Norfolk Heritage Explorer

Location

Full description

Cluniac Priory from 1089 to 1537.
Impressive remains including standing buildings, earthworks and cropmarks.
Cruciform stone and flint church with an early 12th century Romanesque tripartite façade.
Remains of 12th century nave, with claustral buildings to south, including the chapter house, dormitory, with undercroft and stairs, reredorter over stream.
12th and 14th century infirmary.
12th century refectory and kitchen.
12th century Prior's Lodgings, altered in the late 15th or early 16th century, with a flint chequer work and timber gabled 2 storey porch. 15th century first floor stone oriel window. Interior has 15th century scissor braced roof, with original paintwork.
Various other monastic buildings are visible as earthworks, as well as enclosures which are probably the remains of the monastic cemetery and gardens.
See (S1) and (S2).

1734.
Excavations by Blomefield.

1826.
Medieval seals found.

1954.
Medieval seal found, bearing the name 'Edmund the Miller of Castle Acre'.

1962.
Finds from Castle Acre Priority preserved at Holkham Hall:
Medieval green-glazed waster jug and six other similar but smaller jugs including green-glazed waster pipkin and unglazed storage pot.
Recorded for Norwich Castle Museum by N. Moore, see drawings (S11)-(S13).
P. Watkins (HES), 7 August 2018.

1964. Excavation.
Carried out by J.K Knight for M.P.B.W, excavation of the apses of the 17th-century chapterhouse revealed natural subsoil which contained several large irregular pockets of soft material. At the end of the 14th century the apse was replaced by a rectangular end, this was done to prevent substance. All of the burials had been translated before the rebuilding began.
Information from (S8)

1972 to 1976.
Excavation of 15th century monastic barn and lime kiln.
Roman, Early Saxon, Middle Saxon, Late Saxon and medieval sherds.

1981.
Further excavations.

1982.
Finds of medieval to post medieval metalwork.

1985. Excavation.
Carried out in the Lady Chapel beneath 15th century stone coffin slab, this revealed the upper surface of the late 12th century foundations of the junction of the north quire aisle and the flanking apse of the north transept. There was no underlying burial.
See published article (S9), in which drawing (S17) is reproduced. The results of this work are also summarised in (S18).
The associated archive has been deposited with the Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 1998.91.2)
M. Langham-Lopez (HES), 14 June 2013. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 13 November 2015 and 29 April 2019.

29 June 1993. NLA air photography.
Ruined remains of nave, tower, dorters, frater and infirmary.
Earthworks of further, now demolished, wings or the priory can be detected to the east of the main site.
S. Massey (NLA) 29 January 2001.

1995. Building Survey.
Condition audit of wall paintings within Prior's Chapel (14th-century scheme) and Prior's Lodgings (16th-century scheme).
The chapel paintings were generally fragmentary, although some fine passages of decoration remained. Emergency flake fixing, minor repairs and recording was recommended.
It was not possible to access the ceiling beams within the Prior's Lodgings but the painted decoration appeared to be stable.
For details see report (S19), which was generated from information in the English Heritage Wall Painting Section database.
P. Watkins (HES), 22 August 2019.

1995. Earthwork Survey.
Survey of various sub rectangular enclosures, banks, ditches and building platforms. Shallow features on the flood plain may be simple post medieval water meadows.
Roman, Late Saxon, medieval sherds and tiles found.
See report (S3) for plan and further details. This site was included in (S4) and the survey is also noted in (S15).
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 16 February 2014.

February 1998. Watching Brief.
Monitoring of excavation of electricity pole footings.
No archaeologically significant features or finds observed.
No report produced.
P. Watkins (HES), 8 February 2017.

December 1998 and March 2000. Dendrochronological Survey.
Tree-ring analysis of oak timbers from the present roof and ceiling of the Prior's House. This work indicated that the lower roof ceiling is late 14th century - suggesting that its decorative scheme (thought to commemorate the wedding of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York in AD 1485) was applied to an earlier structure (unless the timbers had been reused). The upper roof contained timbers of a slightly later date and may have been have been erected over the lower structure when it began to leak, evidence for water damage being noted when the timbers were sampled. It is possible that timbers salvaged from the priory church or another monastic building were used.
See report (S16) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 16 February 2014.

