King's Lynn Docks Overview and Information

King's Lynn Docks have a rich history dating back to the 16th century. The docks were a major hub for trade and commerce in the region.

King's Lynn Docks are located on the River Great Ouse, which provided a convenient and accessible route for ships to transport goods. The docks were strategically positioned to take advantage of this natural resource.

The docks were a key part of King's Lynn's economy, with the town's prosperity closely tied to the success of the docks. Today, the docks continue to be an important part of the town's identity and heritage.

King's Lynn Docks have a rich history, dating back to the 13th century when it was one of England's most important ports. The port attracted traders from the Hanseatic League, who traded for wool, cloth, and salt.

The port infrastructure developed in the 19th century with the formation of a docks and railway company in 1865. This led to the construction of the Alexandra Dock, completed in 1869, and linked by rail in 1870.

By 1876, over 500 ships were using the new dock each year, a testament to the port's growing importance. The larger Bentinck Dock, with a length of 800 metres, was opened in 1883.

The port's location at the mouth of the River Great Ouse, in the southwest corner of the Wash, makes it an ideal spot for trade and navigation. The port's address is St Ann's Fort, King's Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 1QS.

If you're planning to visit the port, you can get there by road via the A47 to A1, or the A17 to N Midlands. Alternatively, you can take the train, with the nearest passenger rail station just 1.5km away.

Here are some key statistics about King's Lynn Docks:

The King's Lynn Docks are a major hub for trade and commerce in the region. They are located on the River Great Ouse.

The docks are open 24/7, allowing for continuous cargo handling and transportation. This is particularly useful for the busy port, which handles a wide range of cargo including timber, grain, and vehicles.

To access the docks, you can take a taxi or drive, with several car parks available near the port.

The maps used in this article are a treasure trove of information, and I'm grateful to the National Library of Scotland for making them available.

You can observe Kings Lynn Junction on the maps, which is a key part of the Docks line. The Docks line is a vital part of the railway network.

The maps also show the extensive goods yard, which would have been a bustling hub of activity. Goods yards were often the heart of a railway's operations.

Engine sheds are visible on the maps, which would have housed the locomotives that powered the trains. These sheds were often large and complex structures.

The Dereham, Hunstanton, Lynn Ely Cambridge lines are also shown on the maps, which would have connected King's Lynn to other parts of the country.

The key statistics and berthing information for the docks in King's Lynn are quite impressive.

The total port acreage is 97 acres.

You can reach the dockmaster's office for tide times by calling 01553 600100.

The normal acceptance dimension of vessels varies by dock, but here's a breakdown of the key statistics for each:

To communicate with vessels on the water, you can use VHF channel 14, which is the call name for the King's Lynn Dock Channel.