Burgh Castle
The Broads
What is it?
Burgh Castle, or Gariannonvm, is the remains of a third century Roman fort. Three walls of the castle remain – the fourth has disappeared into the River Waveney.
Why it is special?
The castle stands near the confluence of the rivers Waveney and Yare before they flow into Breydon Water, the remains of a great estuary, and then meet the River Bure to flow into the sea at Great Yarmouth.
It was built as one of the Saxon Shore Forts to defend the coast from Saxon raiders and was part of a string of forts around the South and East coasts of Britain stretching from Hampshire to Brancaster in North Norfolk.
Norfolk Archaeological Society
The site offers one of the best views in the Broads, over Halvergate Marshes and Breydon Water.
Tell us something we didn’t know
Soldiers at Burgh Castle were part of the Roman army but they actually came from present day Croatia and Slovenia.
Facilities
Wheelchair access from the car park around the fortifications.
Tea room open from Easter to October.
How to get there
Burgh Castle is six miles south west of Great Yarmouth, off the A143. Accessible by bus.
