Walsingham Abbey
Walsingham Abbey
4.5
Monday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Walsingham Abbey Grounds surround the ruins of the historic Augustinian Priory of our Lady, England's most famous medieval pilgrimage shrine. The landscape garden, woods and river walks are also renowned for the white carpets of naturalised snowdrops which offer stunning displays in February. Admission includes the Shirehall Museum, originally a pilgrim hostel, which was converted into a Courtroom in Georgian times, and was in use as a court up to the 1970s. Today the Shirehall is Walsingham's museum of the history of pilgrimage and of local law and order. Also on display, Walsingham 950 time line tracing village history since 1061.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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4.5
205 reviews
Excellent
115
Very good
56
Average
23
Poor
8
Terrible
3
gnuttgens
Porthcawl, UK3 contributions
Sept 2021
The gardens and ruins were very nice, but what we really came to see was the museum, which was closed. We assumed that the museum was included in the price of entry to the abbey, but there was no indication anywhere that the museum was closed. The museum was included as part of the abbey visit on local leaflets, so we assumed it would be open - or at least that there would be a reduced price to reflect the fact that it was closed.
We asked, and received, our money back.
We asked, and received, our money back.
Written 16 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
w0tcha
Ampthill, UK581 contributions
Sept 2022
The Abbey grounds are peaceful to wander around. I would imagine that September is not the time of year to see them at their best, but even so worth a visit. The Shirehall museum is a bit run down and underwhelming, but a few interesting exhibits showing the old court house and the history of the town. Entry is free if you are a HHA member.
The town itself is nice to wander around with some interesting architecture in the centre and a few shops and tearooms.
The town itself is nice to wander around with some interesting architecture in the centre and a few shops and tearooms.
Written 27 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James S
7 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Shelling out £12 for a couple might be par for the course at most visitor attractions these days but usually there’s something to see once inside.
Here, what remains is few and far between, much of it doctored to match a 19th century aesthetic.
The vision-inspired shrine that motivated the establishment of the priory lies under a grass mound, marked by a mossy wooden tablet and missable notice.
The imposing arc of the east window: almost the only discernible fragment. The crypt: ruined by redundant exhibition panels. The flower borders: riddled with ground elder. The adjoining ‘museum’: abandoned. The former court house: left to rot.
I think the attitude of the owners of this relic can be summed up by the experience of the disabled toilet user, of which I am one. The signage — alluding to past grandeur — points clearly to a facility that, after navigating broken concrete ramps and stinging nettle covered guide rails, leads to a hand scrawled note on the loo door telling me the toilets are out of order.
Paying visitors deserve to be indulged. What should be a principal destination for discovering information about the Christian faith and English history deserves a reformation.
If you want to see a fabulous priory ruin, or your on a budget, have a quick glance through the gateway and save your pennies for Castle Acre Priory.
Here, what remains is few and far between, much of it doctored to match a 19th century aesthetic.
The vision-inspired shrine that motivated the establishment of the priory lies under a grass mound, marked by a mossy wooden tablet and missable notice.
The imposing arc of the east window: almost the only discernible fragment. The crypt: ruined by redundant exhibition panels. The flower borders: riddled with ground elder. The adjoining ‘museum’: abandoned. The former court house: left to rot.
I think the attitude of the owners of this relic can be summed up by the experience of the disabled toilet user, of which I am one. The signage — alluding to past grandeur — points clearly to a facility that, after navigating broken concrete ramps and stinging nettle covered guide rails, leads to a hand scrawled note on the loo door telling me the toilets are out of order.
Paying visitors deserve to be indulged. What should be a principal destination for discovering information about the Christian faith and English history deserves a reformation.
If you want to see a fabulous priory ruin, or your on a budget, have a quick glance through the gateway and save your pennies for Castle Acre Priory.
Written 19 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike D
Worcestershire, UK12 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
Without any hesitation this place is the biggest tourist rip off I’ve ever come across.
So, I’m into my history and whilst on holiday, took the chance to visit the Abbey ruins. I’ve seen all their advertising and marketing, (Abbey ruins, archaeology, gardens, parkland etc..) and saw this as ‘my type of place’ to visit. I was initially shocked at the entry fee, £20 per person. But thought, wow, this really must be something worth seeing. Oh, how wrong was I!
Firstly, the illustrated map looked inviting. But, the 40 or so building featured were not accessible, nor was the very large mansion. Access to the grounds was equally as bad, some 25% of the land shown on the map is actually private grounds of the mansion and off limits. The gardens were shabby, unkept and overgrown with weeds and what was left of the parklands was nothing more than a couple of fields. Facilities are appalling, no café or refreshments and the toilets were disgusting and a shambles, much like the loos you would have found in a municipal park in the 60’s and 70’s. There was also, very few seats or benches to sit on.
