Walsingham Travel Information


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Little Walsingham or Great Walsingham
– What’s the difference?

A common question for new visitors to Walsingham is whether to head for Little or Great Walsingham.

Great Walsingham is the smaller of the two. Little Walsingham is the location for the Abbey Grounds, the Anglican Shrine, and the Roman Catholic visitor accommodation, the Pilgrim Bureau; these are three of the most popular destinations for visitors. Most visitors would come to Little Walsingham first.

Most people think of ‘Walsingham’ as including the two villages of Little and Great Walsingham, and also the hamlet of Houghton St Giles one mile outside, because this is the home of the Roman Catholic National Shrine of Our Lady. All are within walking distance of each other.

Getting to Walsingham

By car/coach

If you’re using satellite navigation, the postcode NR22 6BP will bring you to Common Place in the centre of the village (pictured below).

Common Place, in the centre of Little Walsingham
Common Place, in the centre of Little Walsingham

Please note that some routes shown on these systems are not suitable for coaches or some cars because they take you through fords near the RC National Shrine, which can be deep and fast-flowing.

Road sign turn off to Walsingham from the Fakenham bypass
Road sign for turn off to Walsingham from the Fakenham bypass

From the West:

From King’s Lynn follow the A148 to Fakenham (about 17 miles). At the roundabout just before Fakenham turn left, then left again after 300 yards on to the B1105, signposted Walsingham.

From the East:

From Norwich follow the A1067 to Fakenham. Turn right at the first roundabout, straight on at the next roundabout (near Morrison’s) and then left at the next roundabout onto by-pass (A148 – towards Kings Lynn). After about one mile turn right onto B1105 to Walsingham.

From the South:

  • From London and the South leave the M11 at Junction 9 (Newmarket, Norwich).
  • Take the A11 towards Newmarket, which then merges with the A14.
  • After 6 miles follow the sign A11 (Thetford, Norwich).
  • At Barton Mills roundabout take the A11 (3rd exit) towards Thetford.
  • Turn left at 3rd roundabout off the A11 (A134 signed King’s Lynn).
  • Turn right at Mundham (3rd exit A1065 signed Swaffham)
  • In Swaffham turn right at the mini roundabout through the Market Square signposted Cromer and Fakenham (still A1065).
  • By-pass Fakenham to the King’s Lynn-Fakenham road (A148). Cross over the roundabout, then turn left after 300 yards onto the B1105, which is signposted Walsingham.

Once on the B1105…

in a car… follow the signs for Little Walsingham – Light Vehicles only, which takes you through the villages of East Barsham and Houghton St Giles.

in a coach… after a quarter of a mile, turn left for Wells and Walsingham (B1105). Continue for about 4 miles until a right turn signed for Walsingham. As you come into the village, turn right up a wide road for the coach park. If you are going direct to the RC National Shrine in Houghton St Giles, please follow the directions on their website.

Parking

Pay and display car parking is available at the Old Mill car park in the centre of the village, accessible from Common Place or Coker’s Hill.

Pay and display coach parking is at the coach park at Station Road, accessed via Egmere Road or for small vehicles can be approached from Friday Market. Cars may also park at the coach park subject to availability.

Both car parks now have pay and display machines which accept cards only. As well as hourly parking, they machines can sell full day, weekend and weekly period parking passes.

There is also car parking at the RC National Shrine in Houghton St Giles, a mile out of the village.

By Train

From London, trains from King’s Cross to King’s Lynn are faster (about an hour and 40 minutes) and connect with buses to Walsingham. A taxi from Kings Lynn station to the village takes around 45 minutes.

Signpost in the centre of WalsinghamTaxi Services

Wells-next-the-Sea:

  • Elite Travel — 01328 821812
  • Estate Cars — 01328 711307

Fakenham:

  • Near and Far — 01328 853636
  • Bay-Kars — 01328 853868
  • Parkside Cars — 01328 878777

Buses

National Express

The nearest National Express coach station is King’s Lynn, for coach services to/from Cambridge, Peterborough and London Victoria.

Related link: www.nationalexpress.com

Lynx Bus operate the Service 49 (King’s Lynn to Fakenham) and the Coastliner 36 routes (King’s Lynn – Hunstanton – Wells – Fakenham).

The Coastliner connects with the Coasthopper (Wells-North Walsham-Sheringham-West Runton-Cromer) at Wells-next-the-Sea. A great way to see the coast and get around.

Service 49 (King’s Lynn to Fakenham). Timetable with buses running about every two hours Monday-Saturday.

Related link www.lynxbus.co.uk/bus-routes/49-49a/49/

Coastliner 36 runs on the King’s Lynn – Hunstanton – Wells-next-the-Sea section of the former Coasthopper route. At Wells-next-the-Sea the bus continues on to Fakenham via Walsingham.

Related link for Coastliner 36: bustimes.org/localities/little-walsingham including a map showing the locations of the bus stops.

Travellers from King’s Lynn to Walsingham should take the 49/49a to Fakenham, and change at Fakenham Oak Street on to the Coastliner 36 for Walsingham. Total journey time from King’s Lynn approx 1h 15mins.

Related link: Lynx bus service times and fares

Related link: Coasthopper route map

Public Transport Enquiries: telephone 0871 200 22 33

Getting out (for residents)

Age Concern Fakenham Area Minibus: telephone 07990 026839.

For more information about the regular routes, days and cost please follow the related link below: