Web Analytics

Castle Acre Circular Walk

This Castle Acre Circular Walk is an easy and incredibly varied stroll in a very pretty part of rural West Norfolk.

The River Nar around Castle Acre, Norfolk

You'll meander alongside the picturesque River Nar and the flood meadows (which takes in part of the Nar Valley Way trail), and you'll continue on through attractive woodland and out onto open fields.  You'll walk along hedgerows full of wildlife and with wonderful views across the countryside, and finally walk up past the impressive ancient ruins of Castle Acre Priory which forms part of the Peddars Way, arriving back in Castle Acre village where you can have a well-deserved drink/lunch/tea in the local pub, the Ostrich Inn, or choose one of the tea rooms in the centre of the village. 

This Castle Acre Circular Walk will give you a real feel for rural Norfolk and the environs – chalk stream rivers and reed beds, intensive farming, woodland and castle ruins! 

Castle Acre village is on the trail of the Peddars Way, and this walk takes in a tiny part of that particular trail.  If you would like to walk more of the Peddars Way or indeed the Norfolk Coast Path, then Explore Norfolk UK can help tailor a walking holiday just for you, where you can enjoy and relax whilst walking along some incredibly historic and rural countryside.

And what better way to finish a walk than in the relaxed atmosphere of this pretty village?

This walk also features in the Norfolk Heritage Walks book below.

Norfolk Heritage Walks

If ruins and history interest you, or you just want some different walks, take a look at this Norfolk Heritage Walks book which covers 18 circular walks in Norfolk with each one having a particular interest such as a castle or priory ruin, a windpump or lighthouse.  All have a story to tell...

You can read more about this Norfolk Heritage Walks book here.

The Castle Acre Circular Walk

Length: 6 miles
Ease of Walk:  easy with a few inclines
What you’ll see:  Clear chalk stream of the River Nar, woodland, open fields and farm tracks with vistas across the countryside, hedgerows, Castle Acre Priory ruins, Castle Acre village
OS map:  No 236

PDF booklet:  You can print this walk out in pdf format as a booklet here.

Video of the walk is here.

Castle Acre Priory and the River Nar
Map of Castle Acre circular walk

The best place to start this Castle Acre Circular Walk is in the middle of the village.  That way, you finish your walk in the village where there are lots of available refreshments, be it a pub or in one of the few tea rooms dotted around the centre of the village.

The Ostrich Inn, Castle Acre
Church Gate Tea Room and B&B, Castle Acre

This is a 6.1 mile walk and will take you about 2 hours, 2 ¼ hours and is a brilliant dog friendly walk.  Much of the time they can spend off the lead , really enjoying themselves.

There is free parking around the Bailey Gate and Green. The best place to start the Castle Acre circular walk would be to park here and head away from the village, with the church on your left, and down towards The Priory (signposted) keeping the remains of the flintstone wall on your left.

The beginning of the Castle Acre Circular Walk
Castle Acre Circular Walk Signs and Nar Valley Way markers


At the end of this road, you reach a T junction, (The Priory being on your left).  You want to turn right and follow the road to the next corner.  Here you take the track to the left (all very well signposted with the circular walk in blue and, where appropriate,The Nar Valley Way signs in pink).  This particular sign on the left was further on in the walk but gives you a good example of how well the walk is marked.


You continue to follow this track down to the River Nar where you come across a wooden kissing gate and, in my opinion, the most scenic part of the walk.   Enjoy this wonderful scenery alongside the River Nar, continuing along the flood meadow to the start of an undulating woodland path which eventually brings you to a board walk, two footbridges, an attractive imposing mill house and finally a tarmac road.  All of this stretch is very obvious to follow, the river and paths through the wood are well trodden.  In autumn, the colours in the wood are spectacular.

River Nar
Castle Acre Circular Walk along the River Nar
Castle Acre Circular walk boardwalk
Woodland near Castle Acre

Once you reach the tarmac road, it’s worth just turning right to the ford and standing on the bridge over the River Nar and admiring the beautiful river.  Look to see if you can see any trout swimming along in the clear chalk stream, or just while a way a few minutes relaxing at the slow pace of life.   After all, that's why you're walking isn't it!?

The ford at West Acre

To continue on this Castle Acre circular walk, retrace your steps from the ford up the slight incline to the grass car park on the right, turn right here. 

A short way along this heathland bear left along a narrow footpath (almost coming back on yourself).  This path has a hedge on the right with a view of West Acre Priory, and a post and wire fence on your left-hand side. 

West Acre Priory in the distance
Countryside views on the circular walk around Castle Acre

At the end of this very short track you’ll reach a tarmac road, cross straight over this road and continue up the hill along a track running between fields on either side.  Continue on up past a wood on your left (but at this stage do turn round and admire the fantastic view of the remoteness of Norfolk).

Carry on straight past the wood, don’t go right or left, continue up the hill until you reach the end of the field.  Turn left here and stroll along the well-worn tracks with the hedge on your left and open countryside on both sides of you (there are signs all the way along this walk, you can’t go wrong!)

Open countryside around Castle Acre

You really get a sense of peace and quiet, especially I found along this part of the walk, as you feel a million miles away from the busy bustling lives elsewhere.

Castle Acre Circular walk around farm tracks

From here, just follow the signs, walking along the farm tracks that eventually bring you to another tarmac road with a wonderful beech hedge.  From here, turn right, walk along the pleasant tranquil country lane, passing South Acre Church as well as a few very pretty houses, and then take the left hand fork before a sharp corner.

The tranquil lanes around Castle Acre

This leads you into a very quiet lane, and almost immediately you get a chance to have spectacular views over to the ruins of Castle Acre Priory.  This is part of the Peddars Way walk.  This road brings you to another ford, and woe betide if you see any cars going through it, as they will ruin the bottom of their vehicle!

The impressive ruins of Castle Acre Priory

Walk over the bridge and again, just take time to admire the view of Castle Acre Priory from this standpoint (see the photo below).

Castle Acre Priory overlooking the River Nar

To deviate from the Castle Acre circular walk, you could, at this stage, walk around the outside of the Priory, but if you just want to get back to the village with the thought of refreshments looming large (!), follow the road straight up the hill and this will bring you back to the church and finally the village. 

And if you want to see the Castle ruins, all you need to do is walk straight through the village, and on the corner is a small lane which will take you to the ruins and wonderful views over the surrounding countryside.

Castle Acre Priory and Castle Acre Castle are definitely worthy of a visit.  It's a wonderful, quiet and unassuming village to come and relax in.  It’s also bang in the middle of the Peddars Way National Trail and a great place to base yourself for one night if you’re walking this path.