Walsingham Abbey

Walsingham Abbey is the grounds of a historic house in Little Walsingham, where the remains of a medieval Augustinian priory stand among lawns and woodland. Families can wander the ruins, including the west front and the surviving priory church walls, and follow the paths through the gardens. The Shirehall Museum sits at the entrance and covers the history of the village, its pilgrim traditions and a range of local objects, so it suits a rainy-day visit as well as a fine one. The grounds are best known for the naturalised snowdrops that carpet the woodland from late January into February, with daffodils, wild garlic and bluebells following later in spring. Dogs on leads are welcome. Older children with an interest in history will find plenty to look at, and younger ones will enjoy the open space to run about in.