Bringing Lynn’s legends to life

With its ancient buildings, winding alleys and centuries of maritime history, King’s Lynn seems perfectly designed for ghost stories and tales of the unexplained. 

Strange legends and eerie encounters are woven into the fabric of the town, passed down through local folklore and whispered between generations. From medieval merchants and suspected witches to tales of the devil himself, a darker side of Lynn’s history continues to linger just beneath the surface.

Leading visitors into that world is Nicky Proctor, creator of The Original King’s Lynn Ghost Tour, an enthralling experience that has become one of the town’s most unexpectedly successful attractions. What began as an idea during lockdown has taken on a life of its own, drawing countless participants eager to view familiar streets through a different lens.

“I’ve always been interested in ghosts and the paranormal,” says Nicky. “During the Covid-19 pandemic, I had to pause my work as a nail technician, and I found myself wondering why King’s Lynn, with all its ghost stories, didn’t have an actual ghost tour. Once the idea came to me, I couldn’t stop thinking about it.”

Inspired by ghost walks she’d enjoyed in cities such as York, Nicky set about delving into Lynn’s rich history of hauntings, legends and unexplained happenings. The deeper she dug, the more she uncovered, not only through books and historical records but from residents keen to share experiences of their own.

“As well as researching the well-known tales, I collected eerie first-hand accounts from locals and explored some of the town’s lesser-known haunted spots,” Nicky recalls. “I was amazed by how much I discovered. King’s Lynn is up there with the big cities when it comes to ghost stories; I think we’ve actually got more than York!”

The result is a 90-minute walk covering around 1.8 miles and taking in 26 stops across the town centre. Beginning at the Saturday Market Place and ending at the Tuesday Market Place, the tour blends history, mystery and theatre into an experience that captivates sceptics and believers alike.

Accompanied by her assistant, the wonderfully named Mad Alice, Nicky guides groups through some of Lynn’s oldest streets in full costume, adding just enough drama to enhance the atmosphere of the experience without overshadowing the history at its heart.

Along the route, visitors encounter some of the town’s most intriguing landmarks. Among the darkest is Devil’s Alley, a narrow passageway off King Street wrapped in one of Lynn’s oldest legends. According to local folklore, a priest once cornered the devil there, prompting the enraged creature to stamp its foot so hard that it left an imprint in the ground. The mark has long since disappeared beneath the cobbles, yet something about the alley’s silence makes the tale surprisingly easy to believe.

Another stop steeped in intrigue is Bank House, an elegant Georgian building with a reputation that extends beyond fine dining. Reports of unexplained footsteps, shadowy figures and strange happenings have surrounded the landmark for years, lending it an unmistakable sense of unease once darkness falls.

Many more mysteries are woven into the route, from chills in churches and laughter echoing through former merchants’ warehouses to reminders of the town’s darker chapters, including the brutal fate of those accused of witchcraft. Each location reveals another layer of Lynn’s rich and often overlooked past, yet one holds a particular fascination for Nicky.

“My favourite stop is the creepy cottage tucked behind St Nicholas’ Chapel,” she says. “The whole area has a spooky vibe to it, but I love seeing people’s reactions when I tell them it’s called the Exorcist’s House.”

Once home to a family of 21, the cottage has long been associated with haunting accounts. 

“It’s said to stand on a site where medieval exorcists once battled evil spirits,” Nicky reveals. “Stories linked to the building include reports of strange sounds, unnerving sightings and a ghostly young boy said to appear during the annual Mart fair.”

The twists and turns, hidden histories and shadowy landmarks make The Original King’s Lynn Ghost Tour an experience few are likely to forget. Yet beyond the suspense lies something more meaningful: a sense of admiration for the remarkable heritage woven through the town’s streets.

“I enjoy hosting the tour because so many people, including locals, have never heard about the stories it covers or visited some of the places we stop at,” Nicky says. “I like to think they leave with a different view of the town and appreciate it a little bit more.”

Five years after launch, the tour continues to take place most Thursday evenings throughout the year, attracting sell-out crowds, private bookings and an ever-growing following. Its success even inspired Nicky to establish the Into the Shadows Paranormal Investigations group, extending her passion for the unexplained beyond the weekly walks.

Visit the dedicated Facebook page for The Original King’s Lynn Ghost Tour to learn more and book tickets. Once you’ve heard the tales hidden behind its ancient façades and silent alleyways, you’ll find it difficult to walk through the town in quite the same way again.