Caister Castle

About the museum

Caister Castle was commissioned in 1432 by Sir John Fastolf, an English soldier who fought in the Hundred Years War and is said to have taken ideas for its design from his time in France. It is regarded as one of the earliest important buildings in England to be built mainly of brick. Today the castle is a ruin, but its 90-foot tower still stands and visitors can climb it for views over the remains and the surrounding countryside.

Fastolf left the castle in his will to his lawyer John Paston, but other heirs disputed the inheritance and the quarrel lasted for years. They eventually sold their claim to the Duke of Norfolk, whose large force besieged the small garrison in 1469. The urgent letters exchanged between Margaret Paston and her sons during the siege are among the earliest surviving private correspondence in Britain and are now kept in the British Museum.

The grounds now also hold a purpose-built motor museum, described by the owners as the largest privately owned motor collection open to the public in the United Kingdom. It includes more than 120 cars and 100 motorcycles and bicycles, horse-drawn vehicles, pedal cars and other related items. One admission ticket covers both the car collection and the castle tower.

Highlights

• Climbable 90-foot brick tower with views over the castle ruins
• More than 120 cars and 100 motorcycles, from an 1893 Panhard et Levassor to a customised 1990s Harley-Davidson
• Steam and electric vehicles, Jim Clark’s Lotus, Peter Rachman’s Cadillac and the first Ford Fiesta off the production line
• Displays of bicycles, horse-drawn vehicles and pedal cars
• Link to the Paston Letters and the 1469 siege

Permanent exhibitions

• Motor museum – A purpose-built museum with more than 120 cars and 100 motorcycles, from veteran and vintage models to classic and sports cars, plus bicycles, horse-drawn vehicles and pedal cars.
• Castle tower – The 90-foot tower of the 1432 brick castle can be climbed for views over the ruins and the surrounding area.

Admission & discounts

Admission covers the car collection and the castle tower. All major credit and debit cards are accepted.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The website lists disabled facilities but gives no further details; visitors should contact the castle in advance.

Kids & families

A family ticket is available. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Getting there & parking

Caister Castle is about 4 miles north of Great Yarmouth, just off the A149, and is signposted with brown tourist signs. Use the postcode NR30 5SN for satellite navigation. Coaches and buses must book by appointment.

Amenities & dining

• Café

Café serving light refreshments. There is a picnic area and a woodland walk.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit