Pictures of Castle Acre

in the county of Norfolk

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About Castle Acre

This lovely village is found on the old Peddlers Way which joined Holme-next-the-Sea to the Roman garrison at Colchester. It lies within the old area of Breckland, this consists of around three hundred square miles of landscape which is shared between Norfolk and Suffolk. It is spacious countryside possessing some of the least densely populated areas in the country. These regions were once the home of early settlers, who left behind them many mementoes of life in the days before history was recorded.

Castle Acre is enclosed by the earthworks and ragged remains of a castle built by William de Warenne, son-in-law of William the Conqueror, and Ist Earl of Surrey. A steeply rising main street leads towards an imposing 13th century Bailey Gate, and thus on to what now remains of de Warenne's massive Norman castle. This signifies the long history of the village, which when first established was considered to be one of the finest examples of Norman town planning in the country.

This pretty village is also the home of the romantic ruins of the Cluniac Priory founded by William de Warenne. These splendid remains, set in their beautiful landscape clearly show their original graceful shape. The surviving great west front shows one of the countries finest tiers of Norman arcading. Much of the interest around this picturesque village centre's upon its Norman heritage, this is clearly demonstrated by the village sign which shows the priory as it was in Norman times.

In contrast to the priory ruins is the well preserved Medieval church of St. James, whose impressive 15th century tower can be seen to best advantage from the plateau on which the ancient ruined priory once stood.

A stroll around the village reveals a pleasant mixture of properties from all architectural periods. Of interest to tourist will be the village pubs, at one time there were several, but now only two remain in use - The Ostrich, a former coaching inn and the Albert Victor, previously known as the Dun Cow. Castle Acre's other pubs have been turned into homes or business premises, with one becoming an antique shop. There is also a friendly tea room and restaurants.

This lovely village with its cherished Norman origins makes a pleasant place to visit for an interesting day out, or for a weekend away from the demands of modern life.

Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Castle Acre

Castle Acre Priory	(0.4 miles, 0.7 km)	Pictures
Castle Acre Castle	(0.6 miles, 0.9 km)	Pictures
Iceni Village & Museum	(7.3 miles, 11.7 km, direction S)	Pictures
Gooderstone Water Gardens	(9.1 miles, 14.7 km, direction S)	Pictures
Oxburgh Hall & Garden	(9.9 miles, 15.9 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Castle Rising Castle	(10.8 miles, 17.4 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Sandringham House	(11.0 miles, 17.7 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Bishop Bonner's Cottage	(11.2 miles, 18.1 km, direction E)	Pictures
Tales of the Old Gaol House	(12.6 miles, 20.3 km, direction W)	Pictures
St George's Guildhall	(12.8 miles, 20.5 km, direction W)	Pictures
Norfolk Wildlife Park, Lenwade	(17.0 miles, 27.3 km, direction E)	Pictures
Holkham Hall	(17.4 miles, 28.0 km, direction N)	Pictures
Dinosaur Adventure Park	(18.1 miles, 29.1 km, direction E)	Pictures
Wells & Walsingham Light Railway	(18.2 miles, 29.4 km, direction N)	Pictures
Binham Priory	(18.3 miles, 29.5 km, direction NE)	Pictures

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Recommended towns near Castle Acre

