Walsingham, United Kingdom

Walsingham became a place of pilgrimage because of visions seen in 1061. Lady Richeldis had a vision in which the Virgin Mary took her to Nazareth and showed her where the Angel Gabriel appeared to her.

At Mary's instruction, Richeldis built a replica of the Holy House at Walsingham. Inside the Walsingham Holy House, they kept a wooden statue of the Virgin Mary with Jesus sitting on her lap. Years later, the monastery was built around the Holy House.

Unfortunately, the shrine and the statue were destroyed during the Reformation. A replica of the Holy House was built in the early 20th century and Walsingham once again became a place of pilgrimage.

Walsingham is a charming little village in Norfolk, England, popular with tourists and pilgrims. You should visit Our Lady of Walsingham, the church with the replica of the Holy House, and the Catholic Church known as Slipper Chapel.

Walsingham Abbey is now just ruins but becomes a very popular destination in early spring when the snowdrops bloom. There is also a tourist steam train from Wells on the Sea to Walsingham from mid-March to late October.

Unfortunately, Walsingham is not easily accessible by public transportation. The best way to get to Walsingham is by car.