Shrine Of Our Lady Of Walsingham, Norfolk, UK

Ancient Christian Pilgrimage Holy Site in Eastern England

Sep 28, 2009

Saxon noblewoman Richeldis de Faverches had a vision of recreating the house where Jesus's birth was announced by Gabriel. Thus was the legend of Walsingham born.

The current setting of the Shrine dates from 1922, building on nearly a thousand years of tradition of Christian pilgrimage to the site of Richeldis' original Shrine. The original Augustinian Abbey that grew up around that ancient site can be seen next to the Anglican Shrine, and is well worth a visit in its own right. Though it was sacked by Henry VIII in the 16th century, the gatehouse still stands strong in the Abbey gardens, which abound with snowdrops at the end of Winter.

The Modern Anglican Shrine of Our Lady At Walsingham

The shrine itself is an inspirational place welcoming pilgrims and visitors from around the world. Within the Shrine is the Holy House, a recreation of the Nazareth house where Mary discovered from the angel Gabriel that she was to give birth to Jesus. Above the altar is the image of Our Lady of Walsingham, copied from the seal of the mediaeval Priory and carved in 1922. Here pilgrims pray and light candles for those in need. Next to the Shrine is the Holy Well, which was a key part of the original legend. Richeldis was to build her Holy House near where the waters sprang up from the ground.

The gardens around the Shrine have been beautifully laid out, featuring the Beatitude Stations to explore the Passion of Christ. There is accommodation for up to 200 pilgrims at the modernised facilities.

History of Christian Pilgrimage at Walsingham

The story starts with Richeldis' vision of creating a shrine at Walsingham. According to one legend ghostly workers assembled the materials gifted by Richeldis into the Holy House. Succeeding generations built on the shrine, erecting the Priory around it, which became the Augustinian Walsingham Abbey helped by royal patronage over the years, until the reign of Henry VIII, who had it destroyed in 1538.

The religious significance of the site was not lost, however, and four centuries later there was a Roman Catholic pilgrimage to the restored 14th century Slipper chapel nearby, which is now at the middle of the Roman Catholic National Shrine.

Friar Hope Patten, Vicar of Walsingham, had a statue of Our Lady of Walsingham set up in the parish church of St. Mary. As the flow of pilgrims increased, it was moved to a new pilgrimage church on the site of the current Anglican Shrine in 1922. This was enlarged to the Shrine that pilgrims see today.

From 2000 to 2008 the surrounding gardens were improved and the residential facilities for pilgrims improved to the peaceful and well-loved current Shrine Grounds.

Visiting The Anglican Shrine Of Our Lady of Walsingham

The Anglican Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham is an inspirational place to visit and Walsingham is one of the great Christian pilgrimage sites of England. The Shrine Shop just round the corner focuses on the requirements of pilgrims, offering a wide range of Christian books, rosaries and crucifixes. Walsingham is on the B1105 about 5km from the North Norfolk coast, between Fakenham and Well-next-the-Sea.

A Roman Catholic National Shrine to Our Lady is located with the Slipper Chapel at Houghton St Giles, about 2km away.

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