Castle Acre Priory
Castle Acre Priory
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
Closed
Friday
Closed
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
Are you currently on your trip?
Help us find experiences available for you.
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
5 within 3 miles
Attractions
14 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- bexy81St. Albans, United Kingdom325 contributionsAbsolute gem of a place. Firstly it was so nice to be able to take our dog into the priory and surrounding walk. Parking was excellent onsite by the shop, wonderful customer service from the lady who went out of her way to tell us about the priory it's buildings and advice on a walk to a stream. It's a lovely walk and is exposed to the elements, so if like us, it was a lovely hot sunny day, make sure you wear a hat! Lots of pockets of space for picnics which I think would be something I would of done as the views are perfect. After our walk we then took the trail thru the fields towards the church and pub. It's worth the price as the upkeep of the grounds, though if you are a English Heritage member you get in for free.Visited June 2024Traveled with friendsWritten June 27, 2024
- thebin16Milton Keynes, United Kingdom181 contributionsA site with a huge amount of history in the remaining ruins. The buildings were clearly once very ornate, given the carving that stil appears on some walls. With the informative boards around the site it was easy to picture the priory as it once was. Staff all very friendly and helpful. Shame the loos had been vandalised - the staff loos had been opened instead (note, the hot water is *very*hot - probably should be turned down!).Visited November 2024Traveled with familyWritten November 5, 2024
- Jan T86 contributionsReally interesting history. Small display available before entering large site or worth buying guide/audio guide. Spent circa 90 minutes looking around the site. Car park/shop/toilets on site. No cafe but hot drinks available. helpful and friendly staff. Can take your four legged friend with you!Visited January 2025Traveled with familyWritten January 6, 2025
- Christina PWest Malling, United Kingdom25 contributionsWe were so pleased we chose this site as we usually just visit the castle. It really has the wow factor. It helped that we had a sunny day. The staff were exceptional. Had an issue with my Autistic son trying to leave the site and suddenly a lot of members with dogs. We were assisted and this really made a difference to our day. Excellent staff.Visited November 2024Traveled with familyWritten November 3, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
456 reviews
Excellent
308
Very good
126
Average
19
Poor
3
Terrible
0
Ann C
Nashville, TN3,395 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
Castle Acre Priory could have been a standout experience, but it fell short due to a few notable issues. In my visits to various English Heritage sites, I have never encountered staff as cold and unwelcoming as those at this location. Additionally, the bathrooms were closed at least 35 minutes before the property itself closed, which was inconvenient.
If the entrance fee feels too steep, there is a trail that circles the property. Although the grass along the trail was quite tall and unkempt, it still offers a good vantage point for viewing the site. We noticed other visitors making use of the trail, and it seems to be a worthwhile option for those looking to enjoy the area from the outside.
If the entrance fee feels too steep, there is a trail that circles the property. Although the grass along the trail was quite tall and unkempt, it still offers a good vantage point for viewing the site. We noticed other visitors making use of the trail, and it seems to be a worthwhile option for those looking to enjoy the area from the outside.
Written August 18, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rosy
Leicester, UK54 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
We loved it here for a couple of hours stop off with our 2 dogs. The castle is well preserved considering its age (if only the same could be said about me). It seems to have attracted a good mix of ages, kids running around having fun, families with dogs, older folks. Lovely little village with lots of parking and a nice pub. Definitely call in with a picnic on a nice day :)
Written July 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ChrissyP
5 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
We are members and visited on the way home from a holiday on the coast. We had a very warm welcome at reception and an informative description of the Priory and Castle.
The site is fascinating and gives a real insight into life in the Priory at the time. Very atmospheric. Well worth the visit.
The village is a reasonable walk away and has a cafe and a pub, but the Priory site itself would surely benefit from a cafe. We feel EH are missing a trick here. The toilets are also located well away from the site. They are unisex, which we (and a number of other people, judging by the look on their faces) are really uncomfortable with.
The site is fascinating and gives a real insight into life in the Priory at the time. Very atmospheric. Well worth the visit.
The village is a reasonable walk away and has a cafe and a pub, but the Priory site itself would surely benefit from a cafe. We feel EH are missing a trick here. The toilets are also located well away from the site. They are unisex, which we (and a number of other people, judging by the look on their faces) are really uncomfortable with.
Written October 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fluffievelluto
Henlow, UK1,304 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
Received a warm welcome at the ticket office on what was to be a more blustery and stormy day than originally forecast.
However, we still enjoyed a lunchtime picnic before wandering the ruins.
Was in awe at the remaining decorative frontage and loved that you can access the Prior’s Lodgings. However the highlight was realising we'd walked through the latrine gulley!
However, we still enjoyed a lunchtime picnic before wandering the ruins.
Was in awe at the remaining decorative frontage and loved that you can access the Prior’s Lodgings. However the highlight was realising we'd walked through the latrine gulley!
Written August 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MarcusHurley
Calne, UK10,885 contributions
Jul 2020
We arrived about 20 minutes late at Castle Acre Priory after driving through some beautiful Norfolk villages on a typical English summer day with glaring sun and lashing rain in the space of ten minutes. Being an English Heritage site everything was well organised although the car park was small and a lot of visitors seemed to park in the village and walk. There was a marked one way route through the grounds of the priory so we set off to explore.
Built in the decade after the Norman Conquest the priory was of the Clunaic Order and was built alongside the nearby castle. The prior's lodging was one of the last buildings to be completed and also the only one that survived almost intact. Sadly for our visit, the building is currently surrounded by scaffolding so we couldn't go inside or see anything of the exterior. After Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries in the 1530's much of the priory was sold and demolished.