1999.
Medieval sherds, flints found.

For full details, excavation reports, photos, press cuttings and schedule sheet, see file.
E. Rose (NLA) 6 September 1999.

August 2007.
Scheduled monument consent granted regarding a first floor extension, works to the facing brickwork and the taking down of a cart shed.
See (S5) for further information
H. White (NLA), 23 January 2009

Article missing from file [J. Yates, 18 November 2010].

February 2011.
Section 17 management agreement signed (covering surveys of the precinct wall).
See (S6).
D. Robertson (HES), 10 March 2011.

April 2011. Building Survey.
Condition survey of precinct wall.
See report (S7) for further details.
S. Howard (HES), 25 July 2011.

November 2011. Watching Brief.
Monitoring of groundworks associated with installation of rabbit-proof fence (following the Scheduled Ancient Monument boundary).
The relatively shallow trench excavated for the fence only partially truncated the topsoil layer. Remains identified included a shallow feature at c. TF 8128 1472, close to one of granary structures identified during the 1970s excavations. This was found beneath a deposit of structural rubble and contained much mortar, plaster and flint, along with several tile fragments of probable 15th- or 16th-century date. A shallow pit containing butchered animal bone was recorded at c. TF 8143 1474, although the condition of the bone and the fact it truncated the topsoil suggested it was probably of post-medieval or modern date. The only other feature of interest was the base of a rudimentary wall revealed in the north-west corner of the precinct, at TF 8128 1485. This consisted of a disturbed single course of apparently unbounded stones and was of uncertain date, although it did appear to be potentially associated with the post-medieval western boundary wall.
Flint and lime mortar rubble was frequently present in the topsoil, particularly in the vicinity of the main priory buildings.
See report (S20) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 22 November 2023.

March 2012. Monitoring of test pit excavated by structural engineer adjacent to precinct wall.
D. Robertson (HES), 20 April 2012.

2013-2014. Recording
Revelation, repair and consolidation of the priory precinct wall took place in the frost periods. A report on the wall has been written with information gathered during the repairs and other research. There are two sections which survive to full height with oversailing triangular flint copings and of which one section has two courses of plain tiles supporting the oversailing coping. The flint work is of high quality random bond with some galletting to tightly pack the masonry. Blomefield's plan of 1734 greatly assists the understanding of the site and the former extent of the wall . For report see (S14).
S. Heywood (HES), 3 December 2014.

July 2018. Test-Pitting.
Excavation of five test pits in vicinity of Prior's Lodge, ahead of proposed drainage works.
The test pits demonstrated the survival of high medieval deposits beneath those relating to the later history of the site. The one test pit to expose natural chalk revealed medieval make-up layers that potentially represent early phases of terracing and chalk extraction. A deep sequence of medieval layers was also revealed beneath the robbed-out floor level of the former storage cellar. Other notable discoveries included the flint-packed footings of the former post-medieval external stairs to the upper floor.
Finds recovered included Late Saxon, medieval and post-medieval pottery sherds; medieval and post-medieval brick and tile fragments; a fragment of architectural stone; animal bone; oyster and cockle shells; a fragment of medieval window glass and a probable medieval copper alloy mount.
See report (S21) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 27 November 2023.

December 2019. Watching Brief.
Monitoring of drainage improvement works at the Prior's Lodgings.
The trenches excavated in former cellar areas encountered layers likely to represent a mix of Dissolution-period demolition waste and post-medieval make-up. A possible post-medieval rubble sill-beam pad was also recorded, along with a midden layer containing animal bone and oyster shell. These remains were probably associated with the 16th- to 18th-century occupation of the Prior's Lodgings. A small spade-dug test hole dug to the north of the Prior's Lodgings revealed the edge of a near vertical-sided pit, the fill of which was very similar to the overlying silty clay make-up layer.
Two pieces of architectural worked stone were recorded on site and retained for possible reuse within modern remedial work. The small assemblage of other finds recovered during this phase of work includes several medieval and medieval/post-medieval pottery sherds, a piece of medieval window glass, medieval and post-medieval roof tile fragments and a single probable medieval brick fragment. Metal objects were limited to a Late Saxon strap end, a medieval/post-medieval button and lead possible pot mend and a post-medieval lead pistol shot.
See report (S22) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 13 December 2024.

