Norfolk {part 5}

From Castle Rising I cycled on trying to follow National Cycle Way 1. Not easy there seems to be an assumption that cyclist can see 42 by 2 inch sign stuck to post half hidden in the bushes, it wasn't till I cycled back that I realised where I missed the route. 
I arrived at the eastern end of 'The Walks' in Kings Lynn where I found these two wonderful sculptures

My target was Red Mount Chapel started in 1483 and completed in 1485 to provide accommodation for pilgrims on route to Walsingham.

The first three shots are a pan around the lower floor  

The upper floors are reached by a spiral staircase in the wall with a fantastic brick hand rail

The first floor contains two small rooms that were used by the resident priest really too small for me to get any decent photos. The top floor Upper Chapel wasn't completed until 1504. It's an amazing place with vaulted ceilings and a cruciform roof.

This window allowed the visiting pilgrims on the landing outside to watch the priest performing the mass. Don't understand why they were not allowed into the chapel that wasn't explained.

If any one thinks that graffiti is a modern phenomenon then look at the dates on these.

1885

1711

Has my brother been here?

1704

From Red Mount Chapel I cycled to South Gate the only remaining gate on Kings Lynns town wall.

From South Gate I cycled across town to the River Ouse to try and find the last remaining Tudor Merchants Tower in Kings Lynn

Then I went back to the Old Customs House to look at the exhibition there

 I then cycled back to Sandringham if you would like to see my route its HERE and information about Red Mount Chapel Here

Norfolk {part 4}

SO on the Wednesday I decided to prove the theory that Norfolk was flat and cycle back to Kings Lynn via Castle Rising I've since discovered that Sandringham is approx 131ft above sea level and Kings Lynn about 16!

Moat at Castle Rising

The Keep at Castle Rising

Detail on Keep

Fore-keep entrance

Looking down the Fore-Keep stairs at Castle Rising

This arch was originally the entrance to the great hall until the 16 hundreds when it was blocked up and became a fire place The tiles where placed here in the 19C 

Window looking toward the site of the Norman Church and Castle Rising Village

Window detailing

 

Site of Norman Church which was demolished to allow the building of the Castle. If you look very carefully on the sky line just to the right of the big tree what looks like grey clouds is actually 'The Wash'

Entrance Gate

 

The Village

From the Castle I went down into the village to look at the Church which was built to replace the Norman one in what is now the Castle. I couldn't get a good shot of the whole building but look at the detailing above the door and you can see its connection to the castle.

From Castle Rising I continued trying to follow National Cycleway 1 Kings Lynn. Unfortunately someone has decided that cyclist don't need signs or that they can see through trees, so I lost the route on at least one occasion, but did manage to end up where I wanted to.

The route I took can be found Here more of my solo trip to Kings Lynn tomorrow.

Norfolk {part 3}

So forgot to take my camera out on Monday so no photos! Tuesday started wet so we drove to Kings Lynn to have a look around. 
King's Lynn, originally known as ‘Lin', is thought to have derived its name from the Celtic word for a lake or pool, and it is recorded that a large tidal lake originally covered this area.  
By the time we got there it had dried up and we discovered a really historic town not sure I can remember what all the buildings are but here goes.

Kings Lynn Conservancy Board offices at Common Staithe Quay {Spot the Tautology}

The Purfleet and The Customs House now the TIC

Sculpture next to The Purfleet

The next picture is for context only look for the little metal plate under the notice board

Now read it!

Barbara would have had very wet feet in December 2013!!!

Most of the photos here are in the 'Old Town' founded in 1101, The 'New Town' wasn't started till the late 12C and named Bishops Lynn in 1204 Henry VIII renamed it Lynn Regis which was latter changed to Kings Lynn

Three Crowns Square {is that what it cost}

The old Town hall love the chequerboard brick work

And next to it the Old Town Gaol

The Minster

See how they straightened the tower as they built
{this is not lens deformation} 

My  great nephew loves Orange and this was an orange house!!!

There are many properties like this built round a court yard

Old Priory Gate Cottages

The rear of the Minster shows the same corrections to vertical as the front!!

Not part of the original Grey Friars these arches where moved here following the demolition of the original.

Public Library built with money from Andrew Carnegie 

The Walks a large park in the centre of Kings Lynn

For more information on the Architecture of Kings Lynn

http://www.visitwestnorfolk.com/explore/kings-lynn/architecture