NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

Castle Acre Castle
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  • The castle was founded soon after the Norman conquest of 1066 by William de Warenne and was initially a stone 'country house'.

    During the first half of the 12th-century, however, more disturbed conditions prompted its progressive conversion into a strong keep, further defended by stone walls and an immense system of ditched earthworks.

    Still impressively visible, these are perhaps the finest village earthworks in England.

  • Opening times:
  • Free entry, open all year.
Castle Acre Priory
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  • Castle Acre Priory was inspired by the monastery at Cluny in France and was home to a community of monks until 1537, when Henry VIII disbanded all monastic houses.

    The priory's ruins span seven centuries and include a beautiful 12th-century church with an elaborately decorated west front, still rising to its full height, a 15th-century gatehouse and a porch, and prior's lodging still fit to live in.

    The recreated herb garden situated next to the visitor centre grows herbs that the monks would have used for medicinal, strewing, culinary and decorative purposes.

    Family events take place at Castle Acre Priory throughout the summer months, organised by English Heritage.

  • Opening times:
  • Visit the English Heritage website for opening times, prices and event information.
The Bailey Gate
The Bailey Gate
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  • By the early 13th-century Castle Acre castle boasted extensive walls built on raised earthworks in the lower ward below the keep, as well as a west and east gate, protected by an outer defence known as a barbican.

    The Bailey Gate still survives, the former north gateway to the 'planned' walled town newly created outside the fortress.

    Today the main road into the village still runs between its towers.
Parish Church of St James the Great
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  • The church of St James the Great is built of Norfolk flint on a grand scale. It was enlarged during the 14th and 15th centuries to its present size. There are excellent examples of Medieval painted woodwork, including a fine 'wine glass' pulpit, a canopied font cover and the remains of the rood screen panels of the 12 Apostles. The church is open every day.
West Acre Gardens
West Acre Gardens
  • Location:
  • Tumbleyhill Road,West Acre, Norfolk,PE32 1UJ

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  • West Acre Gardens is in a lovely old walled garden. This nursery is a treasure trove for plant lovers and the extensive display gardens have year round interest and beauty.

  • Café:
  • 9.30am-4.30pm
    The Apple Café is now open in the gardens, serving breakfasts, light lunches, cakes and cream teas. The Café is open from Easter to the end of September.

  • Nursery:
  • 9:30am-5pm, 7 Days a week.
    1st February to 30th November.
    Other times by appointment.

  • Website:
  • Visit the West Acre Gardens website.
Westacre Theatre
  • Location:
  • Westacre Theatre, River Road,
    West Acre PE32 1UD
    Tel: 01760 755 800

    Entertaining people all year round, Contemporary and classic plays. Music events. Reading groups. Drama workshops for young people.

    Patrons: Stephen Fry & Antony Gormley.
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    Check the Visit Westacre Theatre website for current events.
Oxburgh Hall
  • Location:
  • Oxborough, Norfolk PE33 9PS

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  • Oxburgh Hall is a 15th-century moated manor.

    Attractions at Oxburgh include; Secret doors and priest's hole, Mary Queen of Scots embroideries, The Bedingfeld family still in residence after 500yrs, Magnificent Tudor gatehouse, French parterre, Woodland walks and trails.

  • Website:
  • Visit the Oxburgh Hall website.
Houghton Hall
  • Location:
  • Houghton Hall, Norfolk, PE31 6UE

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  • Houghton Hall was built by England's first Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole.

    Attractions at Houghton include; a five-acre walled garden, stables, rare white deer, soldier museum, church, summer concerts & organic farm produce.

  • Website:
  • Visit the Houghton Hall website.
Holkham Hall
  • Location:
  • Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk, NR23 1AB

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  • Holkham Hall, home of the Coke family and the Earls of Leicester, was built between 1734 and 1764 by Thomas Coke, the first Earl of Leicester.

    There is plenty to see and do at Holkham including: the hall, the grounds, café, tearooms, pottery, shops, Bygones museum, history of farming exhibition, lake cruises, summer plays & cricket matches.

  • Website:
  • Visit the Holkham Hall website.
Sandringham Estate
  • Location:
  • Sandringham, Norfolk, PE35 6EH

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  • Sandringham is the much-loved country retreat of HM The Queen, and has been the private home of four generations of British monarchs since 1862.

    The house, set in 24 hectares of stunning gardens, is perhaps the most famous stately home in Norfolk and is at the heart of the 8,000-hectare Sandringham Estate, 240 hectares of which make up the woodland and heath of the Country Park, open to the public free of charge every day of the year.

    Visitors come to see the House, Museum and Gardens or just to enjoy the Country Park.

  • Website:
  • Visit the Sandringham Estate website.
Gooderstone Water Gardens
  • Location:
  • The Street, Gooderstone, King's Lynn, Norfolk, PE33 9BP

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  • A unique attraction for all garden lovers, naturalists, artists and photographers. Six beautiful acres of waterways, ponds and bridges. Plus 8-acre nature trail, kingfisher hide, plant sales and delicious homemade cakes. Dogs allowed. Garden open daily all year 10-5:30 (or dusk). Tearoom open 29 Mar-29 Sept every weekend inc. bank holidays. From 27 May open every day, except Mondays.

  • Website:
  • Visit the Gooderstone Water Gardens website.
Bircham Windmill
  • Location:
  • Great Bircham, Norfolk PE31 6SJ

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  • The only windmill in working order in the area open to the public, visitors can climb the five floors up to the fan stage and, when possible, on windy days, visitors can also see the sails and the milling machinery turning.

    There are many items of interest to see in the tearooms, bakery and grounds.

    Bicycle hire also available.

  • Website:
  • Visit the Bircham Windmill website.
The Wells & Walsingham Light Railway
  • Location:
  • Wells Next-the-Sea, Norfolk, NR23 1Q

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  • Visit the longest 10¼" narrow gauge steam railway in the world and see the unique Garratt locomotive "Norfolk Hero" which was especially built for this line.

    A great adventure for all the family in the delightful countryside of the North Norfolk coast.

  • Website:
  • Visit the Wells & Walsingham Light Railway website.
Seal trips
  • Location:
  • Blakeney or Moreston, Norfolk

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  • Take a boat trip to see the Seal colony at Blakeney Point, made up of around 500 common and grey seals. A guaranteed experience as the seals are always there.

    Some trips offer an hour's stop at the nature reserve where you can relax near one of the many secluded sand dunes, see migrant birds, or splash along the shoreline to the the old Lifeboat house, now an information centre owned by the National Trust.

    Daily 1hr boat trips all year round.
    Dogs on leads are welcome.

  • Operators:
  • Beans Boat Trips website
    Bishop's Boats website
    Temples Seal Trips website
The Brecks
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  • The Brecks has one of the most distinctive landscapes in the UK and boasts its best overall climate with low rainfall and hot summers.

    The area comprises vast forests of native coniferous softwood, lines of Scots pines called 'Deal rows' that are sometimes still maintained as true hedges, patches of classic historic heathland that were formed thousands of years ago by the felling and burning of forests for grazing land, and wide arable fields. The slightly sloping, easily draining sandy soil is also perfect for pig-rearing.

    Thetford Forest, planted just after the First World War by the Forestry Commission, covers 20,000 hectares and, just like the rest of the Brecks, is perfect for cycling, walking, horse riding and orienteering - or a more gentle picnic.

    The Brecks also has the Peddars Way, which runs for 63 miles from just outside Thetford at Knettishall Heath to the north Norfolk coast via Swaffham. The route eventually meets the North Norfolk Coast Path at Holme-next-the-Sea

Local events within 15 miles of Castle Acre