Burgh Castle Fort

One of the best preserved Roman monuments in East Anglia, and one of the most impressive Roman buildings to survive anywhere in Britain. During the 3rd and 4th centuries AD it was one of a chain of ‘Forts of the Saxon Shore’, built to defend the coast of south-east England.

After the Roman period, the site may have been occupied by an early Christian monastery; and after 1066 a Norman castle was built inside the Fort walls (later demolished). The site provides stunning views across the Rivers Waveney and Yare to Halvergate Marshes, part of the Broads National Park – an area rich in bird, animal and plant life.

Advice on dogs

The Trust welcomes responsible dog owners. Dogs must be on leads at all times.  Please clear up after your dog – dog waste bins are provided.

Burgh Castle Fort
High Road
Burgh Castle
Great Yarmouth
NR31 9QQ

;

Guide

Download a printable PDF guide here.

;

Site survey

Download a the geophysical survey as a PDF guide here.

DONATE

Help us to continue protecting Norfolk’s history for people to enjoy everyday!

Click here

Access and facilities

The Burgh Castle site lies c. 6km south-west of Great Yarmouth and c. 5km west of Gorleston. It is in a dramatic position close to the southern edge of Breydon Water, overlooking the confluence of the rivers Yare and Waveney. A circular all-access route around the fort includes a boardwalk along the Angles Way: Download the map here 

For any car parking enquiries please contact Napier Parking: www.napierparking.co.uk

:tting there

  • by boat: there is a public landing stage on the east bank of the River Waveney, a short distance north of the Burgh Castle Marina and Caravan Park.
  • by road: the site is 5km west of Gorleston-on-Sea. Leave the main A12 (Yarmouth-Lowestoft) road at the junction with the A143 (Diss and Beccles). Follow signs to Burgh Castle and Gorleston as you leave the A12. At the first roundabout that you encounter after leaving the A12 take the first exit, signed to Burgh Castle and Bradwell. Follow this road out of the built-up area; when nearing Burgh Castle village, give way and turn right at a T junction where it joins Mill Road (following the brown sign and finger post indicating Burgh Castle). Shortly after passing the Queen’s Head pub on the right, turn left into Butt Lane. A very short distance along this road, you will see the Burgh Castle car and coach park on the right-hand side. Car parking charges are: £1.50 for 2 hours, £2 for 4 hours, £4 all day. For any car parking enquiries please contact Napier Parking: www.napierparking.co.uk. SatNav: NR31 9QB. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CAR PARK IS LOCKED AT 8.00PM. Access to the site is available dawn to dusk on foot. No motorbikes are allowed on site.
  • by bus: First Eastern Counties’ Service 5 (Yarmouth-Burgh Castle via Bradwell) stops outside the Queen’s Head (NB. the stop itself is not marked). The journey takes about half an hour. From here it is a very short walk along Butt Lane to the site entrance. For up to date timetable information, please visit http://www.travelineeastanglia.org.uk.
  • walking: visitors may follow the Angles Way long-distance path from Great Yarmouth to Burgh Castle along the southern shore of Breydon Water. Total distance c. 6km – this is a very enjoyable walk.

Free guided tours 2023:  Private tours can be arranged by emailing info@norfarchtrust.org.uk.

 

Facilities

There are no toilet or other facilities at the site itself. Two small open-sided structures in the car park area, housing interpretation panels, offer some shelter from bad weather. Sometimes there are displays in the church. The Burgh Castle pub (the Queen’s Head) is nearby, at the junction of Church Road and Back Lane.

Guide book

The Trust’s comprehensive guidebook to the site and to the other Saxon Shore forts in Norfolk can also be purchased online through our distributor Bittern Books. The following link will take you to their external website: Outposts of the Roman Empire (Burgh Castle, Caister-on-sea & Brancaster)

External website

‘Life outside the Walls’ national-lottery funded project 2016: information on the project including reports on test-pits