Castle Acre Castle

Castle Acre Castle is a Norman fortress in Norfolk with a stone keep and extensive earthwork defenses spread across the River Nar valley. The grounds contain several building complexes including residential areas, storage facilities, and defensive zones distributed across roughly 4.25 hectares.

William de Warenne founded the fortification around 1070 as a timber structure that was transformed into a massive stone building over the following decades. This transformation reflects Norman consolidation of power in England and shows the shift from temporary to permanent defenses.

The castle served as the long-term seat of the powerful Warenne family and shaped the life of the surrounding settlement for centuries. The layout of buildings shows how military function and daily living were closely woven together here.

Access to the grounds is available during daylight hours, with parking available on Pye's Lane for visitors. Sturdy footwear is recommended as the terrain is uneven and the earthworks can become slippery in wet weather.

The defensive ditch is roughly 17 meters wide, showing the substantial effort put into securing this fortress. This massive earthwork was among the deepest and widest examples of its kind in the region during that period.

Location: England

Inception: 1140

Part of: Castle Acre Castle, town defences and Bailey Gate

Website: https://english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/castle-acre-castle-acre-priory

GPS coordinates: 52.70310,0.69329

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:48