The Old Bakehouse
A historic building in the heart of Little Walsingham, England’s “Nazareth”, a place of pilgrimage since 1061.
Walpole
“Impossible not to like it, we were enthralled.”
Something inexplicable once happened here in this corner of North Norfolk and its repercussions are still discussed and felt a thousand years later. Pilgrims from many faiths - and none - come here in their droves for the promised “help in time of need”. There are stories of answered prayers to this day - this small village of 600 souls was voted the UK’s favourite place of pilgrimage; it is a place that writers and journalists have favoured with much ink and column inches, particularly of late.
This is a Catholic family home, and we aim to welcome you warmly, whatever your reason for coming to this beautiful corner of North Norfolk; bird-watchers, Thursford visitors, cyclists, dog-walkers, weekend breakers, history buffs, Priests, Religious, retreatants, writers and journalists looking for peace or inspiration for a piece.
There has been a building on this site at The Old Bakehousefor at least 700 years, since the Lady of the Manor, Richeldis de Faverches, was favoured with visions of the House of the Annunciation in Nazareth, shortly before the Norman conquest.
The Georgian facade of the house has been in place since the mid-18th century, but there are rooms which are much older. The great humanist scholar, Erasmus, visited the Shrine twice in the early 1500’s and stayed at “The Falcon Inn” - that included at the time The Old Bakehouse and our neighbours, next door at Falcon House.
Elizabeth Fry stayed here at the Bakehouse in the 1900’s - a relative of the Gurney family, whose descendants own Walsingham Abbey.
Nelson
Nelson - up to 3 adults and one child.
This first-floor room dates from the 1500’s, and has a super-king double.
An extra single bed and a fold up bed can be added.
Nelson has a small bath with a shower-hose: the en-suite is down 2 steps with a handrail.
Nelson is the biggest of the main 3 guest rooms and has its own locked corridor, suitable for a dog cage. There are 12 stairs (with a handrail) to this room.
Walpole - up to 3 adults and one child.
Cavell - up to 3 adults and one child.
Both these first-floor rooms date from the mid 18th century. They are a similar size.
These rooms can be made as either super-king double or twin.
These rooms can both have an extra fold-up bed and a z bed
These rooms have en-suite showers. The two rooms are immediately adjacent.
There are 12 stairs (with a handrail) to a landing, and then a further 6 stairs (also with a handrail) to access both these first-floor rooms. The stairs are moderately pitched.
Cavell
St Joseph’s (up to 3 adults and one child) can be rented with or without the Cabin (up to 2 more adults).
St Joseph’s and the Cabin share a jack-and-jill bathroom with shower.
St Joseph’s has a very high, super-king, four-poster bed.
St Joseph’s can have an extra single bed and a floor z bed.
St Joseph’s can be rented on its own.
The Cabin has a standard double bed.
The Cabin cannot be rented alone.
Max occupancy of these two rooms together is 5 adults and 1 child. These first-floor rooms are at the back of the house and accessed across an internal courtyard. Due to the access route, they are not suitable for those with mobility issues.
“The best breakfast I’ve ever had” Iona (aged 7)
Breakfast…
Self-service continental breakfast in the drawing room is included with your stay and is usually bread / a choice of plain croissants, pain au chocolat or almond / jams / cereal / fruit / fruit juice and tea and coffee.
Guests may use the small kitchenette adjacent to the sitting room to prepare simple meals and store food.
We are able to offer gf and dairy free options for bread, cereal and milk. Breakfast can be taken at any time. Our rooms have kettles and a small fridge for your morning milk.
The dining table in the sitting-room is communal to all guests.
You are welcome to eat in your room as well as downstairs.
With notice, we are able to arrange a cooked breakfast for you at the local Pilgrim bureau during the season, or book you in at the pub - the Black Lion is a 100 yards away: they serve from 8:30am-11am. Old Bakehouse guests can enjoy a breakfast discount.
Cycling…
Rebellion Way cyclists are very welcome - access for all bikes and trailers is through the front door of the house.
We have secure, overnight storage indoors for all guest cycles and tandems, and a locked outdoor yard for any dog trailers or similar. Please let us know in advance if you are bringing bikes.
We are happy to wash lycra for you and leave it to air dry overnight or tumble. We also have heated racks. Bike batteries can be plugged in directly from your bike.
Eating out locally…
The Black Lion is the best option nearby for a good dinner. We are happy to book for you in advance, as it gets busy. The evening kitchen is open from 6-830pm
Vined-Me often have Friday and Saturday night pop-up food events, 5 mins walk from The Bakehouse. Pizzas; steak; seafood; Brazilian theme: these were the recent offerings.They serve an excellent choice of wines, beers and spirits all year round, many of them Portugese.
Epiphany cafe is 3 doors away - a central hub to watch Walsingham life pass by their sunny windows and enjoy a delicious cake.
For evening canteen style meals, we can arrange for you to eat at the Elmham House Pilgrim Bureau restaurant. 2 course meals are served there at 6:30pm.
Nortons - The Anglican Shrine restaurant is 300 yards away for snacks during the day and basic evening food also.
Read and Digest cafe is nearby, with an excellent selection of teas and cakes.
The Bull pub in the village is good for a pint. It is also the best place locally for late night chocolate bars and ice cream.
We also recommend the following, all of which are only a few miles away:
The Three Horseshoes, Wighton.
The Carpenters Arms, Warham.
The Globe, Wells-next-the-sea.
or… fish ‘n’ chips at French’s or Plattens in Wells-next-the-sea. There’s often a queue for these chippies: Wells is a 10 minute drive away.
Fakenham has numerous take-aways which are open late: 10 mins drive away.
Socius in Burnham Market is about 15 mins drive away: it won English Restaurant of the Year in 2023. It’s amazing.
Sculthorpe Mill is also pretty darn good.
Nelson - double bedroom from the mid-16th century
