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Bishop to arrive by wherry for St Benet's service
Bishop's wherry arrival for St Benet's service
The Bishop of Norwich will arrive on a wherry for the annual open-air service at St Benet’s Abbey
The annual open-air service at St Benet’s Abbey near Ludham will take place at 3.30pm on Sunday 27 July 2025, gathering worshippers among the ancient ruins of one of Norfolk’s most historic Christian sites. In keeping with tradition, the Rt Revd Graham Usher, Bishop of Norwich, will arrive by wherry
Founded over a thousand years ago when King Canute granted land beside the River Bure to a group of monks, St Benet’s has a rich spiritual heritage. Stories suggest that even before the abbey’s formal foundation, holy hermits had already made it a place of prayer. The monks followed the Rule of St Benedict (known in medieval English as St Benet) which continues to inspire the St Benet's community in Norfolk still today
Unlike other religious houses, St Benet’s was never officially dissolved during the Reformation. King Henry VIII gave the abbey to the Bishop of Norwich, making each bishop since both Bishop and Abbot—a title that continues to this day
The service is hosted by the St Benet’s community, which draws on the Benedictine tradition. Rev Ben Bradshaw, rector of the benefice of St Benedict and prior of St Benet’s, reflects: “Following the way of St Benedict helps to keep us grounded, helps to keep us focussed, helps us to keep our priorities in order and helps us to keep our eyes on God”
All are warmly invited to attend this special act of worship.
Photo of the Bishop of Norwich arriving by wherry to St Benet's Abbey, courtesy of Jason Bye
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Anna Heydon, 17/07/2025
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