Back in the 12th century, Walsingham was one of the four principal shrines in Christendom.
It was as famous as Rome, Jerusalem, and Compostella, and so pilgrims flocked in their thousands here, so much so that it became the foremost Marian shrine in the world at that time.
Here, in 1061, Our Lady appeared in a dream to Richeldis de Faverches, a devout Norman widow. In the dream Our Lady showed her the house where the Annunciation had taken place and where the Holy Family had lived.
Richeldis was then requested to build a similar house at Walsingham and was promised: “All who are in any way distressed, or in need, let them seek me there in that little house you have made at Walsingham. To all that seek me there shall be given succour. And there at Walsingham in this little house shall be held in remembrance the great joy of my salutation when St Gabriel told me I should through humility become the mother of God’s Son.”
A Programme of Events and Pilgrimages (March 2026 – Oct 2026) is available to view and download.
You can also read more on the Walsingham website