Walsingham Abbey Ruin and Gardens, Little Walsingham, Norfolk

Details

Accessibility

"Access in the Abbey Grounds:

A mix of gravel paths, earth paths through woodland and mown grass paths on the meadow. All can be muddy and slippery especially in snowdrop season or after heavy rain. Stout outdoor footwear as for a country walk is recommended.

Dogs are welcome, but must be kept on a lead.

Wheelchair users can reach some, but not all, of the site. There is level access at the entrance.  From the entrance the site slopes gently downhill towards the river as we are in a valley. We have a mix of gravel, grass, and some boarded pathways. The meadow grass path is mown regularly, the woodland paths are mostly unsurfaced trodden earth. The site slopes gently as it spans a river valley, with uphill slope on the return to the entrance.  We have one manual wheelchair available to borrow, please phone, or email or simply ask at the admission desk, if you would like to use it."

Brief description

Walsingham Abbey Grounds, Shirehall Museum, medieval Priory ruins and place of pilgrimage.

"The house is still called the Abbey and is privately occupied, but the surrounding grounds are open to the public.  They contain the ruins of the Augustinian Priory of The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, one of the premier shrines to Our Lady in England, up to its dissolution in 1538.   The Priory was founded c.1153, adjacent to the site where Richeldis de Faverches built the replica of the Holy House following her visions in 1061.

Little remains of the original buildings which were altered in the 13th and 14th centuries, but the most striking feature is the magnificent East Window which gives some indication of the size and importance of the Priory Church (244ft long with both central and western towers).

The Refectory has a fine Early Decorated west window (c1300) and stairs in the wall leading up to the pulpit from which canons were read to during meals. ‘The Crypt’ was in fact a warming room, and has a vaulted ceiling and filled in fireplace clearly visible."

Address

The Shirehall Museum, Common Place, Walsingham, Norfolk NR22 6BP

Email

museum@walsinghamabbey.com

Phone

Telephone at the Museum (when open) 01328 820510

Outside Museum opening hours: Walsingham Estate Office 01328 820259

Website

https://www.walsinghamvillage.org/about/walsingham-abbey-grounds-and-friary

https://www.walsinghamabbey.com/

Directions

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Entry at the High Street Gate

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Walsingham lies about half way, just over four miles, from either Fakenham or Wells-next-the Sea in North Norfolk.

Walsingham Abbey is in the centre of the village of Little Walsingham.

Parking for Cars:

Pay and display at the Mill Car Park, about 2 minutes walk from our entrance. Card payments taken.

Turning into the car park is from Common Place if coming from the south, or via Cokers Hill from Egmere Road if from the west.

Coach park: Walsingham’s coach park is also available for car pay and display parking. Coaches should not enter Walsingham High Street. Please follow signs to the coach park. The coach park gate may be closed at short notice. Please see information on site for admission.

There is a width limit on entry to Walsingham High Street on the Fakenham Road, coach drivers and large vehicles should turn left at this point, the route to the coach park from the south/Fakenham Road is to turn left via Blind Dick’s Lane to Sandy Lane.

Access from the west is via Egmere Road, turning into Sandy Lane opposite the Wells-Walsingham Light Railway station."

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

https://www.walsinghamabbey.com/visitor-information/

"From July 26th 2021: Monday & Wednesday 11am-3.30pm. Tuesday & Thursday-Sunday 11am-4pm

"Open all year

The entrance to the Abbey grounds is at the Shirehall Museum and Tourist Information Centre in Common Place.

The Abbey Grounds and the Shirehall Museum are open daily throughout February, at weekends in March, and daily from April to the end of October.

The Abbey Grounds only are open on weekdays out of season when the Museum is closed.

Admission on weekdays from November to the end of January, and on weekdays in March, is through the Estate Office, in the corner of Common Place adjacent to the Shirehall.

Note that the The Abbey house is not open to the public.

For further information, visit the Walsingham Abbey website. Or visit our local Tourist Information Centre at the Abbey Grounds entrance at the Shirehall Museum (open daily from April to the end of October 11am-4pm) tel. 01328 820510 or the Walsingham Estate Office on 01328 820259."

Transport

"The nearest main railway station is King’s Lynn.  From King’s Lynn Bus service 49 runs to and from Fakenham.  From Fakenham, Bus service Coastliner 36 runs approximately hourly through the day, linking Fakenham to Wells via Walsingham."

Amenities

"Covid 19 Precautions:

We have adapted our entry procedures to ensure we make it as safe as we can here for everyone, visitors and colleagues. We will continue to take these precautions for the time being.

The toilets inside the grounds are closed. Please use the public toilets which are immediately outside the entrance, beside the High Street Gate in Walsingham High Street.

Please use the hand sanitiser available for use at the entrance."

Plenty of Amenities in Walsingham