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West Acre Priory, and square barrow within the precinct

31 ha

Plan your visit

BirdsHeritageWildlife
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome31 ha

Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🐦74+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Blackbird and Robin
  • Historic character is a year-round quality here — summer brings its own atmosphere to the setting
  • 🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome
ParkingToilets

Best for

12 activities

Bird watching

Birds — Blackbird, Robin, Blue Tit +71 more · last seen 2025; Grazing marsh — lapwing, redshank, snipe and wintering wildfowl

Free

Heritage

Grade I listed building: PRIORY GATEHOUSE; Historic site with public access

Free

Wildlife

Birds — Blackbird, Robin, Blue Tit +71 more · last seen 2025; Coastal and floodplain grazing marsh priority habitat

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Sericostoma personatum, Hydropsyche pellucidula, Agapetus fuscipes +204 more · last seen 2025; Lowland meadows — marbled white, meadow brown and pollinating insects

Free

Seasonal nature

Plants — Field Mouse-ear, Elder, Holly +145 more · last seen 2026

Free

Family friendly

toilets

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

9 signed routes nearby · 14 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Nar Valley WayWalking route54 km

Kings Lynn to Gressenhall

Named routeLength 54 kmRegional walking route
Castle Acre Circular (Long)Walking route6.5 km
Named routeLength 6.5 kmRound tripLocal walking route
Peddars WayWalking route74 km
Named routeLength 74 kmNational walking route
Cross-Norfolk TrailWalking route96 km

King’s Lynn to Great Yarmouth

Named routeLength 96 kmPoint-to-pointRhn
Narborough Circular WalkWalking route3.8 km
Named routeLength 3.8 kmRound tripLocal walking route
Mill Lanepublic footpath · 3 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 3 mSurface woodIncline downPath type: steps
Mill Lanepublic footpath · 99 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 99 mSurface duck_boardsPath type: footway
Mill Lanepublic footpath · 3 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 3 mSurface duck_boardsIncline upPath type: steps
🚴

Cycling

2 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
King's Lynn-SwaffhamCycling route
Named routeRef Gold (5)Local cycle route
Rebellion WayCycling route373 km
Named routeRef RebelLength 373 kmRound tripRegional cycle route
🚵

Mountain biking

1 signed route nearby

Signed route nearby
Peddars Way Cycle RouteMountain bike route83.6 km

The Peddars Way with suggested detours to avoid footpath-only sections.

Named routeLength 83.6 kmNational Cycle Network
🐴

Horse riding

4 public paths nearby

Public paths

No named routes yet. Public paths are shown on the map.

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Priory ruins on Abbey Farm, West Acre

Priory ruins on Abbey Farm, West Acre

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