CASTLE ACRE

Norfolk

Castle Acre was constructed by William de Warenne, Earl of Surrey soon after the Conquest. It was originally a ringwork surrounding a hall-cum-keep.  At the same time a wall was constructed around the small village.  Soon afterwards the de Warenne's built the Cluniac Priory which survives at the other end of town in better condition than the Castle.  For a while the monks lodged in the Castle bailey.

In the Anarchy the third William de Warenne turned the ringwork into a motte and turned the hall into a more traditional keep, making the Castle much stronger in the process.  He probably added the gate into the town walls too (surviving today and known somewhat inaccurately as the Bailey Gate).

Sadly the Castle had a very short life as the keep was demolished after the Anarchy by Henry II, although the curtain wall was left.  The de Warenne's continued to live here from time to time until their line died out in 1347.

Not much remains of the Castle beyond its very impressive motte and the bottom bits of the keep, but combined with a walk around the town and a visit to one of the handsomest of British Priories makes for a good afternoon out.

Castle and Priory are owned by English Heritage.

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2018