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View of Castle Acre Priory – Castle Acre Bailey Gate loop from Swaffham

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

View of Castle Acre Priory – Castle Acre Bailey Gate loop from Swaffham

Moderate

hikers

View of Castle Acre Priory – Castle Acre Bailey Gate loop from Swaffham

04:58

19.0km

130m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: August 2, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

7.61 km

St George's Church, South Acre

Highlight • Religious Site

The tiny hamlet of South Acre was once a thriving village but has now all but disappeared. It is a far cry from its much busier cousin Castle Acre. St George's Church is partly Norman (the nave and font) with additions in the 13th, 14th, 15th & 16th centuries. In the church yard at the front is the remains of a stone medieval cross.

Tip by

9.11 km

View of Castle Acre Priory

Highlight • Religious Site

Castle Acre Priory is open to the public through the care of English Heritage. It is well worth paying to go in, but if you aren't able to, there is a sneaky view of the impressive priory ruins from here. It dates back to Norman times and was built by William de Warenne, the 2nd Earl of Surrey, in 1089. It was home to the first Cluniac monks in England and unlike some other English monasteries, the ruins are still intact in many places.

Tip by

9.36 km

Castle Acre Village and Castle Ruins

Highlight • Castle

Little village with a lot to offer. A well stocked village shop, cafe and pub for restocking mid ride along the Peddars way.

Tip by

9.44 km

Castle Acre Bailey Gate

Highlight • Historical Site

The fantastic bailey gate here reminds me of a similar specimen I saw in Belgium at Veurne. Not far from here is the Red Lion Hostel which is run by a 90 year old lady called Alison, wonderful place to stay if you get the chance.

Tip by

9.66 km

Castle Acre Castle and Bailey Gate

Highlight • Castle

Castle Acre Castle was built shortly after the Battle of Hastings by the first William de Warenne, a close associate of William the Conqueror. It's an extraordinarily well-preserved example of a motte-and-bailey castle and is hailed as one of the country's most impressive Norman earthworks. The site is owned by English Heritage and is free to enter.

Tip by

10.1 km

River Nar Bridge

Highlight • River

10.7 km

River Nar Ford at South Acre Road

Highlight • River

Great tea rooms in Castle Acre worth a visit.

Tip by

18.7 km

Swaffham Buttercross

Highlight • Settlement

The Buttercross is in the middle of Swaffham. It is the centre of a weekly market. When the farmer sold their butter, they opened their stands in the shade of the Buttercross so it wouldn't melt away.

Tip by

19.0 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

9.38 km

7.76 km

784 m

627 m

489 m

Surfaces

8.12 km

4.15 km

3.34 km

2.45 km

898 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (80 m)

Lowest point (30 m)

Weather

Thursday 6 August

24°C

8°C

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View of Castle Acre Priory – Castle Acre Bailey Gate loop from Swaffham

St George's Church, South Acre

View of Castle Acre Priory

Castle Acre Village and Castle Ruins

Castle Acre Bailey Gate

Castle Acre Castle and Bailey Gate

River Nar Bridge

River Nar Ford at South Acre Road

Swaffham Buttercross

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