Models of King’s Lynn’s medieval buildings unveilled

Another of Fred Hall's models Hampton Court. Picture: Matthew Usher. (Image: © ARCHANT NORFOLK 2015)

Fred Hall builds remarkable scale replicas of key landmarks in the town, and recently completed pieces of Hanse House and Hampton Court.

Both buildings are close to the South Quay and were bustling areas when the port was a thriving trading hub. Mr Hall has also meticulously researched and interpreted how the buildings would have looked during that time to bring the models to life.

He said: 'Hanse House now has a Georgian frontage but this model is how I imagined the building to look in the 1500s. It is understood that the river used to be much closer to the building which was convenient for the loading and unloading of medieval ships. So I felt that was an important element to include.'

Mr Hall, 82, added: 'Parts of Hampton Court date as far back as the 14th century. But then the other sections were built from the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries with various styles of architecture.'

The Hanse House model was unveiled with the King's Lynn Hanseatic Club and is on display in the foyer of the building's South Quay entrance.

The Hampton Court model has been added to the collection on the first floor of the Marriott's Warehouse alongside a replica of the town's historic quarter during the medieval period.

Mr Hall, of Chapel Lane, West Winch, is a retired carpenter. He has made 16 models in total, including St Nicholas' Chapel, The Exchange and the Lynn Minster.

Dr Paul Richards, local historian and chairman of the King's Lynn Hanseatic Club, said: 'Models gain so much more interest and understanding of a location and show visitors just how many fantastic buildings there are in King's Lynn.'

- Are you working on a heritage project? Email louise.hepburn@archant.co.uk