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Around Castle Acre

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Our view

"A walk between Castle Acre and West Acre, once dominated by religious houses."

Walk directions

From the green, walk along the lane past St James' Church until you reach the entrance to the priory. Bear right around the corner and then left, after a few paces, down the wide track signed 'Nar Valley Way'. Continue until you reach a bend of the River Nar.

At the river, turn left and go through the kissing gate along the trail waymarked with a Nar Valley Way disk. Walk alongside a hedge past a wet meadow, with the River Nar to your left, and enter a wood. Keep to this grassy track, continuing through the wood until you reach a gate. Cross the footbridge and keep straight ahead along a boardwalk to another footbridge over the River Nar, with the old Mill House on your left. When you reach a lane with a ford on your right, go straight across to the signed path opposite and walk along a woodland track, looking for glimpses of West Acre priory ruins ahead to the left across fields.

Just before reaching a large gate, turn sharp left along a footpath that leads across fields alongside a fence and a hedge. The ruins of West Acre priory are clearly visible to the right. Follow this footpath for 0.25 miles (400m) until you reach a lane. Cross the lane and take the footpath opposite (not the bridleway on your left). Go up a hill, under power lines and past a wood. At the crest of the hill you reach a junction.

Turn left onto the bridleway and continue straight ahead at two crossroads. Look for deer and shy game birds, and note the prairie-style fields to the left and right.

Turn left at the third crossroads, onto an ancient drove road used in Roman times, passing Bartholomew's Hills Plantation on your right. Keep walking uphill along this sandy track until you see Castle Acre Priory and St James' Church through the trees ahead. As you descend, go under the power lines again, and meet a lane at the foot of the hill.

Go straight ahead on the lane, which is part of the Peddars Way. At the next junction go straight on again, down the lane marked 'Ford – Deep Water'. Walk past Church Farm on your right to reach a pebble-bottomed river and a ford. Through the trees you will glimpse splendid views of the priory to your left. Cross the river and continue walking along this tiny lane until you see an acorn sign marking the Peddars Way.

Turn right along the Peddars Way and keep walking straight ahead until you see a sign for Blind Lane, just after another road joins from the left. Turn left at the junction, then right into Cuckstool Lane, with the castle to your left. Follow the grassy path, which skirts around the castle bailey, climbing steeply to arrive at a lane.

Turn left and walk along the lane, past the village hall and old Bailey gate, to the village green.

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Location

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Footpaths, trackways and some tiny country lanes; can be very muddy, nettles, some steps

Landscape - Wooded river valley, open fields

Dog friendliness - Can run free, but should be on lead on farmland

Parking - On road by village green, Castle Acre

Toilets en route - Priory Road, near entrance to Castle Acre Priory

Walks in Norfolk Dog-friendly walks in Norfolk

About the walk

Castle Acre was founded as a daughter Cluniac priory to that at Lewes, in Sussex, and was richly endowed. Trouble erupted as Cluny sought to retain control, but the Norfolk clerics resisted. Things came to a head in 1283, when Prior William discovered that he had been replaced by Benedict of Cluny....

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About the area

The North Norfolk Coast is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and probably the finest of its kind in Europe. Here you’ll find a string of quaint villages and small towns – Holkham, Wells-next-the-Sea and Cley next the Sea are 21st-century favourites, while Sheringham and Cromer are classic examples of a good old-fashioned seaside resort where grand Victorian hotels look out to sea.

Route details

Difficulty:

Hard

Gradient:

Challenging

Distance:

6.5 miles (10.4kms)

Ascent:

230ft (70m)

If you like this walk, you can try more routes in the area.

Find more walks in Norfolk

Around Castle Acre

Recommended by

Our view

"A walk between Castle Acre and West Acre, once dominated by religious houses."

Walk details

Difficulty:

Hard

Gradient:

Challenging

Distance:

6.5 miles (10.4kms)

Ascent:

230ft (70m)

Walk directions

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Turn left onto the bridleway and continue straight ahead at two crossroads. Look for deer and shy game birds, and note the prairie-style fields to the left and right.

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5 of 8

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Turn left and walk along the lane, past the village hall and old Bailey gate, to the village green.

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Location

Starting point

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Footpaths, trackways and some tiny country lanes; can be very muddy, nettles, some steps

Landscape - Wooded river valley, open fields

Dog friendliness - Can run free, but should be on lead on farmland

Parking - On road by village green, Castle Acre

Toilets en route - Priory Road, near entrance to Castle Acre Priory

Walks in Norfolk Dog-friendly walks in Norfolk

About the walk

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more

About the area

Norfolk

Around Castle Acre

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Around Castle Acre

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