Things to see and do at Castle Acre Priory
Visit Castle Acre Priory and enjoy a day exploring East Anglia’s biggest and best-preserved monastic ruins. There’s a free audio guide, an interactive exhibition and plenty of grounds for you to explore, not to mention the other free English Heritage sites nearby. Read on to learn the best things to see and do on a trip to Castle Acre Priory.
Enjoy amazing architecture
The dramatic and beautiful West Front of Castle Acre Priory was designed to emphasise the importance of the site. It still impresses visitors today.
Walk around the ruins of the church including the Cloister and Chapter House before entering the Prior’s Lodgings and exploring the rooms inside. Check out the free audio tour which will guide you around the site.
Explore the interactive exhibition
Visit the new stonework display in the Prior’s Lodgings and find out how churches were made in Norman times.
Challenge yourself to have a go at the interactive exhibition. Do you have what it takes to be a medieval builder?
Take the family trail
Grab a trail leaflet and meet Brother Odo as he guides you around Castle Acre Priory.
Then head out into the village to explore the Bailey Gate and Castle Acre Castle, two more English Heritage sites, which are free to visit.
Castle Acre was an important medieval village. This trail helps you imagine all the different jobs people did back then – whether they worked, fought or prayed.
Stop for a picnic
Explore the recreated herb garden, which grows plants the monks would have used for medicinal and culinary purposes.
Enjoy the wonderful grounds as you pick your perfect picnic bench spot to stop for a bite with the gorgeous views of Castle Acre Priory for company.
Let little ones run around and let off steam as there’s plenty of room in the grounds!
Build your own … forest
Throughout England’s history, people have always been connected to forests, whether they lived in a palace, castle, abbey or village. Forests provided timber for building houses and firewood to keep warm, while kings and queens hunted among the trees.
What will your forest look like? Which trees, flowers, bushes and plants will you have? What animals will call it home? Follow the trail (one of four World Builder Challenge trails at our sites) and come up with your own answers.
Find out more about the World Builder Challenge trails and where you can find them.