The priory must have been impressively large in its heyday but now almost all the stonework had been looted and there was only one with with some splendid carvings and designs. Most of the rest was just bare flint and it was difficult to get any sense of the original building. Perhaps the best preserved element was the latrines, a 2 story building built over a stream that was probably quite sophisticated for its time and almost equalled Roman hygiene from 1200 years earlier!
The kitchen garden was lovely to see and it was fascinating watching the bees on the lavender, although I did learn how ridiculously hard they are to photograph and I obviously need a new camera lens! There was also an exhibition on the castle and priory (we didn't visit the castle this time) including a reconstruction of the priory which really helped put the ruins in context.
Built in the decade after the Norman Conquest the priory was of the Clunaic Order and was built alongside the nearby castle. The prior's lodging was one of the last buildings to be completed and also the only one that survived almost intact. Sadly for our visit, the building is currently surrounded by scaffolding so we couldn't go inside or see anything of the exterior. After Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries in the 1530's much of the priory was sold and demolished.
The priory must have been impressively large in its heyday but now almost all the stonework had been looted and there was only one with with some splendid carvings and designs. Most of the rest was just bare flint and it was difficult to get any sense of the original building. Perhaps the best preserved element was the latrines, a 2 story building built over a stream that was probably quite sophisticated for its time and almost equalled Roman hygiene from 1200 years earlier!
The kitchen garden was lovely to see and it was fascinating watching the bees on the lavender, although I did learn how ridiculously hard they are to photograph and I obviously need a new camera lens! There was also an exhibition on the castle and priory (we didn't visit the castle this time) including a reconstruction of the priory which really helped put the ruins in context.
Written July 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BNA20152015
Bath, UK433 contributions
Oct 2021
Having visited the Castle ( which is free ) and been most impressed we were a little surprised to see the entrance fee for the Priory. To be fair, the remains are impressive and it makes a visit to the village well worth while.
If you enjoy it check out Castle Rising nearby.
If you enjoy it check out Castle Rising nearby.
Written October 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christopher B
Harringay, UK11 contributions
Oct 2022
A very interesting English Heritage site. Has a free audio guide included in the entrance fee. It’s a large site and good for a picnic. Has a very small shop and basic but clean toilets. No cafe but it’s a short walk to the Ostrich pub which serves excellent food or just a coffee. The next door cafe was closed on our visit. Also the Castle (free entrance) can be visit either by way of a pleasant short walk or it has its own car park.
Well worth the trip
Well worth the trip
Written October 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Caking around Britain x
Wakefield, UK1,234 contributions
Apr 2021
This is one of the nicest priories I have visited. Beautiful architecture. The west front is stunning and well worth the visit just for this. An English Heritage property there is a shop and museum run by friendly, informative staff. Its quite a large site and you can easily loose 1 hour here. Follow a free map/leaflet or get a guide book to make the most of your visit. There is a car park onsite or a short walk from the village.
Written April 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SilicoJack
Wellington, New Zealand493 contributions
Jan 2024 • Family
Really enjoyed walking around here on the day we visited. Some cool history to be read and it really is a bit of an explore-your-own type of thing.
It was quite muddy due to weather so might not be accessible to everyone because of this.
It was quite muddy due to weather so might not be accessible to everyone because of this.
Written January 16, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bonymerlin111
Manchester, UK359 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
The priory is a real gem - we arrived just after opening and had the place to ourselves for the first hour or so. Some parts are very well preserved when compared to other abbeys/priories (as many photos show) and there are plenty of small plaques giving information - the guide book (bought at the EH shop) is very useful too, however. Lovely peaceful place, and well worth a visit
Written June 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello, could you please tell me what time of the day is it best to visit the Priory as I'd like to have the sunlight on the facade?
Thanks a lot!
SC
Written August 14, 2019
Hello. Just wandering if would be possible having a photoshoot done in Castle Acre. We are looking for nice places in King's Lynn and around for a wedding photoshoot. This one catched my eye:) any info would be helpful. Thanks a lot.
Written July 4, 2017
Julie E
Castle Acre, United Kingdom
Hi
Please contact the site for more information
Thank you
Written September 27, 2017
Is this wheelchair friendly? Thinking about taking Mum to the West Acre gardens and then here.
Written March 19, 2017
So sorry I can't remember if the visitors' centre/entrance has steps. You could ring 0370 333 1181 to check. The (outside) loos are not wheelchair friendly but on the above no you can check if there's an adapted one inside. The path to the priory is gravelled but the ground around the priory itself is pretty rough. With assistance tho a chair user could get round the main body of the church and the path around the other areas. Some will be hard to reach but you can see outlines of rooms etc from the path and get a good idea of layout . There is a great view of the whole west end and priors house from a reachable shaded picnic area. Wish I could remember more! Nell Scotland West
Written March 20, 2017
How do you get to Castle Acre Priory by public transport from Kings Lynn (and back again) at the weekend? There only seems to be 1 bus a day on Tuesdays /Friday but no return journeys later that day.
Written January 29, 2015
The only bus service iis designed for locals to take a shoopping trip into Kings Lynn. Other wise you need to cycle or use a car.. If you like walking then you can take the X1 Dreham bus towards Norwich to Swaffham and it is about a 5 mile walk to Castle Acre. Check it out on Google Earth.
Written March 20, 2017
Showing results 1-5 of 5
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing