Burgh Castle Roman Fort
Norfolk, England
Key facts
- Operator
- English Heritage
- Condition
- Ruin
- Access
- Free, open access
- Nearest station
- Berney Arms, 1.0 miles (straight-line)
Pinpoint
Butt Ln, Burgh Castle, Great Yarmouth NR31 9QB
Telephone 0370 333 1181
Possible Opening Hours*
*Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
Visitor essentials
- Parking
- Pay car park on Butts Lane: £1.50 for 2 hours, £2 for 4 hours or £4 all day; English Heritage members must also pay.
- Access
- A circular all-weather path around the fort is suitable for wheelchair users and visitors with limited mobility, open dawn to dusk.
- Facilities
- No toilets or dining on site; two open-sided shelters with interpretation panels stand in the car park area.
- Dogs
- Dogs on leads are welcome; waste bins are provided around the fort.
One of the best-preserved of the Roman Saxon Shore forts built to guard the coast against raiders in the late empire, with walls up to fifteen feet high still standing from the 5th century - substantial enough to give a real sense of Roman military engineering. The site sits above the Halvergate marshes, a genuinely peaceful spot for a walk as well as a ruin.
Worth the trip
The scale of the surviving walls - fifteen feet of original Roman masonry is a rare thing to see standing anywhere in England.
Before you go
The car park is card-only, no cash accepted, and it's about a five-minute walk along a lane to reach the fort; it's very dog-friendly, and the Burgh Castle Village Hall nearby does tea and a bacon roll if you want to make a morning of it.
Visitors consistently praise the impressive scale of the surviving Roman fort walls and the peaceful marshland views, and note the site is very dog friendly and free to enter. Several mention the walk from the car park takes 10-15 minutes each way and can be muddy underfoot, so good footwear is recommended. One reviewer felt the site could use more information points to explain its history.
Saxon Shore fort; managed by Norfolk Archaeological Trust
“Lovely historical walk, parking on site too. Couple of lovely pubs if in need of food or hydrating.”- Donna Louise Luxton, visitor review
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Parking
- “From the main parking area, it's about a 5 minute walk through a lane to get to the first of a number of information points.” - Anthony Sutcliffe
- Terrain & accessibility
- “I didn't find it too difficult, but it might be challenging for those with mobility issues, and you will need good footwear, as the ground will get wet & muddy.” - Anthony Sutcliffe
Common questions about Burgh Castle Roman Fort
Where is Burgh Castle Roman Fort?
Burgh Castle Roman Fort is in Norfolk, England, at Butt Ln, Burgh Castle, Great Yarmouth NR31 9QB.
Is Burgh Castle Roman Fort free to visit?
Yes - Burgh Castle Roman Fort is a free, open-access site with no ticket booth, looked after by English Heritage. There may still be a charge for nearby parking, and open-access arrangements can change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel.
Is Burgh Castle Roman Fort dog-friendly?
Visitor reviews suggest dogs are welcome at Burgh Castle Roman Fort - one reviewer noted: “…car park for keen explorers. Extremely dog friendly, free entry, definitely worth a visit!”. Policies can vary between parts of a site and change over time, so confirm with the operator before visiting with a dog.
What is the highlight of visiting Burgh Castle Roman Fort?
The scale of the surviving walls - fifteen feet of original Roman masonry is a rare thing to see standing anywhere in England.
Is Burgh Castle Roman Fort a ruin or still intact?
Burgh Castle Roman Fort is a ruin - Saxon Shore fort; managed by Norfolk Archaeological Trust.
