The Ostrich
pub in the heart of Castle Acre where this stroll starts.
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DISTANCE:
3.5 miles
MAP:
OS Landranger 132 (GR 816152)
DIRECTIONS
TO START: Castle Acre is four miles north of Swaffham, just
left of the A1065, travelling towards Fakenham. The Ostrich is in
the centre of the village, by the green.
PARKING:
In
the pub car cark, through the archway to the left of the building.
In its ancient
hilltop setting above the gently flowing River Nar, Castle Acre
is one of Norfolk's most attractive villages whose centre still
has a timeless quality to it.
Its key position
as a river crossing point on the Peddars Way dates back to Roman
times, and the picturesque ruins of its Cluniac priory and castle
who its later importance as both an ecclesiastical and military
stronghold.
The walk starts
in the village centre, which has several specialist shops, and then
takes in green lanes and paths on both sides of the river. It also
touches on a large area of pleasant sheep meadow opened up to the
public under a countryside access scheme. A distant view of the
recently-built wind turbine at Swaffham - the tallest in the country
-seems appropriate as a new slant on ancient technology.
THE WALK:
Turn left out of the pub and right through the 13th century Bailey
Gate. Turn left just before the Methodist church to the castle,
founded soon after the Norman conquest of 1066. It now stands in
ruins but the earthworks are among Britain's most impressive. There
is a fine view over the Nar to Swaffham, with its wind turbine on
the skyline. Skirt the castle, crossing a wooden bridge, up steps
and turning right down steps. Just before a road, climb a stile
to the right following a footpath fingerpost. Pass a row of cottages
on the left, go over a stile and follow the path round to the left
and another stile.
At the road
turn right and after 200 yards left into a lane, following byroad
and Nar Valley Way signs. The road becomes a track heading straight
uphill; at a fork, bear right, over a stile and between overhanging
hedges.
Turn right
when the path meets a lane, and shortly, at Newton Mill, go
over the bridge and immediately left on a track to the main
road.
Cross the busy
A1065 and turn sharp right on the "dead" bed of the old
road. Earth has been piled in a gateway to keep out cars, but walk
round it and ahead for 200 yards. Turn left on a track which soon
bends left and right then ahead through a gate following a yellow
arrow. After 300 yards pass through a gap in a tall hedge.
Turn right,
still following a footpath sign, up Winchester Hill with pleasant
views over the valley. Follow the track downhill, passing Manor
House on the right, and turn right at a lane to the main road.
Turn left
past the George and Dragon and right after 100 yards down a
lane signed Castle Acre. Cross the Nar and where the byroad
turns right, go left over a stile into open access land, there
is no clearly-defined path but head diagonally uphill across
the meadow and then retrace your steps back to the castle and
pub.
From
Pub Strolls in Norfolk by Will Martin, published by Countryside
Books, price £7.95.
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