Founded in 1107 by the then Lord of the Manor of Wymondham, William D'Albini, as a Priory of the Benedictine Monastery of St Albans, it was granted independent Abbey status in 1448.
After the dissolution of the monasteries in 1538, part of the building was retained as the town's Parish Church, dedicated to St Mary the Virgin and St Thomas of Canterbury. Wymondham Abbey continues as an active place of daily worship, and in recent years has developed and important and increasing role for staging arts and musical events.New Development
The Parochial Church Council has commissioned Henry Freeland, of Cambridge Architects, Freeland Rees Roberts, to draw up plans to provide a new sacristy, vestry, music room, meeting room, exhibition area, new shop, toilets, small kitchen, storage area, lift and new boiler room.
Development Project
Make a Donation
Wymondham Abbey is one of the finest and most interesting of the historic churches of East Anglia.
The Abbey is open to visitors throughout
the year Mondays to Saturdays
Wymondham Abbey is one of the finest and most interesting of the historic churches of East Anglia. Its two tall towers dominate the countryside for miles around. Inside it is distinguished by its twelfth-century nave arcades, its magnificent fifteenth-century angel roofs and its remarkable altar-screen, designed in the twentieth century by Sir Ninian Comper. The small market town of Wymondham is located about 9 miles south-west of the city of Norwich, just off the main A11 trunk road from London to Norwich. Car parking is available in the town. Wymondham is also on the main railway line from Norwich to Ely, with through trains to the Midlands and the North and connections to London, the South and the West.
The Abbey is open to visitors throughout
the year Mondays to Saturdays between the following times :
December to March
10am to 3pm
April 10am to 4pm
May to October 10am to 4pm
November 10am to 4pm
The Abbey Shop is open throughout these times. Arrangements for opening The Abbey for visitors on Sunday afternoons, and for guided tours for groups, parties and schools at all times, can be made by contacting the Parish Office on 01953 607062 or Mr Ron Hyam on 01953 603513. The Stewards on duty are pleased to welcome all visitors and help them with anything they require. Guide sheets are available in several languages and a full-colour guide book can be purchased. As well as looking round the Abbey visitors might like to light a candle in the Lady Chapel and spend some quiet time in prayer.