Walsingham’s Wonderful Snowdrops
Just four miles from Wells-next-the-Sea, on the banks of the River Stiffkey, is the village of Walsingham, which has a long history of religious pilgrimage and wealth of historic buildings dating back to the 11th century. In the village lies Walsingham Abbey, the perfect spot for snowdrops walks this winter!
The grounds around Walsingham’s historic house are famous for the atmospheric ruins of the mediaeval Priory of our Lady of Walsingham, as well as these miraculous swathes of snowdrops: your eyes may be deceiving you for the floor is not coated in fluffy white snow, but wonderfully white snowdrop flowers at Walsingham Abbey!
Across 18 acres of grounds and woodland, the floor is adorned with seas of white. Snowdrops in Walsingham usually begin to come up by early January, begin to open by the end of January, are in full bloom in mid-February, and stay in bloom until early March when the flowers fade.
Commonly found at former abbeys and priories as well as in country churchyards, the origin of Walsingham’s snowdrops is obscure. We know that Walsingham has been a special place for religious pilgrims since the 11th century, and as these delightful blooms are the first flowers of spring, they’ve become symbolic of new life, rebirth and of Christian resurrection.
Thanks to the snowdrops’ stunning natural spectacle, this most welcoming of villages has become an uplifting springtime destination for visitors of all religions and none.
Snowdrop enthusiasts and nature lovers can find out more about this activity and how to get there: Walsingham Snowdrop Spectacular – Be Norfolk
