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- King's Lynn, Norfolk (St Nicholas' Chapel)
From the tip of its 19th-century spire to its Norman foundations, everything about this town centre church 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 17th- and 18th-centuries, some with startlingly life-like 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 famous Scottish architect, Robert Adam.
The carved woodwork was 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 15th-century wooden roof, carved angels with outstretched wings sing and play musical instruments. One holds a recorder –- the earliest ever portrayal of the instrument in church carving.
At your feet is a fantastic collection of ledger stones including one dedicated to Robinson Cruso.
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 locate this church on a map, click on the 'View on map' link that appears below the address information at the top of the page.
The chapel is to the north of the centre of King's Lynn, close to the Saturday Market Place on St Ann's Street
Nearest railway station: King's Lynn (10 minutes'walk). Bus station in Vancouver Centre by Sainsbury's (10 minute walk). Bus route numbers 2/4/35/44/C1/CH from local bus station.
TF 61845 20467
30/01/12
Loyd Grossman and Cllr Colin Sampson the Mayor of King's Lynn together with Sir Jeremy Bagg launched the fundraising appeal…
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
Click on images to view larger
The CCT is grateful to the Flickr group, Friends of the Churches Conservation Trust, for the images shown here. CCT is not responsible for the quality or content of images taken from Flickr.
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
Why not make your visit more enjoyable and informed by finding out more about this church and the CCT before you visit?
You can download a range of publications below including the relevant county guide, and any walk round guides we have for this church.
Norfolk County Guide (PDF, 4.9mb)
This free of charge short guide contains details of all the churches CCT cares for in Norfolk. Printed copies of the county guide are also available at the church.
St Mary's Church, Islington, Norfolk
A romantic partial ruin
Church of St Mary the Virgin, Wiggenhall, Norfolk
Carved saints and a broken heart
St Andrew's Church, Walpole, Norfolk
A handsome old church
Sandringham Estate
Heritage site
Peckover House
National Trust property
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
All our Norfolk churches are in CCT’s South East region.
Norfolk Broads Official Tourist Information
Norfolk & Norwich Archaeological society
Norfolk Family History Society
Reference of historical & archaeological societies in Norfolk
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
If the access information for this church is listed as 'Keyholder nearby', this means that the key is kept by one of our invaluable volunteer 'keyholders', who usually live just a short walk from the church and can give visitors the key; sometimes this is a nearby hotel, pub, library, art gallery or other venue. You will find instructions explaining how to get the key when you arrive at the church.
There is a temporary ramp available in the south porch for wheelchairs.
Due to the historic nature of our buildings, only a very small number of them have heating or running water meaning that they can be cold, and very rarely have toilet facilities. The lighting is usually operated via a 'push button' timer or a motion sensor. We do apologise for any inconvenience the lack of facilities may cause.
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EC1A 9EE
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central@tcct.org.uk
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This is an astonishing place - very early Perpendicular - built 1380-1410 - and the size of a small cathedral. The stonework details of the doors and windows are exceptional, and c.1400 bench ends and doors survive in use. Huge number of ledgerstones - and several Robinson Cruso burials for a local family. And then there is the roof - is this the earliest "angel roof" in East Anglia? - much earlier than the tiered hammerbeams of Swaffham or March. 22 angels float out over the vast nave, many still with musical instruments in their arms.
"Worth a diversion", as Michelin would say...