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Walsingham Priory

Travel Information and nearby accommodation

The ruins of the medieval priory of Walsingham dominate this lovely little Norfolk village, and the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham continues to draw visitors as it has done for almost a thousand years.

In 1061 a woman named Richeldis de Faverches had a vision of the Virgin Mary, in which she was told to build a shrine, a replica of the house lived in by Jesus at Nazareth. This 'Holy House' in Little Walsingham became a centre for pilgrimage from across Europe. The priory was restablished near the shrine in 1253, and the shrine was later enclosed within the boundary of the priory. Numerous monarchs made pilgrimages to the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, including Henry III, Edward II, Edward III, Henry IV, Edward IV, Henry VII, and Henry VIII. That did not stop Henry VIII from dissolving the priory at Walsingham in 1538! When the Sub-Prior, Nicholas Milcham, objected, he was hung outside the priory gates.

The remains of the priory stand within peaceful gardens, and a modern chapel on the site houses an Anglican shrine. The site of the Holy House was discovered during excavations in 1961 and found to lie beside the ruins of the priory. The west front of the priory still stands almost to full height, and is set in beautiful lawns.
Little Walsingham, Norfolk, England, NR22 6BP

About Walsingham Priory
Attraction Type: Abbey
Location: Access directly off the market place, in the centre of Little Walsingham. Thee is a large pay parking lot within a very short walk.
Website: Walsingham Priory
Historic Houses Association
Location map
OS TF933367

Nearest attractions Nearest Towns and Villages Nearest accommodation Nearest Tourist Information Centre

OS map Related Information

Nearest Attractions Little Walsingham, St Marys - 0.2 miles (Church) Binham Priory - 3.5 miles (Abbey) Binham Market Cross - 3.5 miles (Historic Property) Holkham Hall - 4.8 miles (Historic House) Creake Abbey - 5 miles (Abbey) Bloodgate Hill Hillfort - 5.4 miles (Prehistoric) Blakeney Guildhall - 7.4 miles (Historic Property) Stody Lodge Gardens - 8.4 miles (Garden)

Nearest Towns and Villages Little Walsingham - 0.1 miles away Binham - 3.6 miles away Fakenham - 4.5 miles away South Creake - 4.5 miles away Holkham - 4.5 miles away North Creake - 5.1 miles away Wells next the Sea - 5.1 miles away Burnham Thorpe - 5.2 miles away

Nearest Accommodation to Walsingham Priory

Nearest Self Catering Cottages

Lilac Cottage - 4.1 miles from Walsingham Priory Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk Sleeps: 6 Stay from: £310

Bluebell Cottage - 4.1 miles from Walsingham Priory Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk Sleeps: 6 Stay from: £310

Cobblers Cottage - 4.2 miles from Walsingham Priory Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk Sleeps: 4 Stay from: £260

More Self Catering near Walsingham Priory

Nearest Hotels

The Crown Hotel - 4.6 miles from Walsingham Priory Fakenham, Norfolk Stay from: £65.00

Sculthorpe Mill - 4.8 miles from Walsingham Priory Fakenham, Norfolk Stay from: £74.00

The Boar Inn - 6.1 miles from Walsingham Priory Great Ryburgh, Norfolk Stay from: £45.00

More Hotels near Walsingham Priory

Nearest Bed and Breakfasts

The Old Bakehouse Tea Room & Guest House - 0 miles from Walsingham Priory Walsingham, Norfolk From: £40.00

The Orange Tree - 13 miles from Walsingham Priory Thornham, Norfolk From: £45.00

Aldborough Hall - 14.5 miles from Walsingham Priory Thurgarton, Norfolk From: £89.00

More bed and breakfasts near Walsingham Priory

Walsingham
Tourist Information Centre
Shirehall Museum
Common Place
Walsingham
Norfolk
England
NR22 6BP
Tel: 01328 820 510
Seasonal opening
Map