The pretty village of Castle Acre lies on the ancient Peddars Way and was once a fortified town protected by its own large bank, with a ditch and gateways to guard the entrances. The surviving Bailey Gate was once the North gateway to the town. The Medieval Parish Church of St James near the beautiful ruins of the magnificent Cluniac Priory, the best preserved in the country, is actually situated outside the town's defences illustrating that the town outgrew its defences by the 13th Century. Castle Acre still retains much of its Norman influences and the remains of the castle continue to dominate the town.