Walpole: Walsingham Pilgrims, cyclists + Thursford

Walpole: twin or d'ble en-suite (shower) at the Walsingham Bakehouse. 50 yds to Walsingham Abbey grounds. 200 yds to Anglican Shrine & RC Church of the Annunciation. 3 adults + 1 child max. Thursford Spectaculor: 4 miles. Wells-next-the-sea: 4 miles. 3 public b & b rooms (+options) in our family home; antiques + art decorate. Dog friendly. Indoor bike storage for Rebellion Way cyclists (lycra washed on request). Pilgrims: chapel on request. Wi-fi but no TV's or live TV. Continental brkfst. The space A spacious room with shower en suite and space to sit and read in two comfortable chairs and a desk to work at. The Old Bakehouse is an old building dating from around 1500 onwards, built on the floor plan of a much older construction. This room - Walpole - is one of two from about 1740, and the third Airbnb room (Nelson) is from the early 16th century. The chapel is in the basement and this space may have been created when the street was laid out in the 15th century: the chapel is open by request only, but do ask. One of our guests wrote a review saying we were "about as far removed from a Travelodge as it's possible to get": I think he's probably right. The bed in Walpole can be a superking or twin: please let us know which you would like - the default is superking if you don't specify. All our Airbnb rooms have space for a 3rd adult on a folding bed or up to 2 children on floor mattresses. Max room occupancy is 4 persons but no more than 3 adults. There is an additional charge for each person beyond two persons. Guests are very welcome to sit fireside in the large drawing room and treat this as a common room during their stay. Breakfast is self-served continental, in the drawing room with a small kitchenette just off it if you wish to cook other meals. There is a single dining table shared by all guests - you may be required to meet fellow travellers! There are tea and coffee facilities in this room and the bedrooms. All our superking beds have electric blankets on both sides. Rooms are all quiet at night and those at the front of the building (Walpole and Cavel) are secondary glazed. These rooms look out on the medieval high street: the room at the side (Nelson) looks onto the 15th century building next door. My wife is an artist/photographer and I'm a musician. The sitting room has a keyboard in you are welcome to play, and there are paintings by my wife all around the house - some are for sale, and we have exhibitions here from time to time. Sarah is our performance-poet in the attic, and Marie is resident here also: a retired actress. Yes: it's an artsy house. We have NO white walls or TV's, nor are there trouser presses or name badges - and WE DO NOT OFFER COOKED BREAKFAST! (BUT... we can arrange it locally for you...) We do though hope you might also enjoy croissants, toast, jams and spreads, cereal, fruit, fruit juice, tea, coffee, hot chocolate... breakfast is self-service and can be taken at any time, late or early. Check out of room is usually 10am, but lingering downstairs is encouraged. We offer a comfortable place to stay, in a beautiful village that has a 1000 year history of accommodating pilgrims from all over the world. The Old Bakehouse occupies part of a larger site that used to be called Falcon House, or Falcon Inn, a place that Erasmus stayed at twice in the early 1500's. Our neighbours house is still called Falcon House, but our sitting room may orginally have been the dining hall for the guests. Elizabeth Fry was a guest here in the 19th c - she was related to the owners of Walsingham Abbey. It's a quirky building - wheelchair access is not a thing here at the Bakehouse I'm afraid, and none of our b & b rooms are on the ground floor. The building has been a Barclays bank, a Corn Exchange, a bakery (for about 80 years), a restaurant and a tea shop, a custom house, and latterly a b & b for at least 15 years. We've been here since June 2021. Guest access Guest will have access to their bedroom and its dedicated en-suite. Guests also have access to the large sitting/dining room, with adjacent small kitchenette plus downstairs loo and sink. Guests who vape or smoke will be able to use the gravel yard to refresh their lungs. Dogs can also use this yard for a late night excursion. The Old Bakehouse is near the Black Lion pub which offers excellent food. ‘Epiphany’ is 3 doors down from the Old Bakehouse, with good coffee and sandwiches, and a selection of gifts and toys to purchase. The Anglican Shrine does a take away pizza service. The Black Lion also does a big fry up for 12 pounds or thereabouts. Read and Digest Cafe is 75 yards from The Old Bakehouse front door and has indoor and outdoor seating. Walsingham Village shop is 50 paces away and open from 7am to 7pm (6pm on Sundays). Guests are welcome to prepare a simple meal from here in our kitchenette. They do papers and wine and beer: the usual corner shop fare but served with a wonderful smile by Sean or Shani. Walsingham Abbey grounds 50 yards. Anglican shrine 100 yards. Catholic Church 100 yards. Catholic Shrine 3 mins drive. 35 mins walk down the Pilgrim route. Orthodox Church 5 mins walk. Friday Market 100 yards. The Bull pub 150 yards. Read and digest tea rooms 75 yards. The Rebellion way passes by our front door - we have had many cyclists stay and some have even had their clothes washed and dried overnight… Indoor storage (and charging points) available for all bikes. Norfolk coast is 5 miles away at Wells next the sea. During your stay We are often at home during the day and contactable by phone in an emergency. At night, please call the landline - number supplied on arrival. We will be in and out of the drawing room which you are welcome to share with us. Other things to note We have a Jack Russell Terrier. Good with children but if need be we can keep her in a separate part of the house if she doesn’t get on with your dog. There is access to a small gravel yard for a late night dog excursion. There is also a small lawn in a separate garden if required.