About Nelson’s Shantymen

Originally based in the Burnhams—the birthplace of England’s greatest seaman, Lord Horatio Nelson—Nelson’s Shantymen are a dedicated group of vocalists and musicians. We are driven in equal measure by a shared passion for singing and a steadfast commitment to preserving the authentic sea shanty tradition.

Our Sound and Repertoire

True to the original spirit of the shanty, our performances place a major emphasis on the raw power of the human voice. While instrumental accompaniment from the banjo, mandolin, guitar, and harmonica plays an integral role in our performances, it always remains secondary to the natural, robust sound of men singing to ease the burden of their work at sea.

Beyond an extensive collection of traditional sea shanties, our repertoire features songs that celebrate the historic achievements of Lord Nelson, alongside poignant lyrics that chronicle the hardships and realities of the fisherman’s way of life.

A History of Performance

Since our formation in March 2010, Nelson’s Shantymen have performed to widespread acclaim at a variety of venues and festivals throughout Norfolk and beyond. Proud milestones in our performance history include:

2011:Singing at the launch of the new Hunstanton lifeboat, Spirit of West Norfolk.
2013:Appearing at the prestigious international Harwich Sea Shanty Festival.
2015:Performing on the main deck of the SS Gotheborgas part of the Mayor's Reception to close the Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival.
2022:Founding and performing at the Brancaster Staithe Sea Shanty Festival.
2026:Appearing at the renowned Falmouth Sea Shanty Festival.

Singing for a Cause

As a proud non-profit organisation, our primary aim is to raise funds for vital charitable causes. To date, we have raised over £100,000 in support of a diverse range of local and national charities, including:

RNLI, Help for Heroes, Children in Need, Comic Relief, Wells Community Hospital, Tapping House, Campaign Care 94, Nelson’s Journey, Scotty’s Little Soldiers, the Jubilee Sailing Trust, The Bridge for Heroes, Hillside Animal Sanctuary, Kings Lynn Hospital’s League of Friends, East Anglian Children's Hospice, The Big C, East Anglian Air Ambulance, and the QEH King's Lynn Critical Care Unit.

Discography

Over the years, we have proudly captured our evolving sound and growing repertoire across a series of studio recordings:

2012:Singing for Victory(Debut Album)
2014:Nelson's Shantymen
2017:England Expects
2020:Land and Sea(10th Anniversary Album)
2023:Norfolk Tides
2026:Norfolk My Home(Released May 2026)

Hear Us Live

We invite listeners and enthusiasts to join us during our weekly rehearsals. The group can currently be heard practicing most Monday evenings at The Jolly Sailorsin Brancaster Staithe, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.