Pictures of Castle Acre Priory

in the town of Castle Acre, in the county of Norfolk

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About Castle Acre Priory

No one looking at the impressive remains of this Cluniac Priory founded by William de Warenne, 2nd Earl of Surrey towards the end of the 11th-century can be left in any doubt as to the wealth of its benefactors, nor the skill of the Cluniac builders. Scolland, steward to Earl Alan of Richmond was a great benefactor of the priory, he is buried within its grounds.

The romantic priory remains can be discovered in the grounds of the Castle Acre Estate, they are immediately eye catching and startling in their grace and beauty, with the remains of the majestic great west front of the church being almost untouched. Here there is much intricate workmanship to be seen, this reminds us that the Cluniacs were often criticised for their wealth, which was displayed throughout the building by what was considered at the time to be excessive decoration. Fortunately, amongst these ruins, much has remained for us to appreciate today.

The Prior's lodgings attached to the church show many delightful features, with the western range of the cloisters being extended in the 14th-century, when a decorative round window was added to the Prior's study. This part of the priory remains is particularly well preserved, which may be largely due to the fact that despite the Dissolution of 1537, the Prior's lodgings continued in use until well into the 18th-century, thus over the centuries they were the subject of several alterations and internal additions. Today, this building shows well the ease and grace of a 15th-century mansion house, telling of the extravagance in which the prior lived and entertained.

Throughout the landscape on which the priory was built there are smaller remains, even these show some semblance of the detail of the building, and what remains of the long external walls give a clear indication the overall size of the collective buildings.

In this quiet corner of Norfolk, beneath blue skies with rosy pink tinted clouds, there is a hushed, hallowed atmosphere which has an almost calming, uplifting effect and looking at the sweeping countryside surrounding the priory you can see at once just why the Cluniacs chose to build their magnificent building here. For the visitor, there is not simply the delight of the ruins, but views over beautiful open countryside where once the monk's would have tended their sheep.
Please see below for other recommended attractions and towns to visit near Castle Acre Priory.

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

Recommended attractions near Castle Acre Priory

Castle Acre Castle	(0.7 miles, 1.2 km)	Pictures
Iceni Village & Museum	(6.9 miles, 11.1 km, direction S)	Pictures
Oxburgh Hall	(9.5 miles, 15.3 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Castle Rising Castle	(10.8 miles, 17.3 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Sandringham House	(11.1 miles, 17.8 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Bishop Bonner's Cottage	(11.4 miles, 18.4 km, direction E)	Pictures
Tales of the Old Gaol House	(12.5 miles, 20.0 km, direction W)	Pictures
Holkham Hall	(17.8 miles, 28.6 km, direction N)	Pictures
Dinosaur Adventure Park	(18.3 miles, 29.5 km, direction E)	Pictures
Binham Priory	(18.7 miles, 30.1 km, direction NE)	Pictures

All attractions in Norfolk
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Castle Acre Priory

Castle Acre, in the county of Norfolk (0.4 miles, 0.7 km)
This lovely village is found on the old Peddlers Way which joined Holme-next-the-Sea to the Roman garrison at Colchester.
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Cockley Cley, in the county of Norfolk (6.9 miles, 11.1 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.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Sandringham, in the county of Norfolk (10.9 miles, 17.6 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 (12.1 miles, 19.4 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, 20.6 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 (13.9 miles, 22.4 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 (14.1 miles, 22.8 km, direction SW)
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Great Snoring, in the county of Norfolk (14.7 miles, 23.7 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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Heacham, in the county of Norfolk (16.2 miles, 26.1 km, direction NW)
At the heart of Norfolk's Lavender growing industry lies the pretty seaside village of Heacham.
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All towns in Norfolk
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Kings Lynn Station	(12.2 miles, 19.6 km, direction W)
Watlington Station	(12.8 miles, 20.5 km, direction W)
Norwich Airport	(25.4 miles, 40.9 km, direction E)
Cambridge Airport	(40.5 miles, 65.2 km, direction SW)
M11 Junction 14	(41.7 miles, 67.0 km, direction SW)
M11 Junction 13	(42.4 miles, 68.2 km, direction SW)
Castle Acre Priory to London	(89.5 miles, 144.0 km, direction S)

Accommodation & Hotels near Castle Acre Priory

Hotel Name
Best Western The George Hotel, Swaffham	(3.8 miles, 6.0 km, direction S)
Lydney House	(4.0 miles, 6.4 km, direction S)
Broomhall County Hotel	(10.1 miles, 16.2 km, direction SE)
Best Western Knights Hill Hotel	(10.3 miles, 16.6 km, direction NW)
Sculthorpe Mill	(10.7 miles, 17.2 km, direction NE)
The Kings Head Hotel	(11.0 miles, 17.6 km, direction N)
Hill House	(11.0 miles, 17.7 km, direction E)
Phoenix Hotel	(11.0 miles, 17.7 km, direction E)
The Wensum Lodge Hotel	(11.1 miles, 17.8 km, direction NE)
The Crown Hotel	(11.2 miles, 18.0 km, direction NE)
All of our hotels are available to book online & with special discounts