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Visiting Caister Castle
Caister Castle was owned by the notable Knight Sir John Fastolf and later by the Paston family. Complete with towers, curtain walls, and a moat, it’s an impressive estate. Today, Caister Castle is a Grade I listed building used as a tourist site with a museum that’s open to the public.
Parking
There’s ample free parking on-site. However, there are no reserved Blue Badge parking spaces available. In addition, the parking lot is uneven in some places, so take care when you visit if you have a disability.
Price
Tickets are purchased on-site
Adult - £17
Child (Under 5 Years Old) - Free
Child (5 to 17 Years Old) - £8
Senior Citizens - £15
Family (2 Adults, 2 Children) - £45
Opening
Caister Castle is open year-round on Sunday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM. They’re closed on Saturdays.
Location and Access
In the parish of West Caister, Caister Castle is located at Castle Lane, Caister-on-Sea, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR30 5SN.
The Castle is well marked within Caister with brown tourist signs and easy to find.
The Castle is 5 miles (8.04km) north of Great Yarmouth on the A149. To get to the Castle from Yarmouth:
- Take Quay Road north onto Caister By-pass/ A149.
- Stay on A149, taking Norwich road.
- Turn left onto Castle lane, and follow it straight to the Castle.
Unfortunately, there’s no train or bus access to Caister Castle.
Know Before You Go
- The motor museum is accessible for disabled people, but the castle tower includes steep steps and uneven ground.
- Once you pay the entry fee, you’ll get a complimentary cup of tea or coffee at Caister Castle.
- Restrooms are located in the Motor Museum on the castle grounds.
- On-site, climb to the top of the tower and visit the Motor Museum.
Places To Stay Nearby
While you’re in Caister-On-Sea, stay somewhere close to the Castle with the best benefits. These hotels, all very close to Caister Estate, offer excellent amenities. They also have fantastic reviews, so you can be sure that you’ll have the best vacation possible if you stay at one of these places.
Lower Wood Farm Country Cottages
Only 0.7 miles (1.1 km) from Caister Castle, Lower Wood Cottages is the perfect place to stay if you want to walk to the castle grounds.
They have eight self-service cottage locations, all right next to the Castle. They offer excellent amenities like a swimming pool, a play barn for kids, a sun lounge, free parking, full-service laundry facilities, and so much more. When you check-in, a basket of homemade cakes and tea will be waiting for you in your fully equipped cottage kitchen.
Caister-on-Sea Holiday Park
Caister-On-Sea Holiday Park, 2.2 miles (3.5 km) from the Castle, is sure to make your stay by the coast memorable and comfortable.
They’ve plenty of things to do during your visit, like a pool with a water park, beach access, a bar, a restaurant, loads of play areas for kids, a rose garden, and live entertainment every weekend. Their luxury accommodations are sure to turn your trip into a full-service vacation!
The Elmfield
3.1 miles (5 km) south of Caister Castle, visit The Elmfield Hotel. With competitive rates and amenities like complimentary breakfast, free wifi, and on-site parking, this hotel is the perfect budget-friendly hotel for your stay in Yarmouth.
Take a walk along the coastline, less than a 5-minute walk from the hotel. They also have a mini-bar and a lounge. So, you can expect nothing but relaxation at The Elmfield.
History of Caister Castle
Caister Castle was home to the Fastolf and Paston Families, who make up an essential part of English history. Built in the 15th century, Caister was the first brick castle constructed in England. It would have been an impressive sight in its heyday.
Time Line
-1363
In 1363, Caister Hall was bought by John Fastolf I. At the time, the manor was likely built of wood, and it had a moat, but it was not heavily fortified.
-1432-1446 (Castle Constructed)
Sir John Fastolf, the son of John Fastolf, commissioned the construction of Caister Castle. It was built on the site of Caister Hall, and Fastolf intended the new, impressive castle to become a chantry, where a priest would constantly pray for the Fastolf family.
Sir John Fastolf is an interesting man in his own right. He was the basis for the character Sir John Falstaff in Shakespeare's King Henry IV, Henry V, and The Merry Wives of Windsor.
Fastolf was a Knight of the Garter, and he was a crucial figure in the 100 Years War. He also served in many Anglo-French battles under Henry IV, V, and VI. As a close attendant of the King, Fastolf was a well-known and influential knight.
