Norfolk tulips near King's Lynn draw records crowds in 2024

And as their fields near King's Lynn burst into colour, Norfolk's tulips are set to be seen by record crowds.

The tulip fields near King's Lynn ablaze with colour (Image: Chris Bishop)

Extended opening times have seen organisers almost double the numbers from last year's 15,000 slots to see the blooms.

But Niki Ellis, chief executive of the Norfolk Hospice which the colourful show is in aid of, said it was still unable to accommodate everyone who tried to apply.

The fields were popular with couples taking pictures (Image: Chris Bishop)

"I think we had 150,000 people trying to buy them, so we have a one in six success rate, despite 10,000 extra tickets," she said.

READ MORE: See drone pictures of the tulip fields

She added last year's event raised £150,000, while the hospice hopes this year's will raise £200,000 towards its £3.5m-a-year running costs.

Tulip grower Lewis Eves (Image: Chris Bishop)

Lewis Eves was one of growers who planted 6.5m bulbs, using satellite tracking equipment to ensure the correct spacing between them.

The flowers will be cut down after the show ends on April 29. Bulbs will then be harvested and placed into cold storage, before being allowed to sprout later in the year to provide cut flowers for supermarkets.

A woman poses for a picture in the tulip fields (Image: Chris Bishop)

 "It's quite crackers," he said, surveying the hundreds of visitors on the opening day.

"We're starting to hear about people coming from abroad, the furthest we heard of last year was someone who'd come over from France."

Bindu Kalaraj admires the tulip fields (Image: Chris Bishop)

Visitors Kalaraj Kuttikrishnan and his wife Bindu Kalaraj had come from Peterborough to see the tulips.

"We went to the Netherlands last year but it wasn't as good, not as beautiful as this," he said.

A woman takes a selfie among the tulips (Image: Chris Bishop)

"Most of our friends wanted to come but they couldn't get a ticket, we were in a queue for over an hour."  

Peter and Jane Bridger had come from Solihull in the West Midlands for the day.

Jane Bridger from Solihull admires the tulip fields (Image: Chris Bishop)

Mr Bridger said the display rivalled Holland's legendary bulb fields.

"We have been to Keukenhof but this is different," he said. "It's really quite impressive." 

A woman strolls through the tulips with a parasol (Image: Chris Bishop)