The rich history of King's Lynn will be brought to life with the opening of a multimillion-pound attraction, Stories of Lynn, on 25 March. And one of the main treasures on display will be the King John Cup, a priceless trophy created in memory of the Magna Carta monarch, who died 800 years ago this October.

Three historic buildings in the town hall complex have been remodelled to provide exhibition and archive spaces dedicated to the heritage of the old Hanseatic port on the North Norfolk coast. Visitors will be able to explore interactive displays and gain greater access to rare documents at the new museum, which will also reveal original architectural highlights of the buildings themselves, uncovered during the works, including a vaulted undercroft and fireplaces with centuries-old copper vessels in situ.

King's Lynn was one of the last places visited by King John just before his death on 19 October 1216. He was indebted to the town for its loyalty, and had granted it a Magna Carta of its own in 1204, eight years before the more famous document was signed at Runnymede. The King John Charter, a replica of which will also be on display in the new museum, gave the town the right to rule itself, transforming it into one of the most powerful ports in the country.

Stories of Lynn will act as a gateway to the town's other heritage sites, which include the Red Mount Chapel, neighbouring King's Lynn Minster, Greyfriars Tower, True's Yard, the Lynn Museum and Marriott's Warehouse.

Visitors to King's Lynn can stay just outside town at Congham Hall Hotel, a luxurious 26-room property set in a Georgian mansion. Rates start from £135 per night, room only, and £219 per night for dinner, bed and breakfast. For full details of all special offers, and to book, visit www.conghamhallhotel.co.uk or call 01485 600250.

Follow developments at Congham Hall Hotel on Twitter at @Congham_Hall and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ConghamHallHotel. For information on Norfolk, go to www.visitnorfolk.co.uk

For further information, hi-res images, or to arrange press trips, please email: travelnews@lbbcreative.co.uk. Alternatively, contact Simone Kane on 07811 161839 and simone@lbbcreative.co.uk, or Kate Simon on 07939 526109 and kate@lbbcreative.co.uk.                    

Notes to editors:

Relaunched in May 2013, the 26-room Congham Hall Hotel sits in 30 acres of parkland, including orchards and its renowned Herb Garden, which has 400-plus varieties and attracts visitors from far and wide. The modernised, 2 AA Rosette, bistro-style restaurant features homegrown produce on its menu and benefits from a sophisticated bar.          

Congham Hall offers five-star service at three-star prices, in stylish but relaxed surroundings. The hotel won Best Small Hotel in the UK at the International Hotel Awards in November 2012 and Best Independent Hotel at the Eastern Daily Press/VisitNorfolk.co.uk Tourism Awards in November 2013. 

Nicholas Dickinson and his team took over Congham Hall in March 2012. The hotel relaunched in May 2013 after completing the last phase of a major refurbishment. Nicholas has spent his entire working life in the luxury hotel business. Early on, he worked at the five-star country-house hotel Chewton Glen and Raymond Blanc's two-Michelin-starred restaurant and hotel, Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons. In 1994, Nicholas formed a partnership with Nigel Chapman, who had developed Woolley Grange in Wiltshire. Together, they created Luxury Family Hotels, which soon became the market leader in the UK for luxury family short breaks, and Alias Hotels, for the stylish mid-market corporate and leisure sectors. Both groups were successfully sold, and Nicholas and Nigel went on to develop Martinhal Resort on Portugal's Algarve. This is Nicholas's first independent hotel project.