Central features of the trail are the five steel engraved stainless steel plaques by artist Lyndall Phelps. On them are motifs taken from four religious buildings in Lynn: a wooden ceiling boss showing a seated Christ from All Saints’ Church, a dog pictured on a monumental brass from King’s Lynn Minster, mouldings from the fine ceiling of the Red Mount Chapel, a decorated stone corbel from Greyfriars Tower and a carved ship on a wooden bench end from St Nicholas’ Chapel. The fifth plaque is an image of a medieval cogge bringing pilgrims across the Wash.
The plaques are on or near the building they are associated with.
Along the way are a series of green plaques which describe the sites, locations and houses of pilgrimage and religious interest highlighted on the map which guides you through the town.
Other buildings of note which you will see on the trail have been included and some little oddities which may enhance your walk.
To make the trail easier to walk, it divides into four parts:
The First Medieval Town
Founded by Bishop Losinga of Norwich in about 1100. The Minster, the Saturday Market Place and Trinity Guildhall are central to this early small settlement.
Although not part of this first town or even built until much later (15th century), the Red Mount Chapel is in this first medieval town walk. Not only is it unique, but the lovely historic park land on the east side of the town is well worth visiting.
The Newland
So successful was this first town that a second was founded about 50 years later. St Nicholas’ Chapel, the Tuesday Market Place and the Guildhall of St George are found within this larger second settlement.
South Lynn
Once under the lordship of the Earl of East Anglia, briefly King Harold II, it was bestowed upon Ralph de Toeni following the Norman Conquest. However, the name ‘South Lynn’ is not known to have come into use until the 13th century to distinguish it from Bishop’s Lynn. The parish extended south to Seche Parva (Saddlebow) and was largely agricultural. Formerly known as ‘All Hallows,’ the old English name for All Saints, the church is the oldest foundation in the town. This parish, the area of town known as The Friars, was an independent village prior to 1555, when it became part of the town of King’s Lynn.
Further afield
For those who enjoy walking, some religious and pilgrim sites further afield have been included.