Museum of the Blessed Virgin Mary

About the museum

The museum in the centre of Walsingham was created to house the collection of Peter Sibley, a long-time collector with a devotion to Mary. After his death his family gave the collection to the Roman Catholic National Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham in 2017, and a museum was opened in a building on the High Street to show it. The shrine’s archivist acts as curator.

The collection comprises about 6,500 items connected with the Virgin Mary. It includes a library of around 2,500 Marian books, medieval strap ends, seal matrices, coins and medals, statues, icons, stained glass, holy pictures and postage stamps from around the world. There are also relic crosses from the Byzantine period.

A special display shows medieval pilgrim badges, including badges connected with the pilgrimages to Walsingham before the Reformation. Entry is free.

Highlights

• Peter Sibley collection of about 6,500 Marian items
• Display of medieval pilgrim badges, including Walsingham badges
• Library of around 2,500 books about Mary
• Icons, statues, coins, medals and Byzantine relic crosses
• Free admission

Permanent exhibition

• Peter Sibley collection – Marian books, statues, coins, medals, icons, stamps and Byzantine relic crosses, together with a display of medieval pilgrim badges.

Founded

2017

Operated by

Catholic National Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is at 22 High Street in the village centre.

Amenities & dining

The shrine’s gift shop is run separately from the museum.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit