Anglican Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, Christian pilgrimage site in Walsingham, England.
The Anglican Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham is a religious center featuring a main church, several chapels, gardens, and a replica of the Holy House containing a statue of the Virgin Mary. The grounds also include accommodation, a dining hall, café, shop, and visitor center for extended stays.
The original shrine was founded in 1061 by Richeldis de Faverches but was destroyed in 1538 under King Henry VIII. Reconstruction began in 1921 under Father Alfred Hope Patten, transforming it into a pilgrimage site once again.
Visitors from across Europe come to pray, attend services, and spend time in quiet contemplation throughout the grounds. The chapels and shrine itself serve as places where people bring their personal intentions and find moments of spiritual reflection.
The site is located in Norfolk and walkable from Walsingham town center; the grounds are well-signposted and open to day visitors even if you don't stay overnight. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended since exploring the gardens and various chapels involves time and distance.
The grounds contain a holy well where visitors collect water believed to have healing properties. This water tradition stretches back nearly a thousand years and remains a central part of pilgrimages to the site today.
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