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                RIDE STARTS FROM STOCKS GREEN IN THE CENTRE OF CASTLE ACRE.   Castle Acre is situated five miles north of Swaffham, just off to the left of the A1065 Swaffham to Fakenham Road. The delightful and attractive village of Castle Acre boasts an extraordinary wealth of history and is well worth exploring.Round the little green there are two public houses, two teashops/restaurants and several other quaint little shops. There is usually somewhere to park around the green, but if not go to the English Heritage car park at the Castle. To find this, drive away from the village green leaving the Bailey Gate on your right. The narrow lane down to the Castle is straight in front of you as you get to the sharp left hand bend.
 CLICK HERE TO VIEW MAP OF VILLAGE CENTRE. From Stocks Green go towards the church and turn left at the far end of the church wall. Follow this narrow lane down to where it meets the lovely river Nar, then along the banks to a footbridge over the gin clear water. Stop here to get a lovely view of the Priory across the field to the right, before crossing the bridge and continuing up another stony lane. Soon after the left hand bend at the farm buildings, take the lane on the right, which then joins a larger lane going in the same direction. Continue straight on for about one and a half miles to a sharp left hand bend at West Acre common.* *West Acre ford and common are down the stony lane on the right, a popular picnic place, where there is clear shallow water, ideal for children (and adults!) to paddle in, and an extensive wooded common. Continue round to the left and follow the lane to the next crossroads where you turn right towards West Acre village, crossing over the River Nar again at a little bridge. Soon after the bridge there is a tiny lane (Sandy Lane) on the right, which takes you to a crossroads. Turn right here into Church Green, passing All Saints Church and continuing down to the Stag public house, where the lane goes round to the left and up to a junction. Go straight across and up the hill to join a larger lane, continuing through an attractive wooded area for about two and a half miles to a junction. Turn right and follow to the next junction and turn right again, following this lane for just over a mile to a lane on the left. Turn up here to a slightly manicured area where there are some huge oak and beech trees by the entrance to Wickens Farm. The lane splits three ways here and you take the narrow on in the middle for a very pretty ride to the next jubction, where you turn sharp right and follow this (mostly level or downhill you'll be pleased to know) lane for slightly undr two miles to a junction. Follow the main track round to the right which leads you up to a little common on the edge of Castle Acre, where you go straight across and up to a junction by the bungalows. Turn left and continue until the road bears sharp right, taking you back to Stocks Green. TOTAL DISTANCE: 12.29 MILES LOCAL INTEREST. CASTLE ACRE PRIORY (REMAINS) Excavations at the Cluniac Priory uncovered a unique grain-processing plant comprising a granary, a barn, a kilnhouse, a malthouse and a brewhouse. The stone phase of the standing buildings was commenced during the mid-fourteenth century and at least two periods of reconstruction occurred before the Dissolution. A most interesting and evocative site, it has facilities for picnics with a wonderful view. Admission is charged but parking is free. For details of admission charges and the history of the Priory, click on this link: ENGLISH HERITAGE The site is situated on the Peddar’s Way, a major trade and pilgrim route to Thetford, Bromholm Priory and Walsingham, it is a very rare and complete survival of a Norman planned settlement, including a castle, town, parish church and associated monastery. All this is the work of a great Norman baronial family, the Warennes, mainly during the 11th and 12th centuries. First came the castle, founded soon after the Conquest by the first William de Warenne, initially as a stone ‘country house’. During the first half of the 12th century, however, more disturbed conditions prompted its progressive conversion into a strong keep, further defended by stone walls and an immense system of ditched earthworks. Still impressively visible, these are perhaps the finest village earthworks in England. Run by English Heritage there is no charge for admission and parking is free. A delightful place for a family picnic. Willow Cottage Tearoom Willow Cottage, Stocks Green, Castle Acre, Norfolk. PE32 2AE Telephone: (01760) 755551  w w w . p e a c e f u l b y w a y s . c o . u k |
