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Historic Towns & Picturesque Villages

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Beeston

in the county of Nottinghamshire

St Andrews Church a Ruin, at Roudham, Norfolk

Roudham

in the county of Norfolk

Pictures of Castle Acre

in the county of Norfolk

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.

Recommended towns & villages near Castle Acre

This is the Saxon Church in the village of Cockley Cley, Norfolk

Cockley Cley (10 Pictures) in the county of Norfolk

(7.3 miles, 11.7 km, direction S of Castle Acre)

Cockley Cley is famous for its beautiful reconstruction of a village once lived in by the Iceni tribe at the time of Queen Boudicca...

Sandringham House

Sandringham (27 Pictures) in the county of Norfolk

(10.9 miles, 17.5 km, direction NW of Castle Acre)

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...

Castle Rising Castle, Castle Rising, Norfolk

Castle Rising (44 Pictures) in the county of Norfolk

(11.0 miles, 17.7 km, direction NW of Castle Acre)

The sea has long since withdrawn from this one-time port, but the superb Norman castle built to protect it still stands...

Sugar Lane, Dersingham, Norfolk

Dersingham (5 Pictures) in the county of Norfolk

(12.0 miles, 19.2 km, direction NW of Castle Acre)

On approach to Dersingham by-passing lovely lavender fields, visitors could easily imagine they were driving through the abundant lavender lands of southern France, but this is.....

Norfolk Lavender Farm, Heacham

Heacham (30 Pictures) a Picturesque Village in the county of Norfolk

(16.0 miles, 25.8 km, direction NW of Castle Acre)

At the heart of Norfolk's Lavender growing industry lies the pretty seaside village of Heacham...

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Nearby attractions..

Castle Acre Priory

Castle Acre Priory (49 Pictures)

(0.4 miles, 0.7 km)

No one looking at the impressive remains of this Cluniac Priory founded by William de Warenne, 2nd Earl of Surrey towards the end.....

This is the Saxon Church in the village of Cockley Cley, Norfolk

Iceni Village & Museum (14 Pictures)

(7.3 miles, 11.7 km, direction S)

This lovely museum hidden in lush Breckland countryside is set to delight and intrigue visitors of all ages. The atmospheric.....

Stream and Oxburgh Hall, Norfolk. Photographed 25/03/07

Oxburgh Hall & Garden (54 Pictures)

(9.9 miles, 15.9 km, direction SW)

This fascinating house with its striking twin towers to either side of the entrance hall, gables, roof-line turrets and tall.....

Castle Rising Castle

Castle Rising Castle (30 Pictures)

(10.8 miles, 17.4 km, direction NW)

Normally known simply as Castle Rising, the castle has for centuries dominated the quiet village where it stands in a large area.....

Sandringham House, Norfolk

Sandringham House (55 Pictures)

(11.0 miles, 17.7 km, direction NW)

Sandringham House, although a Royal residence does not have the rarefied atmosphere of a grand house, this is largely due to the.....

Bishop Bonner's Cottage, Dereham, Norfolk

Bishop Bonner's Cottage (1 Pictures)

(11.2 miles, 18.1 km, direction E)

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Tales of the Old Gaol House, King's Lynn

Tales of the Old Gaol House (2 Pictures)

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