September 2020. Watching Brief.
Monitoring of exploratory work to access the subsurface masonry of the leat bridge and associated deposits, ahead of possible remedial works.
An exploratory slot excavated on the eastern side of the bridge revealed a sequence of waterlogged post-medieval deposits, with in situ wood planking forming the base of the leat channel encountered at just 0.40m below the present ground level. Samples of this wood were identified as oak but insufficient rings were present to allow dendrochronology. Radiocarbon dating does though indicate that the tree was alive and growing in the 14th century, with the planks likely to have been created between the late 15th century and early 16th century – i.e. potentially within the last few decades of the Priory's existence.
The dressed stone below the turf-line was found to be in a reasonable state. This, plus the presence of significant deposits so close to the surface meant that planned soil reduction was no longer considered viable or necessary.
A small number of finds were collected from the deposits within the leat channel, including a medieval tile fragment, post-medieval roof tile fragments, pieces of animal bone and oyster shells.
See report (S22) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 13 December 2024.

April 2022. Watching Brief.
Monitoring of various groundworks in vicinity of Priory Barn, including the excavation of percolation test holes and the subsequent excavation of new soakaways and associated drainage runs. Work to the north of the barn exposed a circular feature beneath the subsoil with a flint and chalk lining. This is thought to have been some form of lined tank or pit rather than an infilled well and was preserved intact. Immediately to the south of this feature was a 0.45m wide flint and mortar wall, the north-east to south-west orientation of which was completely at odds with that of the nearby late post-medieval buildings – suggesting it was most likely medieval or early post-medieval in date. On this side of the barn a much deeper, apparently sterile light brownish grey sandy clay deposit was encountered beneath the subsoil. This may simply be an earlier soil layer, although it is suggested it could represent the fill of a large feature, such as an east-to-west aligned boundary ditch. The uppermost deposits in this area included a demolition layer containing fragments of 19th-century roof tile that had apparently been used as levelling makeup.
The area immediately to the south of the west end of the barn was shown to have been scoured and relandscaped relatively recently, with a compact layer of chalk waste and flint building rubble lying directly on the natural chalk. This disturbance does though appear to have been relatively localised, with the rubble layer not seen within buttress pads excavated along the western side of the north-to-south aligned building extending from the south wall of the barn. Here a thin subsoil with organic staining survived, along with a localised patch of cobbles likely to represent the remnants of a former yard surface. Other features recorded in these trenches included a chalk-capped pit with a heavily organic-stained fill, a post-pad of tightly packed flint cobbles and north-to-south aligned linear feature. The construction cut for the adjacent barn was also encountered and it was noted that the footing of a former narrow buttress incorporated fragments of Caen stone and other recycled building material.
The small number of unstratified finds recovered during this work included a single abraded medieval pottery sherd, fragments of medieval and post-medieval ceramic building material, a piece of worn late medieval worked limestone (from a small column or moulding), a piece of lead sheet and a rifle cartridge dating to 1912.
See report (S23) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 3 June 2025.

