Faslane submariners visit Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham

Members of the Faslane base took a week-long trip to the small village of Walsingham in North Norfolk to see the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham in July.

The shrine was favoured by pilgrims until it was destroyed during the English Reformation in the 16th century - but since its restoration 101 years ago, it has once again become a popular location.

The restored shrine (Image: Gareth Hooper)

Submariner Gareth Hooper led the 394-mile journey from Faslane to the site honouring the Virgin Mary.

He said: “Walsingham in North Norfolk may seem like an odd place for a group of submariners to travel to.

“It is a tiny village some 394 miles from HMNB Clyde, the home of the submarine service.

“Hidden within this village is a special place, the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham.

The shrine's altar (Image: Gareth Hooper)

“It’s an Anglican shrine dedicated to the miraculous work of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who visited the site in a vision in 1056 asking for a replica of Jesus’ house in Nazareth to be built.

“It became a site for pilgrims until the Reformation when it was destroyed.

“Some 101 years ago, Fr Alfred Hope Patten restored the shrine, and ever since pilgrims have made their way to the shrine to ask for Mary’s intercession, and to seek healing of body, mind and soul.”

The pilgrims had to walk five miles to the shrine (Image: Gareth Hooper)

After walking five of the 394 miles to Walsingham, the submariners settled at the site where activities were focused on worship, prayer, and self-reflection.

The group was also able to enjoy hot drinks, cakes and treats, and local beers and gin in the shrine’s café and bar.

The group are planning on returning next year (Image: Gareth Hooper)

They also visited Norwich for tours of the cathedral and civic church and treated themselves to a trip to the local beach.

Gareth hopes that the group will be able to return to the shrine in 2024.