The Shirehall Museum, Walsingham Abbey, Little Walsingham, Norfolk

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Accessibility

Brief description

The Shirehall Museum in Common Place provides the main entrance and ticket office for the Abbey Grounds as well as the Tourist Information Centre, and a gift shop.

Admission to the Shirehall Museum is included with admission to Walsingham Abbey Grounds.

Shirehall Museum and Prison, Walsingham:

During the 18th and 19th centuries Walsingham was a thriving legal and administrative centre, with the Quarter and Petty Sessions held in the Shirehall in Common Place.  Walsingham is very unusual in having both a Georgian Courthouse and House of Correction (Bridewell).

The building has undergone many adaptations in its long life. It was most probably originally built in the early 16th century as a hostel for important visitors, perfectly positioned only 80 feet away from the priory church.

Prisoner in Walsingham prison: It had two storeys with stained glass Perpendicular windows in the upper storey and a fine open timber-framed roof (now concealed) to a great first floor hall.

In the 1770s a Georgian façade was added when the building was converted into the Shirehall for the Quarter sessions. These were held here from 1778 until 1861, and the Petty Sessions until 1974.

The Georgian Courtroom has survived unaltered since it was last used, complete with a lock-up cell where a defendant waits to come before the magistrate. It is now a hands-on museum where you can put yourself in the dock or play the judge.

The museum has a comprehensive display on Walsingham as a place of pilgrimage, as well as local artefacts and photographs and displays on the history of village law and order."

Address

Email

Phone

Website

https://www.visitnorfolk.co.uk/Walsingham-The-Shirehall-Museum/details/?dms=3&feature=1002&venue=0017171

https://www.walsinghamvillage.org/about/shirehall-museum-and-prison/

Directions

Opening Times

Always check with the venue directly for up-to-date information including opening times and admission charges as they may be subject to change

Transport

Amenities