Lynn Museum
Museum of West Norfolk history in a Victorian chapel in King’s Lynn, home to the Bronze Age timber circle known as Seahenge.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
King’s Lynn has had a public museum since 1844, when members of the Lynn Conversazione and Society of Arts founded one. It began in Welwick House in Union Street and moved in 1854 to the Athenaeum in Baxters Plain. In 1904 the museum moved a short distance to its present home, the former Union Baptist Chapel, and its Victorian mahogany display cases still line the chapel walls.
The chapel was built in 1859 for a breakaway group of Baptists and Congregationalists. The architect Robert Moffat Smith used an Italianate Gothic style with white and red banded brick. His timber roof was hidden behind a suspended ceiling until 2006.
The museum is run by Norfolk Museums Service and covers the history of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk. Its best-known display is Seahenge, a ring of 55 oak posts from the Early Bronze Age that was uncovered on Holme beach in 1998. Half of the timbers went on display here in 2008 and the central stump two years later. Other galleries cover the archaeology of the area, medieval Lynn and its pilgrims, the Civil War, maritime history, local industry and an art collection.
Highlights
- Seahenge, a Bronze Age timber circle from about 2049 BC
- Archaeology of West Norfolk from the Iron Age to the Anglo-Saxons
- Medieval Lynn as a wealthy port, with pilgrim and Civil War collections
- Maritime history and local industries such as fairground manufacture and glassmaking
- Victorian chapel building with its original display cases
Permanent exhibitions
- Seahenge – The Early Bronze Age timber circle found on Holme beach in 1998, with its 55 oak posts and central stump, conserved and displayed in its own gallery.
- Medieval wealth and pilgrims – Displays on medieval Lynn as a wealthy port at the point where a major river system met the Wash.
- Maritime history and local industry – The role of the port in the West Norfolk economy, and industries such as engineering, fairground manufacturing, glassmaking and brewing.
- Founded
- 1844
- Operated by
- Norfolk Museums Service (Norfolk County Council)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £6.30 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £6.10Over 65s, students and disabled people |
| Children & teens | £5.30free up to age 3 · Child ticket for ages 4 to 18; children under 4 are free. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. |
| Seniors | £6.10Over 65s |
| Visitors with disabilities | £6.10companion free · A companion or carer of a disabled visitor is admitted free. |
| Students & apprentices | £6.10 |
| Groups (12+ people) | –A discounted rate applies to pre-booked groups of 12 or more; group leaders must book directly with the museum. |
| Families | £5.80Family discount adult ticket, available with a paid child ticket. |
| Twilight ticket (one hour before closing) | £2 |
Prices are the on-the-door charges published for 1 April to 30 September; booking online in advance is cheaper (from £5.94 for adults and £5.04 for children). Admission is free with a Norfolk Museums Pass, and also for foster families and looked-after children, Children’s University passport holders, Friends of Norfolk Museums, National Art Pass holders, Museums Association members and home-educating families (conditions apply). Proof of eligibility may be requested.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: not available
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description
The entrance from King’s Lynn bus station has an automatic door, and the galleries are on the ground floor with smooth or ramped access between them. There is no disabled parking at the museum, but there is a drop-off point in the bus station next door. Accessible toilets are off the main gallery. Assistance dogs are welcome and a bowl of water is available at reception. Some objects may be handled, large print guides to the permanent displays are available, and an audio-described tour can be arranged in advance.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 3 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | £5.80 · Family discount adult ticket, available with a paid child ticket. |
Children aged 4 to 18 pay a child ticket and children under 4 are free; children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
King’s Lynn bus station
The museum is next to King’s Lynn bus station and about a 2-minute walk from King’s Lynn railway station.
By car
Parking available
Several well-signposted car parks are near the museum; the museum refers visitors to King’s Lynn & West Norfolk Borough Council for parking information.
- Accessible parking: not available
The museum is in the centre of King’s Lynn, next to the shopping precinct. what3words: puzzle.losses.power.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café: not available
- Restaurant: not available
- Museum shop
There is no cafe on site, but several cafes and restaurants are close by. The museum shop and toilets are on the ground floor.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Audio guide | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Audio guides are available for all visitors. Group leaders must book in advance; cancellations need 14 days’ notice. Learning programmes for schools are described on the museum’s Learning page. |
