Hidden Corners Of Old Lynn

King's Lynn in North Norfolk, or just plain Lynn to the locals who resolutely ignore the fact that it's been King's Lynn for over four-and-a-half centuries, is a town with a long and distinguished history. It had six monastic houses, it was once the third or forth largest sea port in England and had a large fishing fleet. Its former wealth is reflected in the many fine merchants' houses which have survived. Nowadays, despite being an important shopping centre serving a large area, it retains much of its medieval charm.

   Nelson Street and neighbouring Priory Lane

have many fine old houses.

Pilot Street (above) is nothing to do with airlines;

the pilot was the man who guided ships into the harbour.

'Tis spring!

One of many alleys leading between houses.

I couldn't resist poking my nose into them!

The Duke's Head Hotel on Tuesday Market Place,

one of two market places in the town.

An impressive, if somewhat battered and faded, sign above

Wenn's Hotel, parts of which date back to the 

early eighteenth century.

Part of a quadrangle named, rather grandly, Hampton Court.

Parts date back to the 1300s and contained

 a brewhouse and a bakery as well as a house.

By the 1950s it was deteriorating rapidly but 

has since been restored.

Another of those enticing alleys!

A crooked house on Pilot Street.

May Cottages stand along a very narrow

passageway leading from Nelson Street.

Beam ends exposed on an outside wall.

I saw several of these,
an unusual feature.

These old houses and warehouses have been

converted into art galleries and a restaurant.

Flowers in one of the parks.

King's Lynn has some fine open spaces and walks.

Well, there had to be at least one window photograph!

Built in 1605 and probably the last timber-framed house

to be built in Lynn.

It goes by the unusual name of

"The Greenland Fishery";

It was once a pub popular with men who fished those waters.

Another alley!

Ships' lanterns hang outside the

Crown & Mitre pub.

The 'S&P' on the sign probably refers to

Steward and Patteson's brewery,

though they went out of business back in the 1960s.

The entrance to Hampton Court (above).

But of the fishermen's cottages in Lynn's North End nothing remains

apart from these two which are now part of True's Yard Fisherfolk Museum.

Photography was not allowed inside but I spoke to a man

whose family had lived in the North End for 300 years.

He certainly knew his town and as well as suggesting other 

places to go he also was able to answer my questions about the place.

More next time!

Take care.