31st March to 30th September, 2024
Padley Chapel is a 14th century chapel and gatehouse forming part of Padley Manor, the remaining ruins of which lie adjacent to the chapel. The Grade 1 listed chapel is best known for its association with two Catholic priests, Robert Ludlam and Nicholas Garlick captured here in 1588. They were later executed for high treason for being Catholic priests and bringing the sacraments to recusant families during a period of history when Catholicism was suppressed by the Crown. Therefore, Padley Chapel is a special piece of local and national history, it is testimony to the preservation of the Roman Catholic faith in England.
Padley has been a place of pilgrimage since 1892 when the first pilgrimage took place in honour of the men who were martyred for their Catholic faith and the pilgrimages continue to this day. Every July, there is a pilgrimage held jointly with the Dioceses of Nottingham and Hallam, The Hallam Diocese Schools also hold a pilgrimage in July. There are other smaller pilgrimages by the St Vincent’s Mission Hub and other individuals.
There is now a renewed interest in pilgrimage and the significance of Padley Chapel as a shrine is growing as a result. The British Pilgrimage Trust has published The Padley Martyrs Way, a Pilgrim Way for the Catholic Diocese of Hallam. The chapel now has its own Pilgrim stamp for use in the Pilgrim Passport, ready to welcome Pilgrims from the project “Hearts in Search of God” and in the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope.
The recently formed Friends of Padley group is working to make the chapel more accessible to visitors of all faiths and none. The chapel opened every Sunday between 2pm and 4pm during the summer months. It can be opened at other times by appointment by contacting the Friends of Padley.
This is a report on the number of visitors and the reasons for their visit to Padley Chapel between 31st March and 30th September, 2024. Unfortunately, there are no comparative data to allow for assessment of whether the renewed interest in the Padley Story has shown an increase in visitor numbers.
