FOSSILIFEROUS CLIFFS IN HUNSTANTON.

The famous red and white chalk cliffs of Hunstanton are a spectacular natural geological feature which are located at the northern end of Hunstanton, in North-east Norfolk, England. The red rock and white chalk is rich in fossils including Echinoids, Fish, Shark, Bivalves, Brachiopods and Ammonites.

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TROPICAL BUTTERFLIES.

These are some of the photographs I took while visiting the Tropical Butterfly,Wildlife and Falconry Centre near where I live. In future blogs I will be showing pictures of animals, birds, birds of prey and reptiles, but first up are Tropical Butterfly's.

BLUE MORPHO.

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GLASSWING.

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HELICONIUS CLYSONYMUS MONTANUS.

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HELICONIUS MELPOMENE.

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OWL BUTTERFLY.

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PARTHENOS SILVIA.

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POSTMAN BUTTERFLY.

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TREE NYMPH.

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TROPICAL BUTTERFLY.

(I am not certain of this butterfly`s name ).

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KING`S LYNN (part two ).

CORN EXCHANGE.

This grade II listed facade of King`s Lynn Corn Exchange, originally built in 1854, is a testimony to the glory of Victorian Architecture. The statue above the magnificent facade is that of Demeter, Greek goddess of the harvest.

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GREYFRIARS TOWER.

The Greyfriars Tower is the only remaining part of the Franciscan Monastery on this site, and one of only three surviving Franciscan Monastery Towers in England and is considered to be the finest. It is grade I listed. Following the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII all such monasteries were demolished. The tower at Lynn remained because it was considered to be a useful seamark by sailors entering the town.

This plan shows what the Franciscan Monastery would have looked like before the Dissolution.

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PUBLIC LIBRARY.

The King`s Lynn Library was funded and opened by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. The library is built on the site of the Greyfriars Monastery and sits adjacent to the remains of the tower. There is a ghostly Monk who reputedly haunts the library's cellar. The library is still in use today and is still the towns main library.

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RED MOUNT.

Sitting in the centre of the Walk`s, King`s Lynn main urban park is this beautiful chapel, also known as our Lady`s Chapel. It is a remarkable building in that it is completely unique and no other building like it can be found. It was built in the 15th century to contain a relic of the virgin, but was also used by pilgrims on their way to Walsingham. It was built by Robert Corraunce on instructions from the Prior of Lynn. The inner core is divided into three storeys and there is an additional cross-shaped aslar building in ancaster stone on top. It is a grade I listed building.

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THE LATTICE HOUSE.

This pub ( originally a 15th century house ) uses the name acquired in 1714 when this ancient building first became an inn. Previously it had been used for centuries by the clerks of the nearby chapel of St Nicholas ( I was going to take photos of St Nicholas Chapel but unfortunately it had scaffolding all around it, undergoing restoration work ). For many years it was called Ye Olde Lattice Inn, until its closure in 1919. It became a public house once again in 1982 and still is a public house to this day.

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TUDOR ROSE HOTEL.

Built around 1500 by a local merchant. The Tudor Rose is typical of almost all Medieval Merchant houses of King`s Lynn in being L shaped. Alterations date from the time of Elizabeth I, classical columns and a wooden canopy were added to the front door. The building was inherited by Thomas Snelling in 1623 from Mathew Clark who is believed to have carried out the remodelling work. A further extension, a modern brick townhouse was added in the 1640s. More alterations were made in Victorian times and in the 1970s the Tudor Rose was saved from decay by the borough council and restored as a hotel and inn. It is one of the most fascinating buildings in Lynn and has the oldest working door in King`s Lynn. A darker more mysterious side to the hotel is that it is the most haunted place in King`s Lynn with a number of ghosts. The hotspots are the restaurant , the back bar and room number seven. One named ghost is the grey lady who haunts the restaurant, rumour has it that she was killed by her newly wed husband. This hotel building is situated near the Tuesday Market Place, as well as being famous for its market and a fair every year, the market place was also the place for public executions and the burning and hanging of witches. One story that has been told in Lynn for many years is the story of a hanging of a witch where her heart burst out of her body onto a building facing the square now in St Nicholas street. Today there is a carved sign in the square in the shape of a heart which represents where the so called witches heart landed on the wall.

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GUANNOCK GATE.

The Guannock Gate was originally part of the towns defences. Guannock is the name for the bank which formed part of these defences.

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St JOHNS CHURCH.

St Johns cost £5,000 to build and is constructed of Yorkshire stone brought up river by boat. It was meant to seat over one thousand poor people with no class barriers.

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WAR MEMORIAL.

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THE VANCOUVER GARDEN ORNAMENTAL BANDSTAND.

