Ancient Norfolk
Norfolk is awash with fantastic archaeological sites from prehistory, Roman and Anglo-Saxon times - discover Norfolk's historic environment with organisations working in partnership with BBC Hands on History.
Ancient Norfolk
Norfolk has a fascinating early history, which is revealed in the collections of our museums across the county, notably the amazing Seahenge Bronze Age timber circle at Lynn Museum. This is also the land of Boudica and the Iceni (Eceni) and the Roman Forts of the Saxon Shore. Burgh Castle near Great Yarmouth is one of the best-preserved Roman sites in the UK and the Peddars Way follows the route of a Roman road built to control the Eceni after Boudica's revolt.
Places to Visit
There's so much Roman and ancient heritage around Norfolk, get out and about to explore some of the sites to understand more of the history. Here's a selection of Roman and ancient places to visit:
Peddars Way National Trail
Peddars Way National Trail comprises the Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path. The route of the Peddars Way has existed since Roman times and was built shortly after 61AD to enable troops to move through East Anglia for policing purposes. The path is 46 miles long and starts at Knettishall Heath Country Park in Suffolk and ends at Holme-next-the-Sea on the North Norfolk coast, passing through North Pickenham, Swaffham, Castle Acre, Great Massingham, Ringstead and Hunstanton.
For more information please visit www.nationaltrail.co.uk/peddarsway.
The Boudicca Way
The Boudicca Way runs for 36 miles from Diss to Norwich, roughly parallel with the old Roman Pye Road (now A140). The route follows public rights of way and quiet country roads, passing through villages like Shotesham, Saxlingham Nethergate and Pulham Market along the way. The path begins and finishes at Diss and Norwich railway stations.
For more information please visit www.boudiccaway.co.uk.
Burgh Castle
Built by the Romans in the late third or early fourth century, Burgh Castle is one of the most complete Roman sites in the UK with three of the four walls of the fort surviving. Built of flint and mortar, the walls were constructed by carefully shaping the flints in layers of the Roman's red tile. The walls are cared for by English Heritage but the fort and surrounding farmland are owned by the Norfolk Archaeological Trust.
With a total of 90 acres of land consisting of a neighbouring region of reed beds, a fascinating bird life exists. Due to the nature of the reed beds shooting is strictly prohibited, observation clearly identifies the beneficial effects that this serene environment has to offer. Burgh Castle is open daily and entry is free.
For more information please visit www.norfarchtrust.org.uk.
Caistor Roman Town
Known as Venta Icenorum, 'the market place of the Iceni', Caistor Roman Town was built by the Romans after Boudica's uprising (61AD) and took full control of the Iceni lands in East Anglia. Entry to the town is free and is open daily.
For more information please visit www.norfarchtrust.org.uk.
Bloodgate Hill Iron Age Fort
Located next to Syderstone Road south west of South Creake is Bloodgate Hill Iron Age Fort. An Iron Age fort built 300-400 years before the Romans, open daily and free entry.
For more information please visit www.norfarchtrust.org.uk.
Tasburgh Hill Fort
Situated in Upper Tasburgh, close to Tasburgh Church, is thought to be an Iron Age hill fort. An interpretation panel is provided in the field explaining the fort. Further excavation is required to determine the fort's exact era. Tasburgh Hill Fort is open daily and admittance is free.
For more information please visit www.norfarchtrust.org.uk.
Caister Roman Fort
Remains of a Roman fort of the Saxon Shore, including wall and ditch sections and building foundations. Built around 200 AD and occupied until the end of the 4th century. Caister Roman Fort is open daily with free admittance.
For more information please visit www.english-heritage.org.uk.
Branodunum Roman Fort
The site of a Roman fort of the Saxon Shore, built between 225 and 250 AD replacing an earlier fort. To access Branodunum Roman Fort, park at Brancaster Beach car park, then head east along the Norfolk Coast Path towards Brancaster Staithe. The fort's site is next to the coast path.
For more information please visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk.
Sedgeford
Sedgeford Historical and Archaeological Research Project (SHARP) was established in 1996 to investigate the range of human settlement and land-use in the parish from earliest times to the present day.
Please see Sedgeford's Dig for a Day! activities for more details.
Cromer Museum
Visit Cromer Museum to find out about the West Runton elephant, Britain's oldest and most complete elephant fossil and see some of its bones. Entry charges apply with varying opening times.
For more information please visit www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk.
Eceni Study Centre
Steve and Jo Parish have completed the first phase of an Eceni (Iceni) farmstead as a base to study ancient crafts and lifestyles. The Eceni Study Centre has varying opening times and entry charges apply.
For more information please visit www.eceniwells.co.uk.
Grime's Graves
Grime's Graves is the only Neolithic flint mine open in Britain. The Anglo-Saxons named this grassy lunar landscape of 400 pits Grim's Graves. Excavation in 1870 identified the pits as 5,000-year old flint mines. Grime's Graves has varying opening times with entry charge.
For more information please visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/grimesgraves.
Lynn Museum
Home of Seahenge, Lynn Museum contains an astonishing Bronze Age timber circle as their stunning centrepiece. Learn about the people who meticulously crafted the timbers, discover how it was found and how it has survived for 4,000 years. Entry charges may apply with varying opening times.
For more information please visit www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk.
Norwich Castle
Visit the Boudica Gallery at Norwich Castle and find out about East Anglia's Queen Boudica, admire the Snettisham Treasure; the largest collection of Iron Age gold and silver neck rings found anywhere in Europe and ride on a re-creation of an Iceni warrior's chariot.
For more information please visit www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk.
The Mo: Sheringham Museum
Visit The Mo: Sheringham Museum to meet the 1.5 million year-old Weybourne elephant. Complete with extraordinary galleries and stunning fishing boats, the museum tells the story of Sheringham's courageous independent people via well-presented displays. Entry charges apply along with varying opening times.
For more information please visit www.sheringhammuseum.co.uk.
Time and Tide Museum of Great Yarmouth Life
Situated in Great Yarmouth, the Time and Tide Museum of Great Yarmouth Life contains a gallery featuring archaeology and the Romans in the Yarmouth area. Opening times vary and entry charges apply.
For more information please visit www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk.
Ancient House Museum of Thetford Life
Situated on White Hart Street lies the Ancient House Museum of Thetford Life. See replicas of the stunning Thetford Treasure and internationally important Boudican period finds from the town, along with marble busts of Roman Emperors, Otho and Tiberius, collected as part of the grand tour by the Earl of Arlington. Opening times vary and entry charges apply.
For more information please visit www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk.
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