Paul Allford is Chair of the King’s Lynn Town Guides, who have played an important role in championing local history for nearly 50 years. Ahead of a recruitment drive, Paul explains that what unites them is a deep love for the West Norfolk town
What do the King’s Lynn Town Guides do?
Every guide here is a volunteer, dedicating a full year to rigorous training, exams, and assessments before earning their badge and right to call themselves a King’s Lynn Town Guide. Our team hails from all walks of life, but what truly unites us is our deep love for King’s Lynn and an infectious passion to share its story, driving us to shine a spotlight on our fantastic, historical town for everyone, locals and visitors alike. We currently have 32 active guides.
We deliver guided walks in and around King’s Lynn and are open to the public from Easter to the end of October each year. We also deliver private walks at any time of the year, date and time to suit individual’s needs and other group’s requirements. We often put on free walks to support other events that are happening in the town and put on some specific walks aimed at children.
What is the background to the King’s Lynn Town Guides?
Established in 1977 by a group of dedicated individuals, the King’s Lynn Town Guides undertook extensive study of the town’s history to provide informative tours for both locals and visitors. Over time, the organisation has evolved into a formally trained and accredited group, maintaining their core objectives consistent with those of its founding members. Today, the number of guided tours offered has increased to twelve, reflecting both the evolving character of the town and the varied historical interests of a diverse audience.
How important is the work the Town Guides do in the local community?
As a respected organisation within the town, the guides have close links with the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk (BCKLWN) and other providers of culture, leisure and tourism in the town, to help provide a thriving insight into the town’s heritage. We are also involved in several forums and groups as well as other societies and organisations that are concerned with the heritage of the town.
The work done by the Guides helps raise the profile of the town, through online platforms and social media as a ‘go to’ destination in West Norfolk. Annually the Guides deliver walks to over 2,250 individuals, many other groups and clubs and deliver talks to other organisations.
What is the donation ceremony which happens every year?
One of the benefits of the service that Town Guides provides is that any surplus that is made at the end of each year, after operating costs, is donated towards good causes in King’s Lynn.
Funds raised from the walks go towards supporting historic conservation and cultural use in some way as well as the promotion of the town. Each year, during a ceremony at King’s Lynn Town Hall hosted by the Borough Mayor, the Guides donate their surplus proceeds, making this event a regular feature in the King’s Lynn calendar.
How much has been donated to date and who are the latest recipients?
Since 1998, we have guided over 50,000 visitors on walks around King’s Lynn and donated £110,000 to worthy causes.
In 2026, following another successful year of walks, donations totalling £6,800 were presented at the donations ceremony. This year’s recipients were:
- True’s Yard
- Marriott’s Warehouse Trust
- The Minister
- Civic Society
- Hampton Court Residents
- The Jewish Cemetery
- All Saints Church
- The Baden Powell
- Friends of the Walks
- Hansa Club
- Margery Kempe Film
How can people volunteer?
The Guides are just about to undertake a recruitment drive for 6 new guides to start their training in 2026 with a view to being fully fledged, trained and badged guides in the 2027 walking season. If you are interested in becoming a guide, please follow the guides on Facebook, Instagram or their website for more information as it appears.
If you are interested in helping as a volunteer behind the scenes and feel you have something to offer the King’s Lynn Town Guides, then please contact them on kingslynntownguides.co.uk/contact. Anyone interested in discovering more about the town’s past and booking a guided tour with the King’s Lynn Town Guides can find out more at kingslynntownguides.co.uk. Follow @kltownguides on Instagram, YouTube and Facebook.
Featured image of Paul Allford – supplied
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