This bandstand is situated in a 1920s garden. This garden is named after George Vancouver a sailor and explorer born in Lynn in 1757. He sailed with Captain Cook and during his own great voyage ( 1791-95 ) established British Interests in North West America, where he is remembered by Vancouver City and Vancouver Island in Canada and the town of Vancouver in Washington State, USA.

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KING`S LYNN.

King`s Lynn in England is often missed, as many pass by on their way to the Norfolk coast, Norwich or the Norfolk Broads. But to miss King`s Lynn is a big mistake, originally known as Lin. A first settlement was established and in 1101, Bishop Herbert Losinga (the same bishop that established Norwich Cathedral ) founded St Margaret`s Church and the town became known as Bishop Lin. Trade built up quickly around the waterways and a few years later a second settlement was established to the north. Lynn now consisted of two Medieval settlements, each with its own church and marketplace. In 1537 King Henry VIII decided he would take control of the town from the Bishop of Norwich and it became known as King`s Lynn and the town grew rich from the trade within Britain and abroad. By the Middle Ages, the town ranked as the third port of England and was considered as important as Liverpool. Although the town`s importance declined from this heyday, King`s Lynn today is still an important regional centre for a largely sparsely populated part of England.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE LOVELY OLD BUILDINGS IN KING`S LYNN.

CUSTOMS HOUSE

The King`s Lynn custom house is one of the towns most iconic landmarks. It was designed by architect Henry Bell and built by Sir John Turner in 1683. The building is now used to house the Tourist Information Centre. It is a grade 1 listed building. The architect Nikolaus Peusner once described it as one of the most perfect buildings ever built.

Figure of King Charles II over the entrance to the building.

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HAMPTON COURT.

Located not far from King`s Lynn Minster, Hampton court is a grade I listed group of buildings ( my photo only shows one side of the buildings ) forming a quadrangular shape which were built up over a period of 300 years. The south wing was constructed first, consisting mainly of 14th century merchants house and is thus the earliest surviving section. The west wing was constructed towards the end of the 15th century, probably as a warehouse. The east wing was also constructed at the end of the 15th century, initially used as shops. The east wing now has an arch that leads into the courtyard. The north wing completed the courtyard a century later. It is believed the building takes its name from John Hampton, a master baker who became a freeman in 1645. In 1962 Mrs Lane who had purchased the buildings, donated the entire buildings to the King`s Lynn Preservation Trust who converted them into 15 individual dwellings.

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HANSEATIC WAREHOUSE.

Located on St Margaret`s Lane, the Hanseatic Warehouse is the only surviving Hansa building in England. It was constructed in 1475, as part of the treaty of Utrecht allowing Hansa to establish a trading depot in Lynn for the first time. It was used as such until 1751, it was then sold to Lynn merchant Edward Everard for £800. He added the Georgian town house at the east side of the building which is now known as St Margaret`s House ( grade 1 listed ) after the nearby church. In 1971 it was renovated as part of a preservation project and converted into offices by the Norfolk County Council. It is currently used by the council for various functions, including weddings, as it houses Lynn`s Register Office.

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THE VALIANT SAILOR.

A 15th century building in Nelson Street. It probably became a public house in the late 1600`s but ceased to be licensed  in 1925. The well known artist Walter Dexter lived here until his tragic death in 1958.

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TOWN HALL and TRINITY GUILDHALL.

The town hall of King`s Lynn has existed since the early 15th century, between 1422 and 1428 when the Guildhall of the Holy Trinity was built. It is the most prominent feature of the town hall today with its steep arched roof, large window and chequered patterned exterior. The building was enlarged in 1624, when an extension with the same chequered style was added which now forms the main entrance to the town hall. The Guildhall is grade II listed. The arms of Elizabeth I can be seen above the main window on this building. They were removed from St James Church on 7th August 1624. The arms of Charles II are above them - they were added 40 years later. There was a further expansion added in 1895.

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KING`S LYNN MINSTER.

King`s Lynn Minster formally St Margaret`s Parish Church is dedicated to St Margaret of Antioch. The church is grade 1 listed. The church is located in King`s Lynn, England. The church was established by Herbert De Losinga, bishop of Norwich in 1095 to serve as a Benedictine Priory. After the English Reformation , The church became the parish church for the town of King`s Lynn. The church was given the title King`s Lynn Minster in 2011, before then it was known as St Margaret`s Parish Church. In 1741 the central lantern and south - west spire collapsed. There was rebuilding in 1745 - 46 by architect Matthew Brettingham. There was further work on the church in 1875 by George Gilbert Scott who added the spire.

Entrance Gates leading to the Minster.

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The Minsters unique Tide Clock.

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