Walsingham is a picturesque town set on the banks of the River Stiffkey and dotted with ancient religious sites. The village is frozen in time and features cobbled streets lined with timber-framed houses built in the 14th and 15th centuries. Visit the Shirehall Museum housed in the Georgian-style courthouse to learn more about the town’s fascinating past.
Pilgrims have been travelling to Walsingham since the Middle Ages. Founded in the 11th century, the Anglican Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham is one of the oldest Christian worship sites in the country. Within the shrine is the Holy House, a replica of the Nazareth home where Mary and Joseph once lived.
Walk around the grounds of Walsingham Abbey, an ancient Augustinian priory that’s fallen into ruin. Stroll along scenic riverside trails and wander through sun-dappled woodlands carpeted with snowdrops. A tumbledown Norman arch built in the 13th-century soars over the gardens.
Climb aboard the historic Wells & Walsingham Light Railway and enjoy a scenic ride through the North Norfolk countryside. The narrow-gauge steam railway runs between Walsingham and the charming seaside town of Wells-next-the-Sea.
Getting there
Walsingham is in North Norfolk, a one-hour drive from Norwich and three hours from London. The town is compact and easy to get around on foot. Rental cars offer the freedom to visit Walsingham and explore North Norfolk at your own pace.