Cockley Cley, in the county of Norfolk (7.3 miles, 11.7 km, direction S)
Cockley Cley is famous for its beautiful reconstruction of a village once lived in by the Iceni tribe at the time of Queen Boudicca.
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Sandringham, in the county of Norfolk (10.9 miles, 17.5 km, direction NW)
Enchanting estate of over 7,000 acres of breath-taking countryside surrounding a magnificent house which has been the home of four generation of British Sovereigns since it was bought in 1862 for the Prince of Wales, who later became King Edward VII.
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Castle Rising, in the county of Norfolk (11.0 miles, 17.7 km, direction NW)
The sea has long since withdrawn from this one-time port, but the superb Norman castle built to protect it still stands.
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Dersingham, in the county of Norfolk (12.0 miles, 19.2 km, direction NW)
The village almost fringes the Queen's Sandringham Estate, it also lies quite close to the sea which gives it an almost jaunty, nautical atmosphere.
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Wolferton, in the county of Norfolk (12.8 miles, 20.5 km, direction NW)
There is much in Wolferton to remind visitors of the magnificence of by-gone days. The station was sold and is preserved as a private home and a lovingly restored museum containing many original features.
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Little Snoring, in the county of Norfolk (13.5 miles, 21.7 km, direction NE)
There are two Snoring villages, Little and Great Snoring, between them they share one of the many quaint names in which Norfolk abounds.
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Great Snoring, in the county of Norfolk (14.3 miles, 23.0 km, direction NE)
There are two Snoring villages, Little and Great Snoring, between them they share one of the many quaint names in which Norfolk abounds.
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Downham Market, a Historic Market Town in the county of Norfolk (14.5 miles, 23.3 km, direction SW)
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Heacham, in the county of Norfolk (16.0 miles, 25.8 km, direction NW)
At the heart of Norfolk's Lavender growing industry lies the pretty seaside village of Heacham.
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Burnham Market, a Picturesque Village in the county of Norfolk (16.5 miles, 26.5 km, direction N)
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Brancaster Staithe, in the county of Norfolk (17.8 miles, 28.7 km, direction N)
Brancaster Staithe enjoys an enviable position on the north Norfolk coast. It is an enchanting place where the pace of life is...
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Burnham Overy Staithe, in the county of Norfolk (17.9 miles, 28.8 km, direction N)
Lying on the broad expanse between Hunstanton and Stiffkey Marshes, is the delightful sailing village of Burnham Overy Staithe from which there are spectacular views towards Scolt Head Island.
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Hunstanton, in the county of Norfolk (18.0 miles, 28.9 km, direction NW)
Hunstanton was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1087 when it would have been little more than a settlement.
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Thornham, in the county of Norfolk (18.0 miles, 29.0 km, direction N)
This is an area renowned for its wild marshes inhabited by a rich variance of bird life, thus Thornham draws to its shores a goodly share of ornithologists who come to see the amazing wildlife of the region.
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Binham, in the county of Norfolk (18.1 miles, 29.2 km, direction NE)
This gorgeous village is set in a peaceful valley inland from Stiffkey, it is renowned for the romantic ruins of a great Benedictine monastery, founded by the side of the Stiffkey River in 1090.
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Nearby travel help

Kings Lynn Station	(12.3 miles, 19.8 km, direction W)
Watlington Station	(13.1 miles, 21.0 km, direction W)
Norwich Airport	(25.2 miles, 40.6 km, direction E)
Cambridge Airport	(40.9 miles, 65.9 km, direction SW)
M11 Junction 14	(42.1 miles, 67.7 km, direction SW)
M11 Junction 13	(42.8 miles, 68.8 km, direction SW)
Castle Acre to London	(89.9 miles, 144.6 km, direction S)

Hotels & Accommodation in Castle Acre

Hotel Name	Approximate distance from Castle Acre center
Best Western The George Hotel, Swaffham	(4.1 miles, 6.6 km, direction S)
Lydney House	(4.3 miles, 6.9 km, direction S)
Broomhall County Hotel	(10.2 miles, 16.5 km, direction SE)
Sculthorpe Mill	(10.3 miles, 16.5 km, direction NE)
Best Western Knights Hill Hotel	(10.4 miles, 16.7 km, direction NW)
The Wensum Lodge Hotel	(10.6 miles, 17.1 km, direction NE)
The Kings Head Hotel	(10.7 miles, 17.2 km, direction N)
The Crown Hotel	(10.8 miles, 17.3 km, direction NE)
Hill House	(10.8 miles, 17.4 km, direction E)
Phoenix Hotel	(10.8 miles, 17.4 km, direction E)
All hotels in Castle Acre