Burgh Castle

Roman fort

Main article: Burgh Castle (Roman fortification)

There is evidence of Neolithic activity in the area, with a number of flint and bronze axe-heads discovered, The fort, which is a possible site for Gariannonum, dates to the third century and was part of the Saxon Shore fortifications designed to protect Roman Britain from invaders. It stands at the top of a slope overlooking the modern River Waveney to the west, but when it was built the fort would have been on the coast, guarding the mouth of a wide estuary.

The surviving north, south, and east walls stand to a height of up to 4.6 m with a width of 3 m at the base. The internal dimensions of the fort measure 205 m by 100 m and six remaining bastions are visible.

There is evidence of Anglo-Saxon and Norman use of the fort. Excavations by Charles Green in the mid-20th century discovered a timber church in the south-west of the fort, with a Christian cemetery attached, and the site is considered a possible location of a Saxon monastery founded by St Fursey in the early 630s. This is recorded with the name Cnobheresburg by Bede, although there is no firm evidence that the site was at Burgh Castle. A motte-and-bailey castle was built at the fort after the Norman Conquest; the remains had been destroyed by the mid-19th century.

The site is a scheduled monument, with the walls designated as a Grade I listed building. The site has been owned by the Norfolk Archaeological Trust since 1996, with the walls in the care of English heritage.

Later history

Saxon era field systems have been discovered at Burgh Castle and parts of the parish church date to the late-Saxon or early-Norman period. who may have been responsible for the construction of the motte-and-bailey castle within the Roman fort. Salt was harvested from a number of salt pans, and this is likely to have remained an important industry within the village into the medieval period along with the harvesting of reeds and osiers. Mills were later used to drain marshland, allowing the use of the land next to the rivers for agriculture.

A medieval manor house is known to have been built, but the site is unknown. St Peter’s Guildhall was rebuilt in 1548 after a fire; the building was demolished in the 19th century. During the 19th century at least three brick making works developed in the parish.

Amenities

Burgh Castle remains a small village. A number of holiday parks have developed in the south of the parish, A boatyard and marina occupy the site of the former Burgh Castle Brickworks on the River Waveney.

St Peter and St Paul's Church

Burgh Castle's parish church is dedicated to Saint Peter and Saint Paul and is one of Norfolk's 124 remaining round-tower churches. The building is Grade II* listed and incorporates significant amounts of Roman material, almost certainly from the nearby Roman fort. Parts of the tower and possibly parts of the nave date from the late-11th century, with the bulk of the building being 13th century. It was remodelled in the 15th century with additions in the 18th and 19th centuries. The octagonal baptismal font is medieval in date and a stained glass window in the church depicts St Fursey.

References

References

1. [https://www.citypopulation.de/en/uk/eastofengland/admin/great_yarmouth/E04006265__burgh_castle/ Burgh Castle], City Population. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
2. Spooner S (2005) [https://www.heritage.norfolk.gov.uk/record-details?TNF184-Burgh-Castle-%28Parish-Summary%29 Parish Summary: Burgh Castle], Norfolk Hertiage Explorer. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
3. but the Roman fortification of Burgh Castle is the earliest settlement known within the parish.Bescoby D (2016) ''Burgh Castle Roman Fort: Life outside the walls – the geophysical survey''. ([https://norfarchtrust.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Burgh-Castle-geophys-2016.pdf Available online] at the Norfolk Archaeological Trust. Retrieved 7 October 2025.)
4. [https://www.heritage.norfolk.gov.uk/record-details?mnf10471 Burgh Castle, or Gariannonum/Gariannum], Norfolk Heritage Explorer. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
5. [https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/burgh-castle/history/ History of Burgh Castle Romen Ford], [[English Heritage]]. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
6. [https://norfarchtrust.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Burgh-Castle-Guide.pdf A short history of Burgh Castle Roman Fort], Norfolk Archaeology Trust. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
7. A probable Roman [[vicus]] and field systems are outside the walls. Material from the walls of the fort has been used in the parish church.[https://www.heritage.norfolk.gov.uk/record-details?mnf10500 St Peter and St Paul's Church, Burgh Castle], Norfolk Heritage Explorer. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
8. [https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1013094 Burgh Castle Roman fort, vicus, pre-Conquest monastery and Norman motte and bailey castle], [[Historic England]]. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
9. [https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1372902 Gariannonum Roman Fort], [[Historic England]]. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
10. It is open free of charge to visitors.[https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/burgh-castle/ Burgh Castle Roman Ford], [[English Heritage]]. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
11. [https://camra.org.uk/pubs/place/burgh-castle-2792?sort=nearest Pubs and clubs around Burgh Castle], [[CAMRA]]. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
12. [https://www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk/ship-shape/company/burgh-castle-marina Burgh Castle Marina], National Historic Ships. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
13. [https://www.roundtowerchurches.net/norfolk/norfolk-a-b/burgh-castle-2/ Burgh Castle St Peter & St Paul], The Round Tower Churches of Europe. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
14. [https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1051008 Church of St. Peter and St. Paul], [[Historic England]]. Retrieved 7 October 2025.