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The White Horse is situated in the North of peaceful Norfolk - midway between Fakenham and Little Walsingham (famous for its Anglican and Catholic shrines), by East Barsham on the B1105.

Local Amenities:

8 miles of beautiful sandy beaches, bird watching, good walking, fishing and 5 golf courses are all within easy reach. Many country houses, including Holkham and Hougton hall, are a short drive away.

One could also visit Norwich, the historic capital of Norfolk and a fine Norman city to tour and shop.

History and Location:

Richeldis had a son, Geoffrey, who became Lord of the Manor and Earl of the Marches. After her death he took over responsibility for the Holy House, and it flourished as a center for pilgrimage.

Geoffrey was to leave to take part in the Crusade in the Holy Land: the avowed intent was to recover possession of the Holy Places from the 'Infidel'. However, many lesser mortals, unable to afford to journey to Palestine could, at least, manage to venture as far as their own 'Holy Land' in Norfolk to pay their respects.

After the establishment of the 'Holy House' Walsingham became known as the 'Little Nazareth'. By the thirteenth century it had risen in stature to the extent that it ranked alongside Rome, Jerusalem and Santiago de Compostela.

Henry III traveled to Walsingham in 1248; so did Edward I (1272-1307) and Edward III (1327-1377). The Augustinian Priory was founded in 1153 to cater for the spiritual needs of the many pilgrims, and a Friary was also established.

The famous continued to trail to Walsingham as one century turned into another. Erasmus visited in 1514, and Henry VIII (1509-1547) in 1486 (as a prince) and 1511. However, it was Henry who was to change the fate of the Shrine nearly 30 years later....

"The images of our Lady of Walsingham and Ipswich were brought to London, with all the jewels that hung about them, and diverse other images both in England and Wales, whereunto any common pilgrimage was used, for avoiding idolatry, all of which were burned by Thomas Cromwell." (John Stow, 1538)


Twenty years after Henry VIII's last visit to Walsingham (and Barsham Manor House) the effects of the Reformation swept through England. Shrines were laid waste along with the dissolution of the monasteries in 1536 and 1539, a task undertaken by Thomas Cromwell.

Cromwell, Cranmer and Latimer were quite literal in their interpretation of 'justification by faith alone'. Shrines seemed somewhat contrary to the spirit of the Reformation. The once renowned shrine was remembered in the poem 'The wrecks of Walsingham’-
Bitter, bitter, O to behold
The grass to grow
Where the walls of Walsingham
So stately did show
The story of the RC revival of Walsingham begins in the Victorian Age. An Anglican lady, Charlotte Boyd, became interested in the derelict old chapel south of the village in 1863. Since the Reformation it had seen a variety of uses (barn, cottage, workhouse), but its original existence was as a Slipper Chapel. To cut a long story short, Miss Boyd converted to the Roman Church and bought the chapel, appointing it for use as a place "of prayer and penitence for unity in England". The first modern-day pilgrimage to Walsingham took place in 1897.

In 1921 the Anglican parish priest had visions of reinstating Walsingham as a pilgrim destination for Anglicans. The story of his building up of the Anglican chapel as a focus of international interest is truly remarkable, and thus Walsingham became a center with two shrines. Archaeological excavations in 1961 firmly resolved any discussion about the true location of the original Holy House. It is to be found close to the ruins in the Priory grounds. So, when you make your visit, be sure to check that the grounds are actually open if you want to literally touch history. However, each and every corner of the village is steeped in history, so one may never feel short-changed even if every single facility were closed!