Castle Acre Priory and Castle Castles
Castle Acre Priory was inspired by the monastery at Cluny in France and was home to a community of monks until 1537, when Henry VIII disbanded all monastic houses. The village stands on the Pilgrim routes to Thetford, Bromholm Priory and Walsingham. The priory's ruins span seven centuries and include a beautiful 12th-century church with an elaborately decorated west front, still rising to its full height, a 15th-century gatehouse and a porch and prior's lodging still fit to live in.
Situated on the Peddars Way, Castle Acre was originally built as a fortified town, protected by its own banks, gateways and ditch. While the town provided for the material needs of the occupants of the castle, the Cluniac priory was built to cater for their spiritual requirements.
The recreated herb garden situated next to the visitor centre grows herbs that the monks would have used for medicinal, strewing, culinary and decorative purposes. At the other end of the village stand the ruins of one of the finest motte and bailey castles in England, featuring a double moat around the keep and bailey. The Bailey Gate in the village centre is also worth a look. .
Attraction Details
For enquiries about Castle Acre Priory and Castle, please contact the attraction using the details below.
AddressStocks Green, Castle Acre, Norfolk, PE32 2XD
Opening times10am - 6pm
Entry costs
Attraction typeCastles
Hotels near Castle Acre Priory and Castle
Staying overnight in Castle Acre?
Wondering where to stay that's close to Castle Acre Priory and Castle? We've teamed up with Booking.com to provide the best room rates for hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs near Castle Acre in Castle Acre.
Baileygate Bed & Breakfast
Baileygate Bed & Breakfast is set in Castle Acre, 42 km from Norwich. Free WiFi is provided and free private parking is available on site. There is luggage storage space at the property.
Holy Boys
Holy Boys is a holiday home with a garden, located in Swaffham in the Norfolk Region. The unit is 42 km from Norwich. Kings Lynn is 21 km from Holy Boys, while Cromer is 49 km from the property.
The Pightle
The Pightle is a holiday home with a garden, situated in Swaffham in the Norfolk Region. The unit is 42 km from Norwich. Kings Lynn is 21 km from The Pightle, while Cromer is 49 km from the property.
Red Lodge bed and
Red Lodge bed and breakfast is set in Swaffham, 46 km from Norwich and 49 km from Bury Saint Edmunds. Free WiFi is provided and free private parking is available on site. Some units include a seating area for your convenience.
Strattons Hotel
In the historic market town of Swaffham, this award-winning boutique hotel boasts an award-winning restaurant, free Wi-Fi and luxury accommodation in beautiful boutique-style rooms and suites..
Lydney House
This Georgian house from the mid 1700s has bedrooms with refitted bathrooms, and is a short walk from Swaffham and a choice of restaurants. Lydney House has well-equipped en suite bedrooms with free mineral water and sweets..
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