Castle Acre
| Castle Acre | |
| Norfolk | |
|---|---|
 The Priory at Castle Acre | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | TF816151 |
| Location: | 52°42’11"N, 0°41’11"E |
| Data | |
| Population: | 848 (2011) |
| Post town: | King's Lynn |
| Postcode: | PE32 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | King's Lynn and West Norfolk |
Castle Acre is a village in Norfolk, standing beside the River Nar some four miles north of Swaffham, in the north of the county. The county town, Norwich, is 33 miles distant.
The village is best known today for the twin ruins of Castle Acre Castle and Castle Acre Priory, which lie immediately to the east and west of the village respectively. Both were founded soon after the Norman Conquest by William de Warenne, the first Earl of Surrey. At its heyday, Castle Acre played an important role in the affairs of the State, with many visits from royalty. Castle Acre itself was once a fortified town and still possesses one of its gates, the Bailey Gate. When first established, Castle Acre was one of the finest examples of Norman town planning in the country, and much of this can still be seen.[1]
The castle, the bailey gate and the priory are now all three in the care of English Heritage.
The civil parish in the 2011 census had a population of 848. The parish shares boundaries with the adjacent parishes of Rougham, Great Massingham, West Acre, South Acre, Newton by Castle Acre and Lexham.
The village may be found just half a miles west of the A1065 Mildenhall to Fakenham road, but is clearly visible from the road. The hamlet of Fiddler's Green lies to the northeast of the village.[2]
Outside links
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Castle Acre) |
References
- ↑ Castles Abbeys and Mediæval Buildings. Castle Acre Castle Priory. Retrieved February 9, 2006.
- ↑ Kagachi, Chihiro (1988). Atlas of Norfolk.
