U3A Walsingham Visit

Today we went on U3A Bury St Edmunds organised coach trip. In the morning we visited Little Walsingham and the Anglican Shrine of Our Lady there.

This was the description of the visit.

"In the morning we will have around 2 hrs free time to explore the Anglican Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, the grounds of Walsingham Abbey and the village of Little Walsingham.  

The Welcome Centre has displays giving basic information about the rise, fall and restoration of the Shrine and a video traces the history from 1061 to the present day.  More can also be learned about the whole development of Walsingham into a centre for pilgrimage.  From there you can visit the Shrine Church and Holy House as well as the lovely gardens designed by Tessa Hobbs.  There is also a café and shop on the site.  

If time permits you can also visit the grounds of Walsingham Abbey and see the ruins of the Augustinian Priory, Norman arch and Holy Wells, Medieval pack horse bridge, the Knight’s Gate as well as the village itself."

We enjoyed visiting the Shrine of Our Lady which was very tranquil and soothing. Here are a few of my photos.

We liked the village and wished we had a bit longer to explore.

The corner shop!

They had the bunting out. This is the entrance to the priory, but it wasn't open yet.

Inside the grounds of the Shrine.

The well.

We had a little cup of the water. Dawn wondered if it will cure my sore knee. We'll see.

The weather vain is an angel.

The church is very elaborately decorated with many side chapels.

The have a route through the grounds of the stations of the cross, finishing here at the crosses on a replica Golgotha.

This is the entrance that the pilgrims' route arrives at.

We had time to visit the farm shop.

Thye smell of the pies and sausage rolls, cooked on the premises, was very tempting. We bought a sausage roll...

...and a selection of local cheeses for a cheese board after our Sunday dinner.

No time to visit the Priory, though.

Then it was back to the coach for the short trip to Thursfprd. More on that anon.

You can see more of my photos here on Flickr.

Thank-you Pat for organising it all and Steven for driving us there and back.