St Nicholas' Chapel, King's Lynn, Norfolk

Address:
St Ann's Street, King's Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 1LT
How to find us | Access information
Opening times:
Year-round event venue & seasonal visitor attraction, closed to general visitors for the Winter months & reopening Spring 2025 (date tbc). For hire enquiries please email kfinnigan@thecct.org.uk, for all other enquiries contact southeast@thecct.org.uk
  • Andy Marshall
  • Barry Cawston
  • Barry Cawston
  • Barry Cawston
  • Overview
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Nine centuries of treasures in the largest Chapel in England

From the tip of its nineteenth-century spire to its Norman foundations, everything about this town centre chapel is dazzling. Light floods from its magnificent windows into the interior. The vividly coloured picture panels to the east depict 32 scenes from the life of Jesus. Monuments from the seventeenth and eighteenth-centuries, some with startlingly lifelike painted figures, celebrate King's Lynn's seamen, merchants, mayors and shopkeepers and illustrate the town's long history as a busy commercial centre and port.

Among these monuments is a marble urn designed by the famous Scottish architect Robert Adam. The carved woodwork is of such quality that some of it is now in the V&A Museum, but in the Medieval stalls you can still see a collection of creatures that make the green man look tame. Up in the fifteenth-century wooden roof, carved angels with outstretched wings sing and play musical instruments.

At your feet is a fantastic collection of ledger stones. The consistory court in the north-west corner of the chapel is a very rare survival. This dates from 1617 and was where the Archdeacon would judge cases relating to church law.

To donate by text, please text 'KIL' to 70970 to donate £5 and to 70191 to donate £10. Thank you.

Step inside St Nicholas' from home using Google Streetview:

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  • Access information
    Please note that due to the historic nature of our buildings the floors and surfaces may be worn and uneven.  Please take care while enjoying the building. 
  • Disabled access information
    There is ramp access to the south porch entrance and accessible toilet facilities.
  • Facilities & Hire

    During opening hours our dedicated team of Visitor Welcome Volunteers are always happy to help should you need any information or assistamce duriong your visit.

    The building is heated, with wifi, toilet facilities and a kitchenette.

    The Father Henry Willis organ was refurbished in 2018, the tower has a rehung ring of eight bells and there is a Bechstein piano. 

     

    Venue Hire

    The Chapel is available to hire for concerts, performances, exhibitions, markets and social or corporate events, all with a range of catering and refreshment options should you require.  The building offers a magnificent setting for any occasion and acoustic properties are excellent.

    Staging may also be hired by separate arrangement with King's Lynn Festival Chorus.

    If you would like to enquire about venue hire please email us at kingslynn@thecct.org.uk .

  • Directions
    The chapel is to the North of the centre of King’s Lynn on St. Ann’s Street, follow the green signposts located throughout the town.
  • Transport

    Public Transport

    King's Lynn Train Station (10 minute walk)

    King's Lynn Bus Station (10 minute walk)

  • History & Further Information

    Things to see and do

    As well as regular live events there's lots of activities and discoveries to be made at St Nicholas'.  Here are some of the highlights:

    • Use the mobile magnifying mirror to examine the extraordinary angel roof
    • See and hear stories of the past lives of Lynn's notable residents, including the town's seafarers
    • Explore the Consistory Court and dress up to pass judgements on your friends and family
    • Follow trails to find our Bizarre Beasts and Legendary Ledgers

     

    Guides

    This short guidebook contains information on the features and history of the Chapel.

    Kings’s Lynn guide book.pdf

     

     

  • Conservation and Regeneration
    Visit our regeneration project pages for details of the £2.7 million conservation project at St Nicholas' Chapel completed in 2015. 
  • Volunteering Opportunities

    If you are interested in volunteering opportunities at St Nicholas' Chapel please email Kirsty Gauntley, Venue Manager.

     

  • Community information

    Friends of St Nicholas' Chapel

    The Friends' of St Nicholas Chapel seek to help preserve and promote the Chapel.  If you would like information on how to join the friends please visit www.stnicholaskingslynn.org.uk

    Useful local links:

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