Castlemap

Ruin

Burgh Castle Roman Fort

ENG England · 3rd century

Burgh Castle Roman Fort in England
Photo: Pahazzard · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Burgh Castle is the site of one of nine Roman Saxon Shore forts constructed in England around the 3rd century AD, to hold troops as a defence against Saxon raids up the rivers of the east and south coasts of southern Britain. It is located on the summit of ground sloping steeply towards the estuary of the River Waveney, in the civil parish of Burgh Castle, in the county of Norfolk (but until 1974 in Suffolk).

This fort was possibly known as Gariannonum, although the single record that uses the name may perhaps be referring to the Roman site at Caister-on-Sea. Between the mid-7th and 9th centuries the site was possibly occupied by a monastic settlement, and in the 11th and 12th centuries a Norman motte and bailey castle existed there.

Text adapted from “Burgh Castle (Roman fortification)” on Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Burgh Castle Roman Fort ranks #3,982 of 8,133 worldwide in the atlas's castle fame ranking, and #269 of the 334 mapped in England. Founded c. 250, it is older than 98% of the atlas's dated landmarks — one of 19 atlas entries founded in the 3rd century. Its Wikipedia articles were opened 1,196 times in the last 60 days, more than 53% of the atlas. 5 more atlas landmarks stand within 25 km. The nearest day-trip guide is Colchester, 92 km away. See how England compares in the castle statistics.

View on the interactive castle map →

Read the full history on Wikipedia ↗

Frequently asked questions

Where is Burgh Castle Roman Fort?

Burgh Castle Roman Fort stands in England, at 52.5826°, 1.6515°.

When was Burgh Castle Roman Fort built?

The atlas dates its founding to c. 250. Earlier structures may have stood on the site; this is the earliest documented founding year.

How famous is Burgh Castle Roman Fort?

In this atlas's fame ranking: #3,982 of 8,133 worldwide, and #269 in England. Fame here combines how many Wikipedia language editions cover a landmark with how many people read them.

What is the nearest castle to Burgh Castle Roman Fort?

Caister Castle, about 8 km away.

More castles in England

More ruins