[1] From car park go west to join the Nar Valley Way leaving the river on the right. Cross the river by the bridge. The ruins of West Acre Priory are on the left. Take the left turn in West Acre by the Stag Public House. Pass the church and ruined priory gate on the left.
(A) West Acre priory was founded in late 11C for Canons of Augustinian Order and by 1291 held property in 74 different parishes. It was surrendered in 1538. Its grounds are larger than those at Castle Acre. The church (All Saints) was rebuilt in 1638 probably with much of the materials from the redundant priory.It has an interesting clock on the tower with letters instead of numbers-WATCH AND PRAY- the words used by Christ to his disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane.
[2] Go straight ahead at two crossroads and follow the Nar Valley Way along a track ahead (DO NOT follow green arrows to left at a gate but carry straight on) In one mile turn left onto a road and stay on the road, over a bridge, as far as the crossroads with Narford Hall on the right. At the crossroads turn right. In half a mile take a path on the left, by an iron gate, into the woods.
[3] The path goes through a mixture of wood and pasture until you reach a cross track with a derelict lorry trailer by it, with a wood to the right. Turn right along a farm track keeping the woods to the right. In 400 yards turn left along a path keeping the woods to the right. Follow this path for just over a mile to pass a pig farm on the left. Immediately after this at cross path turn left and head towards solar panel farm (currently being built-March 2013). Besides solar panels,follow path as it turns right up a slope and eventually meet a cross path with a path to an industrial site ahead.Turn left (there is a Public Bridleway sign in the hedge on the right).This is the Roman Road. Follow the road, now a firm farm track, for just over a mile crossing two roads. About 400 yards after the second road crossing, by a wood on the right, turn left along a wide track downhill between hedges.
[4] Follow this path, ignoring all cross paths, for almost two miles until it meets a road by a farm. Turn right along the road passing St Georges, South Acre on the right and, at a road junction, turn left along Peddars Way. There are good views of the ruins of the Priory to the left. Cross the river by the ford and immediately turn right over a stile to follow a path along the river bank. At the end of the water meadows go through gate and turn left along the road for 100 yards to Cuckstool Lane. Turn right along this lane and enter the castle surrounds by a path on the left.
(B) Castle Acre was built by William de Warrene who fought at Hastings for the Normans. He built a town, a priory and a castle.The priory was started in the late 11C and inhabited by Cluniac monks who followed the Rule of St Benedict. It was closed in 1537. The Castle was built at a similar time and with the closing of the priory became derelict. St James the Great Church was started in 13C possibly on the site of the original priory church.It has an excellent bottom half of a rood screen and a wineglass pulpit, both from 14C. Look also for the skull looking down on you from a window in the sanctuary.
[5] Walk anti-clockwise around the castle to a path on the left just before the car park. Follow this path across a footbridge and leave the second footbridge on the right. Go between some flint ruins to exit the castle grounds by a hedge-lined path ahead. At the road turn right and pass through the Bailey Gate. Turn left and keep straight ahead at the church as far as the Priory entrance. Follow the road round to the right and in 100 yards turn left onto the Nar Valley Way. Follow this gravel track to meet the River Nar at the bottom of the hill. Go through a gate on the left and follow the path running alongside the river. In one mile the path crosses the river and comes to a road. Turn left along the road to return to the starting point.