Bromholm Priory to Walsingham, Norfolk

Bromholm Priory to Walsingham - 40.8 miles, 3-4 days

Thousands of pilgrims have followed this route, attracted by a fragment of the True Cross

A fragment of the True Cross brought many thousands of medieval pilgrims to Bromholm Priory, making this outpost at Bacton, on the wild Norfolk Coast, one of the most important pilgrim destinations in England. Medieval pilgrims were keen to visit both Bromholm and Walsingham, and a newly-restored path enables modern-day pilgrims to do the same.

The route runs along a mainly coastal path, taking in a number of former priories and abbeys where pilgrims were accommodated.

They include the Priory of St Mary in the Meadow near Sheringham, where the walls of its thirteenth-century chapel rise beside the waters of the monks’ fish ponds; and Weybourne, where the thirteenth-century priory remains stand alongside All Saints in a lovely flower-filled churchyard, the graves dotted among the ruins.

At Binham, the path reaches one of the most complete and impressive monastic ruins in Norfolk. Seven bays of the nave in what was an enormous priory church have survived, bricked off as the parish church of St Mary and the Holy Cross.

More Information

There are 3 stages to the route spread over 3 gpx maps. This newly-revived route is featured in Norfolk's Pilgrim Routes by Andy Bull. More information on the book and the route is available here.  

Please note: Bromholm Priory is on private land, but can be viewed from public footpaths.