Monument Types

• LINEAR FEATURE (Unknown date)
• PIT (Unknown date)
• AISLED BARN (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• BANK (EARTHWORK) (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• BARN (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• BUILDING (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• CEMETERY (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• DOVECOTE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• DRAINAGE DITCH (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• FISHPOND (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• FLOOR (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• GARDEN (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• HOUSE PLATFORM (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• LEAT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• LIME KILN (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• PRECINCT WALL (Medieval to 19th Century - 1066 AD to 1900 AD)
• PRIORY (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• PRIORY (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• RECTILINEAR ENCLOSURE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• TANK? (Medieval - 1066 AD? to 1539 AD?)
• DRAINAGE DITCH (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
• LINEAR FEATURE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD? to 1900 AD?)
• WATER MEADOW (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)

Associated Finds

• ANIMAL REMAINS (Unknown date)
• BURNT FLINT (Unknown date)
• OYSTER SHELL (Unknown date)
• WASTE (Unknown date)
• BLADE (Neolithic - 4000 BC to 2351 BC)
• FLAKE (Neolithic - 4000 BC to 2351 BC)
• LITHIC IMPLEMENT (Neolithic - 4000 BC to 2351 BC)
• POT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
• TILE (Roman - 43 AD? to 409 AD?)
• POT (Early Saxon - 411 AD to 650 AD)
• POT (Middle Saxon - 651 AD to 850 AD)
• POT (Late Saxon - 851 AD to 1065 AD)
• POT (Late Saxon - 851 AD to 1065 AD)
• STRAP END (Late Saxon - 851 AD? to 1065 AD?)
• ANIMAL REMAINS (Medieval to 19th Century - 1066 AD to 1900 AD)
• ANIMAL REMAINS (Medieval to 19th Century - 1066 AD to 1900 AD)
• ANIMAL REMAINS (Medieval to 19th Century - 1066 AD to 1900 AD)
• ARCHITECTURAL FRAGMENT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• ARCHITECTURAL FRAGMENT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• ARCHITECTURAL FRAGMENT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• BRICK (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• BRICK (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• BRICK (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• BRICK (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• COFFIN (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• FLOOR TILE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• FLOOR TILE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• KEY (LOCKING) (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• MOLLUSCA REMAINS (Medieval to 19th Century - 1066 AD to 1900 AD)
• MOUNT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• OYSTER SHELL (Medieval to 19th Century - 1066 AD to 1900 AD)
• OYSTER SHELL (Medieval to 19th Century - 1066 AD to 1900 AD)
• OYSTER SHELL (Medieval to 19th Century - 1066 AD to 1900 AD)
• POT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• POT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• POT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• POT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• POT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• POT MEND (Medieval to 19th Century - 1066 AD to 1900 AD)
• ROOF TILE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• ROOF TILE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• ROOF TILE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• ROOF TILE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• ROOF TILE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• SEAL (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• STAINED GLASS (WINDOW) (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• TILE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• WINDOW GLASS (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• WINDOW GLASS (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• TILE (Medieval to 16th Century - 1401 AD to 1600 AD)
• BUTTON (Medieval to 16th Century - 1467 AD to 1600 AD)
• ANIMAL REMAINS (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
• ANIMAL REMAINS (Post Medieval to 21st Century - 1540 AD? to 2050 AD?)
• BRICK (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
• BRICK (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
• HARNESS (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
• OYSTER SHELL (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
• PANTILE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
• PANTILE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD? to 1900 AD?)
• POT (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
• ROOF TILE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
• ROOF TILE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
• ROOF TILE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
• ROOF TILE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
• ROOF TILE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD? to 1900 AD?)
• SHOT (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument
• Listed Building
• Listed Building
• Higher Level Stewardship

Sources and further reading

Related records - none

Find out more...

• Castle Acre, Castle Acre Priory - Gerard Stamp (Archaeology and Art)
• Castle Acre, Castle Acre Priory - John Sell Cotman (Archaeology and Art)
• Castle Acre, Castle Acre Priory - Kate Vogler (Archaeology and Art)
• Castle Acre, Castle Acre Priory - Michael Cull-Dodd (Archaeology and Art)
• Castle Acre, Castle Acre Priory (Places to Visit)
• Castle Rising Castle - Norman Fahy (Article)
• Little Dunham Heritage Trail (Heritage Trail)
• Parish Summary: Bacton (Parish Summary)
• Parish Summary: Castle Acre (Parish Summary)
• Parish Summary: Little Dunham (Parish Summary)
• Parish Summary: Southacre (Parish Summary)