Norfolk


<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Norwich Castle</a>, Norfolk</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2020/08/norwich-castle.jpg" alt="Norwich Castle" class="wp-image-17981" /></figure>



<p>If you’re heading up city, make time for a stop at the impressive castle, built by the Normans as a Royal Palace over 900 years ago. Though it&#8217;s five-year, £13.5 million National Lottery-funded refurb of the castle&#8217;s Norman Keep is still ongoing (spring 2025 is the latest estimated finish date), there&#8217;s still the museum and art gallery to explore with everything from Egyptian mummies to polar bears, beautiful artworks and ancient axes. There are also tours to be taken of the dungeons, keep, battlements and the Victorian courthouse. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-castle-rising-norfolk-nbsp"><a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/castle-rising-castle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Castle Rising</a>, Norfolk&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1002" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/02/castle-rising.jpg" alt="Castle Rising" class="wp-image-63638" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/02/castle-rising.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/02/castle-rising-798x800.jpg 798w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/02/castle-rising-998x1000.jpg 998w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/02/castle-rising-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/02/castle-rising-768x770.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/02/castle-rising-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Castle Rising, as the name suggests, is atop a very steep hill that&#8217;s perfect for rolling down (the kids, not you!). It is one of the largest and best preserved medieval keeps in the country and is surrounded by 20 acres of amazing earthworks. You can go inside and see the lavishly decorated Great Hall as well as Queen Isabella’s apartments.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/castle-acre-castle-and-bailey-gate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Castle Acre</a></strong>, Norfolk</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/04/Castle-Acre-castle-1.jpg" alt="Castle Acre Castle" class="wp-image-41200" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/04/Castle-Acre-castle-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/04/Castle-Acre-castle-1-800x400.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/04/Castle-Acre-castle-1-768x384.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/04/Castle-Acre-castle-1-900x450.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Given it was built all the way back in the Norman Conquest days of 1066, the medieval ruins of the motte-and-bailey castle at Castle Acre are in pretty good nick. There’s loads to explore on a day out, including the impressive earthworks and Bailey Gate, which flanks the main road into the village. Head to the stunning historic priory nearby, where you can plug into an audio tour.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/burgh-castle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Burgh Castle</a></strong>, Norfolk</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/04/Burgh-Castle-ruins.jpg" alt="Burgh Castle ruins" class="wp-image-41196" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/04/Burgh-Castle-ruins.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/04/Burgh-Castle-ruins-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/04/Burgh-Castle-ruins-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/04/Burgh-Castle-ruins-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The 3rd century fort at Burgh Castle is one of the best-preserved Roman monuments in Britain. This English Heritage lovely was originally built as part of the Roman network of coastal defences, so it boasts stunning views over Breydon Water. The land around the fort is also a wildlife haven, perfect for the nature lovers in your gang. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><a href="https://www.visiteastofengland.com/attraction_activity/bungay-castle" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bungay Castle</a></strong>, Suffolk</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="800" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/04/Bungay-Castle.jpg" alt="Bungay Castle" class="wp-image-41195" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/04/Bungay-Castle.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/04/Bungay-Castle-800x640.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/04/Bungay-Castle-768x614.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/04/Bungay-Castle-656x525.jpg 656w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The crowning glory at Bungay Castle is definitely the pair of massive gatehouse towers, but there’s also the bridge pit and curtain walls to explore at the Norman site, which was first built by the Bigods in 1165. The grassy inner bailey gives you great views across the Waveney Valley and it’s a short stroll to the picturesque Bungay market square and the town’s lovely indie shops and restaurants.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-framlingham-castle-suffolk"><a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/framlingham-castle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Framlingham Castle</a>, Suffolk</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/09/Framlingham_Castle_from_the_Air-1.jpg" alt="Framlingham castle" class="wp-image-28462" /></figure>



<p>You’ll need a head for heights for this castle because the main attraction is a wall walk along the towering walls with stunning views across the Suffolk countryside. <a href="https://suffolkcambs.muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/suffolk/framlingham/">Framlingham</a> is one of the best castles in the country and there’s a lot of history to discover here (including the fact that Mary Tudor was crowned Queen of England here) and you can discover it all on the audio guide. It’s great for kids, plus there’s a cafe, shop and dogs on leads can even join too. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/orford-castle/">Orford Castle</a>, Suffolk</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1003" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/02/orford-castle.jpg" alt="Orford Castle" class="wp-image-63643" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/02/orford-castle.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/02/orford-castle-798x800.jpg 798w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/02/orford-castle-997x1000.jpg 997w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/02/orford-castle-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/02/orford-castle-768x770.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>This jaunty little castle near the Suffolk coast is one of England’s most unusual and complete keeps. Because it is so intact you can explore everything from the basement right up to the roof, which has amazing views over Orford Ness. There are audio guides to tell you all about the royal history (it has been owned by everyone from Henry II and Richard I) and the keep also houses lots of ancient artefacts as part of Orford Museum. Oh and there’s a shop for kids to spend their pocket money on tat (we mean souvenirs) afterwards.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">FURTHER AFIELD</h2>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hedingham-castle-essex"><a href="https://www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk/visit" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hedingham Castle</a>, Essex </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2020/08/Hedingham-castle.jpg" alt="Hedingham Castle from the sky" class="wp-image-17979" /></figure>



<p>This castle is an iconic medieval fortress in Essex and its Great Tower is a thing of beauty. There’s a lot to discover so you can make a day of it, with everything from dungeons and towers and castley nooks and crannies to discover, plus tree trails and wooded glades for picnics. Bit of a macabre royal link here – Matilda, wife of King Stephen, died at Castle Hedingham in 1152. In happier news you’ll want to keep an eye out for all the fun events that take place here throughout the year.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-berkhamsted-castle-herts-nbsp"><a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/berkhamsted-castle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Berkhamsted Castle</a>, Herts&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/berkhamsted-castle-hero.jpg" alt="Berkhamsted Castle" class="wp-image-32685" /></figure>



<p>Considering it was built during the Norman Conquest, way back in 1066, what remains of this timber motte-and-bailey castle is still pretty substantial (come on, use your imagination!) and a great option for a family walk peppered with history. The castle was kept in royal hands when it was whole and was occupied by key figures such as Thomas Becket, Richard, Earl of Cornwall, and the Black Prince.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-leeds-castle-kent-nbsp"><a href="https://www.leeds-castle.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leeds Castle</a>, Kent&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/04/leeds-castle-1024x527-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-32681" /></figure>



<p>Perched on an island in the middle of the River Len, five miles southeast of Maidstone, this castle has been described as the “loveliest castle in the world” and has a lot on offer for a jam-packed day including – deep breath – playgrounds, Birds of Prey Centre, mini golf, pretty gardens and restaurant. The royal history? The Castle became a royal palace for&nbsp;Edward I&nbsp;and Queen Eleanor of Castile in 1278, has been home to six medieval queens, and was owned by King Henry VIII.</p>


Fit for a king! Castle day trips in Norfolk and beyond

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