King's Lynn Walsingham Way

A 29-mile King’s Lynn to Walsingham pilgrim trail is currently going through a rigorous testing process and will soon be officially launched to promote physical and spiritual wellbeing, green tourism, heritage discovery, and support fantastic village businesses along the route.

The historic King’s Lynn to Walsingham pilgrimage was followed by English Kings and Queens before the Reformation in the 1530s. This extensive route provides a fantastic opportunity for walking and cycling in achievable sections, naturally split into rest stops and stages by religious building destinations dotted along the way.

The trail largely consists of flat and uneven surfaces presenting an easy to mild challenge along the way for those on foot or by cycle. Please note: it is advised that at least one section of the route is only suitable for walking and mountain bikes.

Depending on your destination, you will either start from the King’s Lynn Minster in west Norfolk and go east, or from the Walsingham Shrine location in North Norfolk and travel west. Alternatively, you can choose to join the 29-mile route at any key point or religious site along the way as highlighted below.

Start: The King’s Lynn Minster

The western start of the trail begins from the majestic King’s Lynn Minster. The Minster is situated in the historic Saturday Market Place in the heart of King’s Lynn.

Founded by the first Bishop of Norwich, Herbert de Losinga, in 1101, it has offered a welcome to pilgrims and visitors for over 900 years.

Follow the historic quarter of the town south and along Stonegate Street, then cross the road where it is safe to do so and visit the hidden gem of All Saints Church, situated behind the Hillington Square flats.

From that location make your way easterly to Our Lady of the Annunciation on London Road, and then across the road where safe to do so, near the historic South Gate, and eventually on to Seven Sisters Walk, at which point you will be travelling northward and up to the splendid Red Mount Chapel. A short walk around the chapel location and you will find public restrooms and the Walks Cafe kiosk providing refreshments (seasonal openings vary). A short westerly walk (around 150m) will take you slightly off the route, to St John's Church. From here you will travel eastward, across the railway crossing and on to the Sandringham Railway path, travelling out of King's Lynn and for a distance of nearly 2 miles (there is a service station and a Tesco's supermarket with restroom near to the Gaywood Road crossing along the Sandringham Railway path).

St Mary's Church, South Wootton (Waypoint #6 on the route)

You will arrive at this location travelling northward from Edward Benefer Way. Continue northward from this location and you will enter North Wootton and soon onto All Saints Church.

Moving easterly you will exit North Wootton, enter the historic Castle Rising village and to the Church of St. Lawrence. Travelling northeasterly, you will travel past the Castle Rising Wood and on to the picturesque village of Babingley and the Church of St. Mary & St. Felix.

St. Mary Magdalene Church, Sandringham Estate (Waypoint #10 on the route)

From Babingley you will travel northeast, further into the Royal Sandringham Estate, where you will arrive at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene. The Sandringham Restaurant and restrooms are close to the church. Then, moving in the easterly direction, you will approach the village of Anmer and the Church of St Mary. Travelling north and then east, you will arrive at the very attractive village of Great Bircham with its many traditional Norfolk cottages with a general store/deli and pub - The King’s Head - at its heart. This is a superb resting spot or mid-way entry point along the King's Lynn Walsingham Way. The village's St Mary’s Church and churchyard are part of the Royal Estate at Sandringham and stand at the junction of the road from Syderstone, Docking and King’s Lynn. During the 1939-1945 war the churchyard was used for the burial of airmen from the Royal Air Force Station at Bircham Newton, service dead whose bodies were washed up by the sea and German airmen brought down in the Battle of Britain.

After resting and rehydration, from Great Bircham you will travel northeast along 4.5 miles of tranquil rural village roads.

St Mary's Church, South Creake (Waypoint #13 on the route)

You will reach the church in the centre of the unspoilt quintessential village of South Creake. From this point travel southeasterly through the village of Waterden and to its All Saints Church.

From the church, travel easterly for around 2 miles, onto the Green Way at North Barsham and to the church which is also named All Saints. From this point onwards to the end of the entire route you will be travelling northerly to the villages of Walsingham and Little Walsingham.

The Roman Catholic National Shrine of Our Lady, Walsingham (Waypoint #13 on the route)

Still on the Barsham Road you will pass the Basilica of Our Lady of Walsingham and on to The Roman Catholic National Shrine of Our Lady.

Remaining on the Barsham Road you will travel northerly and into Little Walsingham, where there are many points of interest and great places for rest and refreshment.

Some suggested points of interest to visit from this point onwards include:

* Walsingham Franciscan Friary - a Franciscan friary at Walsingham, founded in 1347.

* St Mary’s & All Saints - the parish church of Little Walsingham, dedicated to the Virgin Mary and All Saints.

* Little Walsingham Methodist Church - the present church was built in 1793-4.

* The Roman Catholic Parish Church of the Annunciation - the only Roman Catholic church among the British Round Tower Churches.

* The St Seraphim Orthodox Church - a non-parochial church directly under the bishop. Visitors and pilgrims are welcome.

* Walsingham Abbey - famous for the evocative and beautiful ruins of the Priory of our Lady of Walsingham, one of the medieval world’s most important places of pilgrimage.

The King's Lynn Walsingham Way concludes at The Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham (Waypoint #23 on the route).