The most important English port during the Middle Ages (~14th century) and part of the Hanseatic League, King’s Lynn is full of interesting historic sights. I visited on a wet summer’s day in July, finding many areas of beautiful heritage buildings.

And quite a lot of less beautiful modern buildings, presumably mostly built in areas damaged by bombing in WW2.

Lynn Museum is an excellent regional museum, housed in the former Union Baptist Chapel, though it has been a museum three times longer than a chapel. There is a large display on the so called Seahenge, a circular wooden structure with a large tree trunk in the centre, which was built in the spring-summer of 2049 BC, which is quite mind boggling. The land it was built on disappeared beneath the waves, only to reappear well preserved thousands of years later in 1998.

It had an eclectic collection including one of the oldest stuffed fish in the country, a paper mache model of an Indian temple, Egyptian artifacts, and other items.

I particularly enjoyed the temporary exhibition, May The Toys Be With You, which had one of the UK’s finest collections of vintage Star Wars toys and original cinema posters, from 1977-1985, which brought back lots of childhood memories.

St Nicholas’ Chapel is the largest chapel in England, with beautiful stained glass but unfortunately it was closed when I visited. The tower is the oldest part, dating from the 13th century.

True’s Yard Fisherfolk Museum was a moderately interesting social history museum including a couple of cottages, one of which was originally home to up to 11 people, with 9 children sleeping on one double bed.

The Corn Exchange Theatre and Cinema was built in 1854 by the Tuesday Market Place, renovated in mid 1990s, and had cinemas added in 2020.

Purfleet Quay is home to a statue of George Vancouver, who was born in King’s Lynn, and accompanied Captain James Cook on his second voyage to the Pacific, and led his own along the Pacific north-west, with the city and island of Vancouver named after him.

St George’s Guildhall was in the process of archaeological evacuations and renovation. Dating from the 15th century, it is the UK’s oldest working theatre, and once played host to Shakespeare’s company.

King’s Lynn Town Hall in part dates back to the 15th century though the bulk dates from the end of the 19th century.

The impressive King’s Lynn Minster dates from the 12th to 15th centuries, with a major restoration of the nave in the 18th century.

The nearby village of Castle Rising is home to the 12th century Castle Rising Castle.

This has some of the most impressive earthworks in Britain, and was an atmospheric and enjoyable places to visit, even in heavy rain!