We regret that due to unforeseen circumstances, the Abbey Grounds and the Shirehall Museum will be closed on Friday 12th and Saturday 13th May.
Apologies for any inconvenience caused.
Daffodils for St David’s Day
As the snowdrops come to an end for another year, the daffodils and other lovely signs of spring start to take over.
Each day we can see a few more of our huge collection of daffodils starting to pop up, and some are starting to open. The first to flower is a little one called February Gold. Right on time for St David’s Day is a lovely patch in bloom in a sunny sheltered spot.
Wild garlic shoots are emerging from among the snowdrops in the woods, shoots of bluebells are coming up. Spring will be with us soon!
The daffodil and narcissus season is with us for the next two months, and will last right into early May.
March opening
Friday-Monday from Friday March 10th to Monday March 27th, 11am-4pm.
Open daily from Friday 31st March to Sunday 5th November, 11am-4pm.
Snowdrops at their peak!
Now that the snowdrops have reached their peak, we are expecting to be busy. Reaching their peak in perfect timing for half term!
Places to park: the Old Mill car park
Car parking also available in the Coach Park
Places for eating and drinking :
Walsingham Farms Shop – outdoor tables
Read & Digest Tearoom by The Old Pump indoor and outdoor tables, booking advised
The Bull Walsingham – pub in Common Place
Norton’s Café & Bar at The Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham
Epiphany Walsingham café in the High Street
In Great Walsingham the cafe next to Walsingham Gallery & Framing is under new management and now called OBrennans – they are especially bike friendly!
Obrennans Coffee House & Café is at Great Walsingham Barns.
Snowdrop Charity Day for The Benjamin Foundation
Looking forward to the weekend already?Come for a stroll around our snowdrops this Saturday 11th February and support The Benjamin Foundation.
Share your photos from the charity day on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter to win a £25 gift voucher! Remember to tag The Benjamin Foundation #walsinghamsnowdrops
Let’s see if we can get #Walsinghamsnowdrops trending!
If you can’t make it you can make a donation here https://benjaminfoundation.co.uk/donate/
Snowdrop Walks open
We are pleased to say that our snowdrop walks are now open.
From today Monday 23rd January we will be open daily up to and including Sunday 5th March, hours 10am-4pm.
As there have been some sharp frosts, especially at night, the snowdrops are not rushing ahead to bloom but are in their early stages. Some clumps are open where they catch the sun, while all around the grounds the green shoots of snowdrop leaves are popping up, and here and there among them, some of the patches of yellow aconites are also starting into flower.
Snowdrop Charity Day
We are pleased to announce that our Charity Day for 2023 will be on Saturday 11th February.
This year we will be supporting The Benjamin Foundation.
For over 25 years children, young people and families across Norfolk and Suffolk have been supported by The Benjamin Foundation to overcome big challenges in their lives. Among other things, the Foundation helps care leavers, offering supported accommodation, and is the regional partner for the End Youth Homelessness Campaign.
All admissions from the day will go to the charity, but if you can’t attend in person you might consider making a donation. https://benjaminfoundation.co.uk/donate/
Snowdrop Walks 2023
We are delighted to say that we have already seen the first green snowdrop shoots above the ground, and that we will be open for snowdrops from Monday 23rd January. Please see our visitor information for more details.
We are also pleased to announce that our charity day this year will be on Saturday 11th February, in aid of the Benjamin Foundation.
The Benjamin Foundation is a charity working in Norfolk and Suffolk, supporting local young people to overcome challenges in their lives by providing opportunity, stability and independence, to help them feel hopeful of a better future. The Foundation is the regional partner for the End Youth Homelessness campaign.
Winter closure
The Abbey Grounds, Ruins and Shirehall Museum remain open daily until Sunday 6th November.
From Monday 31st October there will be no access to the Dell, as significant tree works begin.
We will then be closed to visitors from Monday 7th November to Sunday 22nd January 2023.
All being well, we will reopen on Monday 23rd January with the beginning of the snowdrop season.
Tree works in the Dell
The Estate is undertaking major tree works in the Dell as part of our programme of woodland management.
For safety reasons there will be no public access to the Dell from Monday 31st October.
The work is a mix of felling of diseased trees affected by ash die back, thinning, and safety work on large trees and boughs which overhang the road.
Fortunately we will be able to use much of the felled material as fuel for the biomass (wood chip) boiler at the Abbey. This boiler truly earns its keep, providing heating and hot water for six households both within and adjacent to the Abbey.
Closure on Monday 19th September
Walsingham Abbey Grounds and the Shirehall Museum will be closed on Monday 19th September, the day of the funeral of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Open as usual on all other days.