Caister Castle
Caister Castle in Norfolk is one of England’s earliest brick-built fortresses, commissioned in the 1430s by Sir John Fastolf, a veteran of the Hundred Years’ War whose name is often linked to Shakespeare’s Falstaff. Its tall tower, rising more than 30 metres, remains the most striking survivor of a once‑lavish residence designed to display wealth as much as strength. The castle became the centre of a bitter feud after Fastolf’s death, culminating in a siege in 1469 that left parts of the complex ruined. Inside, visitors can explore the impressive tower, whose spiral staircase leads to panoramic views over the Norfolk countryside. The interior reveals fragments of medieval fireplaces, chambers and arrow slits that hint at both domestic comfort and defensive purpose. The surrounding grounds host a large collection of classic cars, adding an unexpected modern twist to the historic setting. Walking through the ruins, you can trace the outlines of the great hall, service rooms and courtyards, gaining a sense of how the castle functioned as a self‑contained noble household.
Caister-on-Sea United Kingdom
Caister Castle sits quietly in the parish of West Caister, just outside the coastal village of Caister-on-Sea in Norfolk, a short way north of Great Yarmouth. You’ll find it at Castle Lane, Caister-on-Sea, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR30 5SN. The castle itself is a fifteenth-century moated ruin with a tall brick tower that visitors can still climb for wide views across the surrounding countryside. Right on the same grounds is the Caister Castle Motor Museum, home to a large private collection of veteran, vintage and classic cars, motorcycles and other vehicles. Only a short distance away lie the remains of Caister Roman Fort, a Saxon Shore fort whose walls and foundations can still be walked among. The nearby village of Caister-on-Sea offers its sandy beach and the historic Holy Trinity Church. A few miles further brings you into Great Yarmouth, where you can explore the Elizabethan House Museum, the Time and Tide Museum and the preserved Row Houses that give a vivid sense of the old town. A little further still is Burgh Castle, another impressive Roman fort set beside the water.