The Normans in Norfolk

Norfolk is one of England's greatest Norman counties - find out why and discover fantastic places to visit around the county.

BBC Hands on History - The Norman Season

The BBC's Hands on History celebrated the Norman era, across TV, radio, online and out on the ground, with programmes on The Normans, Domesday Book Special, Dan Snow's Norman Walks and BBC Norfolk's interactive online Norfolk Walk around Castle Acre.

Find out more about Norfolk's Norman connections by download the special Normans In Norfolk leaflet. Please note that many of the events have now finished, but the places to visit and things to see and do are still there!

Download The Normans In Norfolk leaflet

(1.98mb PDF) for more information.

The Normans in Norfolk

Norfolk is one of England's greatest Norman counties. Norwich's role as the county capital dates from the post Conquest era when the Normans built the castle and Bishop De Losinga moved his headquarters from Thetford and founded Norwich Cathedral. Norwich became England's second largest Medieval city and today is our most complete Medieval city.

King's Lynn was founded by Bishop de Losinga in 1101 around St Margaret's Church. The town was initially known as Bishop's Lynn, following the granting of its charter in 1204, and became an important port and member of The Hanseatic League. Great Yarmouth also has a long history and had its rights confirmed in a charter from King John in 1208.

Some 30 early Medieval castles can be traced in the Norfolk countryside, the greatest survivals are at Norwich, Castle Rising and Castle Acre. Thetford Castle was dismantled in 1173, but the castle mound, one of largest in the country, survives.

Click on the map to see Norman Norfolk:

Places to Visit

There's so much Norman heritage around Norfolk - get out and about to explore some of the castles and sites to understand more of the history.

Here's a selection of Norman places to visit:

Binham Priory (near Wells) was founded c.1104, although the building was not finished until the middle of the 13th century. The very impressive parish church, which shared the site, survived the 16th century Dissolution of the Monasteries.
Castle Acre (near Swaffham) is a planned Norman settlement comprising the castle, church, village and priory (English Heritage) established after the Conquest by William de Warenne.
Castle Rising Castle (near King's Lynn) was built by William D'Albini. The keep was completed c. 1140 and is among the finest surviving examples of its kind.
New Buckenham Castle (near Attleborough) and New Buckenham village created by William D'Albini c.1145. The castle was completed c.1176 and the village is renowned for retaining its original medieval street pattern.
Norfolk's Medieval churches - the county has more than 600 historic churches, with many Norman foundations.
Norwich Castle was established in 1067 by William the Conqueror as a Royal palace.
Norwich Cathedral (pictured) is the most complete Norman cathedral in the UK, founded in 1096 by Bishop Herbert de Losinga.
Thetford Castle Mound comprises the remains of a Norman motte and bailey castle, built soon after 1066 and dismantled in 1173. It is one of largest man-made mounds in the country.
Thetford Priory established in the early 12th century, this was one of the most important East Anglian monasteries and was the burial place of the Earls and Dukes of Norfolk for 400 years.
Walsingham, ‘England's Nazareth' was one of the great medieval pilgrimage destinations and continues to this day as a Christian pilgrimage centre.
Wymondham Abbey - founded in 1107 by William D'Albini (who also built Castle Rising Castle and New Buckenham Castle).