Why Do Thousands Of People Visit The Little North Norfolk Village Of Walsingham Every Year?

The village of Walsingham is one of Northern Europe's great places of pilgrimage for Christians. It became a major place of pilgrimage in the 11th Century after Saxon noblewoman Richeldis de Faverches in 1061. She was instructed to build a replica of the house of the Holy Family of Nazareth. The house was panelled with wood and contained a wooden statute of the enthroned Virgin Mary with the child Jesus sitting on her lap. The village is therefore known as "England's Nazareth". It also has ruins of two medieval monastic houses.  

Today, it has Anglican, Orthadox, and Catholic shrines to "Our Lady" and is popular amongst pilgrims of all denominations. Walsingham plays host to meetings, pilgrimages and conferences of numerous Christian organisations such as Youth 2000 and the Union of Catholic Women. Many of the 864 villagers consider the highlight of the year to be the arrival of the Youth Cross on Good Friday.