A reconstruction by Peter Dunn of the west front as it may have looked in the second half of the 12th century.

The arched doorway in the west front of the church was the main entrance used by monks in procession.

Blind arcading describes a series of arches sometimes stacked up in tiers, as at Castle Acre Priory. The arches have no structural purpose; they are applied to the face of the wall as a purely decorative feature.

A reconstruction by Peter Dunn of the inside of the chapter house as it may have looked in about 1200. The prior sat on the throne in the middle, while the monks sat around the outside on stone benches. The community gathered here each day to read the Rule of St. Benedict, in Latin.

The north wall of the chapter house interior. The the base are the remains of the monks' bench. 

The latrine was a large toilet block built over a stream. Twenty-four monks could use the toilet at the same time. The upper storey was on the same level as the dormitory (which it adjoined) and could be used by the monks during the night. The lower storey was at ground level, making it easier to use during the day.

The latrine block has been cleverly designed in response to the natural features of the landscape, on a spot over a stream that allowed for the quick disposal of waste: a particularly fine example of medieval plumbing.

An aerial view of the church, looking across the transepts, crossing and nave from east to west.

Carved stones are used to decorate the West Front with bold shapes including zig-zags, chevrons (arrowshapes), step-shapes and circles.

The location of the cloister on the southern side of the church was common in monasteries, allowing the monks to enjoy the warmth and light of the sun. Many monks spent much of the day walking, reading, writing and thinking in the cloister, when not at services in church.

These steps were used by monks to get between the cloister, on the ground floor, and the dormitory (their shared sleeping quarters) on the floor above.

An aerial view of Castle Acre, showing the relationship between the priory, village and castle. 

Castle Acre Castle was founded soon after the Battle of Hastings by the first William de Warenne, who fought alongside William the Conqueror. It's a fine example of a motte-and-bailey castle built in the Norman period.

The Bailey Gate is one of two stone gatehouses added to the settlement's massive earthwork defences in about 1200. The main road into the village still runs between its towers.

A view - from the east - of the ditch, mound and stone remains of the upper ward at Castle Acre Castle.