Now for the much advertised history. What history? No staff or volunteers to talk to. No information boards; and nothing to see! Apart from the East window arch, there is nothing, everything is covered in a lawn. There was a ‘timeline’ board in the ‘crypt’. But that was very poor, it’s vague and in places inaccurate in it’s information. The ‘history’ is even whitewashed and only starts from the period of the alleged ‘vision’ and seems to have ignored the previous 3,000 years of history of this particular site being of significant religious worship. I also say ‘crypt’ begrudgingly, because it isn’t a crypt. A crypt has a very defined architectural label; this was a ground floor room of indeterminable age and repair and of no standing. All in all shambolic at best; but more accurately, a complete and utter rip off. This place is nothing more than a municipal park for which you are being charged £20 to visit. Save your money and visit any number of council owned parks in the area.
So, I’m into my history and whilst on holiday, took the chance to visit the Abbey ruins. I’ve seen all their advertising and marketing, (Abbey ruins, archaeology, gardens, parkland etc..) and saw this as ‘my type of place’ to visit. I was initially shocked at the entry fee, £20 per person. But thought, wow, this really must be something worth seeing. Oh, how wrong was I!
Firstly, the illustrated map looked inviting. But, the 40 or so building featured were not accessible, nor was the very large mansion. Access to the grounds was equally as bad, some 25% of the land shown on the map is actually private grounds of the mansion and off limits. The gardens were shabby, unkept and overgrown with weeds and what was left of the parklands was nothing more than a couple of fields. Facilities are appalling, no café or refreshments and the toilets were disgusting and a shambles, much like the loos you would have found in a municipal park in the 60’s and 70’s. There was also, very few seats or benches to sit on.
Now for the much advertised history. What history? No staff or volunteers to talk to. No information boards; and nothing to see! Apart from the East window arch, there is nothing, everything is covered in a lawn. There was a ‘timeline’ board in the ‘crypt’. But that was very poor, it’s vague and in places inaccurate in it’s information. The ‘history’ is even whitewashed and only starts from the period of the alleged ‘vision’ and seems to have ignored the previous 3,000 years of history of this particular site being of significant religious worship. I also say ‘crypt’ begrudgingly, because it isn’t a crypt. A crypt has a very defined architectural label; this was a ground floor room of indeterminable age and repair and of no standing. All in all shambolic at best; but more accurately, a complete and utter rip off. This place is nothing more than a municipal park for which you are being charged £20 to visit. Save your money and visit any number of council owned parks in the area.
Written 25 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Quest60562930347
2 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
Snowdrops lovely but staff rude, ignorant and unhelpful. Despite 2 in the paydesk they both ignored us stood waiting for over 5 minutes, a simple acknowledgement would have been fine but nothing. Signage to and from the Abbey is non existent, and the signs are conflicting around the carpark regarding direction and entrance and exit, roads are dicey enough without confusion. Be aware all surrounding roads are flooded, some over a foot deep, a warning on the website given visitor volume currently would be an idea as many were evidently not local and caught out by floods
Written 10 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Katie W
34 contributions
Nov 2024 • Couples
Interesting and beautiful place that is worth a visit. We were hesitant to go in as we aren’t religious people but we were pleasantly surprised. There is lots of interesting history and the grounds are stunning. We enjoyed walking our dog through the woods and taking a picnic under the trees. If you’re in Walsingham it is definitely worth a visit. It’s wonderful and we are so glad we went. Thank you!
Written 2 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HMP2011
Bedford, UK42 contributions
Feb 2022
Very helpful and friendly chap in the ticket kiosk. The grounds are beautiful with the snowdrops at this time of year. Although a lot of people were visiting everyone soon spread out and it was a quiet place to visit and walk. It was larger far better than I expected it to be.
Written 17 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cheekycockney190757
Basildon, UK11,525 contributions
Apr 2022
Visited on Saturday 09th April 2022, drove past the shrine and avoided the 1-mile pilgrimage walk to the Abbey. Parked in Mill Car Park and took the short walk to the Abbey entrance. Not a great deal to see, in terms of the Abbey itself as there is basically a crypt, and 2 arches of different sizes. There are lovely grounds and a fascinating timeline in the crypt of the Abbey's history.
Written 23 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
R383ccaCgb
England, UK395 contributions
Sept 2020 • Couples
We were staying in the area and drove past the gate that leads on to the ground. Curious, we parked the car nearby. It was rather a wet day but we still enjoyed our walk around and stayed there for about an hour or more. Would prefer to go on a sunnier day. Lots of unknown history here
Written 30 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
suffolkmilly14
Leavenheath, UK84 contributions
Sept 2020
What a fabulous garden, beautiful as well as interesting. We were given a map to self navigate which was perfect. We all loved it including the dog. The Abbey remains are fairly extensive compared to a lot I’ve visited and were really interesting.
Written 28 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello planning on visiting tommorow 21st February . Are you open ,do we need to book and do you have specific sessions as I saw in one review?
Written 20 February 2019
Elizabeth B
Little Walsingham, United Kingdom
We are open tomorrow 21st February 10-4. We are open every day 10-4 until 3rd March. No booking and no special sessions, I’m not sure where you would have seen that as it is not the case. We do have different opening hours outside the snowdrop season.
Written 20 February 2019
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