Heritage Open Day 2026

A look back at Heritage Open Day (Sunday), with plenty of photographs.

When this was first built, around the year 1400, this was a warehouse that fronted directly on to the river. The line of the river has shifted west by about 75 metres, and this process was advanced enough by 1700 for this to no longer serve its original purpose. This arcade frontage is the only one of its kind left anywhere in England.

Sunday was this year’s Heritage Open Day. King’s Lynn’s official brochure for the day featured a total of 64 sites. This post looks back at the day as it unfolded for me. I end this introduction with a picture of the map from the brochure:

The map from the official brochure for Heritage Open Day in King’s Lynn.

GETTING STARTED

I set off from home at 9:30AM, going by way of Bawsey Drain since my first definite target was the Tuesday Market Place, where I could pick up my brochure and look at the classic car display there. Along the way I passed True’s Yard, and went in (no pictures as they have a no photography policy) and passed the outside of St Nicholas Chapel…

A BUS RIDE

Just as I was thinking about moving on from the classic cars I spotted an old London Transport Routemaster bus picking up passengers, and as it was raining lightly and I could do with being under cover I decided to board it.

STARTING TO EXPLORE SITES

I began my explorations on King Street with one place that was well known to me and one that was new to me…

An Austin Seven – known to bridge fans as the make of car driven by Abbot Hugo Yorke-Smith of the Monastery of St Titus!
This building of Norman origin is one I know well and always enjoy visiting.
This picture marks the start of my perusal of Chequer House, previously unknown to me.

THORESBY COLLEGE AND THE RIVERSIDE

I reacquainted myself with Thoresby College on my way to the riverside , where I took the opportunity to go down on to the pontoon jetty to hear about the Baden Powell, an old cockling boat that has been extensively renovated in recent years and now runs trips from the town to The Wash, where at the right time of year seals can be observed.

I considered a second bus ride, but this one was going to North Runcton, so I decided against it in the end.
These last pictures are from Hanse House.

LUNCH AND A COUPLE OF OUTLIERS

I lunched at Roasta Food Court, on my way to the old library, which I was keen to see again, and I then reacquainted myself with the Red Mount Chapel…

BACK TO THE TOWN CENTRE AND STEWARDING

By this point I was thinking in terms of being ready for my stewarding, at The Secret Garden, Hampton Court, from 2PM to 4PM, but I made one more call, at Sommerfeld & Thomas, a long neglected warehouse which is currently being renovated, and spent some time in the environs of the Saturday Market Place. By this time the weather had long since cleared up, and for the two hours I was stewarding it was genuinely hot. I had some interesting history to tell folks as part of my stewarding, and The Secret Garden proved a popular port of call – about 350 people had visited before I started stewarding, and that was increased by over 200 in the two hours I was there. I had enjoyed my day, but it was also tiring.

A shot of part of the Guildhall of the Holy Trinity aka King’s Lynn Town Hall.
Medieval music
This instrument, similar in size to a violin save for the much deeper bowl (it also has only three strings rather than four) is carved from a single piece of wood.
A rather better known stringed instrument.
Sommerfeld and Thomas
The real star of The Secret Garden – 600 years ago when it was built these arches faced directly on to the river and were completely open, enabling direct transfer of goods from boats to the mercantile premises that Hampton Court then consisted of. By about the year 1700 the line of the river had changed too much for these to serve their original function, and the transition to private residences was underway. This arcade frontage is the only one of its kind anywhere in England.

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Author: Thomas

I am a founder member and currently secretary of the West Norfolk Autism Group and am autistic myself. I am a very keen photographer and almost every blog post I produce will feature some of my own photographs. I am an avidly keen cricket fan and often post about that sport.

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