Castle Acre Castle and Bailey Gate

Castle Acre Castle and Bailey Gate preserve two parts of a Norman planned settlement in the Norfolk countryside. The castle's earthworks, ruined keep and curtain walls show how successive defences developed, while the stone gateway still frames the village road. Standing above the baileys makes the scale of the ditches and banks easier to appreciate than it first appears from street level. Visitors recommend allowing time to walk around the earthworks and often combine the stop with the separate visit to nearby Castle Acre Priory. An official six-mile walking guide links the castle, priory and Nar Valley. Access from the Pye's Lane car park involves steps, while the Bailey Street approach reaches the outer bailey without steps but can become muddy. Dogs on leads are welcome, and pedestrians should take care where traffic passes through the gate.