Norfolk's Pilgrim Routes A History of Paths, Places and People

by Bull, Andy

• ISBN13: 9781398124219
• ISBN10: 1398124214
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2025-11-18
• Publisher: Amberley Publishing

Summary

In the late Middle Ages, Walsingham in Norfolk was the most important pilgrim destination in England. Pilgrims travelled here to the shrine to the Virgin Mary from all over the British Isles and Europe, often via Norfolk’s two other great pilgrim places, Norwich and Kings Lynn. Other routes ran within the county, linking other significant pilgrim points including Bromholm Priory, St Benet’s Abbey and Binham Priory. There were also paths from pilgrim ports such as Gt Yarmouth, Cromer, Wells and Hunstanton. Along these routes were numerous hermitages, wayside crosses and hostelries catering to pilgrims. When Henry VIII banned pilgrimage and outlawed the veneration of saints, the pilgrims stopped coming and the paths they used were forgotten. Now those paths are being re-established, the pilgrim places rediscovered, and increasing numbers of pilgrims are walking those routes. This book describes those pilgrim paths and places, including the main feeder routes that pilgrims would have taken across the country to reach Norfolk. It features priories and abbeys, pilgrim churches, hostelries and crosses, holy wells, chapels and hermitages as well as stories of historic figures such as the mystics Margery Kempe, and Julian of Norwich. Norfolk's Pilgrim Routes: A History of Paths, Places and People will appeal to all those who enjoy walking and exploring Britain’s heritage. Through this book readers and walkers today can explore the full breadth of Norfolk’s rich pilgrim history and the fascinating history to be discovered in route. 

Author Biography

Andy Bull is a freelance writer, having worked previously as a journalist and editor on newspapers and magazines and other media. He has been researching British pilgrimage routes for a number of years and has published two guidebooks: Pilgrim Pathways and London to Walsingham Camino. He is a trustee of the Confraternity of St James, works closely with the British Pilgrimage Trust, and leads regular pilgrimage walks and gives talks to pilgrim, historical and other groups. He has written several books on local history, mountain biking, travel and journalism and other topics.