Walsingham is known as the Nazareth of England, and on that basis I thought it was worth a visit. I went round the shrine and to the cafe they have there. I will say that pilgrims are well catered for and the grounds are amazing.
The village is also very picturesque and the golden weather vane of the shrine is visible at all times.
I also went to the Abbey, which is now a ruin following Henry VIII's rampages. You enter through what looks like a village shop, go into the Shirehall courthouse, now a museum, then go into the Abbey grounds. It looks ordinary enough until you round a bend and through the trees see this...
I just can't describe how massive and impressive it is, sitting on the velvet lawn with the sun beating down. And it's just a tiny part of what it once was. More photos, with even more on Flickr...
The grounds are beautiful, with a mown walk alongside the river. There were birds, bees, squirrels and damselflies dancing like fairies over the water. It was a very hot day but the trees provide lovely shade and people were discreetly picnicking on the lawns. I was actually surprised at how very quiet it was for the middle of the summer holidays.
If you're ever near Walsingham I can honestly say this place is more than well worth a visit.