He was also a literary patron. Many of his letters to his lawyer John Paston survive, making up part of the Paston Letters. These letters are one of the earliest, largest, and most detailed letter collections from the English nobility. They’re an essential source for studying English history and linguistics.
-1459
Sir John Fastolf died with no heir, and Caister Castle then went into the hands of the Paston family since John Paston I was one of Fastolf's dearest friends and his lawyer.
Although the Paston family moved into the Castle, several other influential people, such as the Duke of Norfolk and Sir William Yelverton, claimed they should inherit Caister Estate. This dispute started a prolonged conflict that would disgrace the Paston family.
-1464 (Castle Sieged)
John de Mowbray, the 4th Duke of Norfolk, led an attack on Caister Castle to take over the property and force the Paston family to leave. After two months of siege, the Duke finally overtook the Castle, successfully forcing the Paston family to yield.
The Duke, not wanting to damage the property, killed some of the Paston's attendants and servants, but he did not attack the Castle by force. Instead, as is written in the Paston Letters, he surrounded the Castle with over 3,000 men and starved out the Paston family.
-1476
When the 4th Duke of Norfolk died heirless, the Paston family overtook Caister Castle, finally restoring it to their family's ownership. The Pastons moved back into the Castle, and it served as their primary residence for 120 more years.
-1599
The Pastons moved out of Caister Castle to a new estate in Oxnead.
-1659
William Paston sold Caister Castle to pay a £6,500 debt to a moneylender named William Crow.
-1776
By the 18th century, the castle was in a state of dire disrepair. No one lived at Caister after the Pastons sold it, and in 1776, Revered David Collyer removed 122 stone steps from the Castle to build his own home in Wroxham.
It’s likely that many other people stole the stones from the ruined Castle, and slowly, it went into complete disarray.
-1960 (Castle Becomes Tourist Site)
The castle was in terrible shape by this time. However, the tower, portions of the curtain walls, and small segments of the original moat remained intact.
In the mid-1960s, Dr Hill of Leicestershire bought the castle. Recognizing the importance of the estate, he built the Caister Castle Motor Museum adjacent to the castle grounds. He also opened the castle as a tourist site under Caister Castle Trust.
Caister Castle Occupants
Although Caister Castle only belonged to the Fastolf family for two generations, it belonged to the Pastons intermittently for 200 years. As the property of two important families of England, the castle was a wonderful status symbol that brought more honour to their names.
Some of the most influential and well-known residents of Caister Castle include:
- Sir John Fastolf, Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter
- John Paston I, Lawyer
- Sir John Paston, Knight Banneret
- John De Mowbray, 4th Duke of Norfolk
Images of Caister Castle
Images Supplied and licensed from Shutterstock Standard Licence Package
Caister Castle Facts
The Castle's construction cost around £6,000 in 1440, which would be worth £3,858,057.00 today.
Although Sir John Fastolf wanted the Castle to contain a chapel where a priest and monks would pray for his soul after he died, the chapel was never built.
The clay used to make the Castle's bricks was dug up only a mile from the estate.
The tower is 96 ft (29.2 m) tall, and you can still climb it today to see a stunning view. Near the tower's bottom, you can still see gun ports and holes that the guards would have shot arrows from.
Caister Castle Q&A
Do you still have questions about visiting Caister Castle and Motor Museum? Well, you aren't alone. These are some of the most frequently asked questions about the Castle and the grounds rules.
Are Dogs Allowed at Caister Castle?
Dogs are allowed on the castle grounds, but they cannot enter the tower or the motor museum. However, assistance dogs are welcome anywhere on the castle grounds.
Is Caister Castle Wheelchair Accessible?
Caister Castle is wheelchair accessible, and so is the museum on the grounds. They offer accessible restrooms and wide doorways, although some of the castle grounds are uneven and bumpy. Unfortunately, there’s also no wheelchair access to the top of the tower, which has steep steps.
Can I Take Video and Photographs of the Castle and Museum?
You’re permitted to take as many photos and videos as you want. There used to be a ban on photography in the museum, but the ban was lifted around 2012.
Can I Bring Food to the Castle?
There are plenty of picnic spots on the castle grounds, so feel free to bring your own food. There’s also an on-site cade, though, so if you want coffee, tea, or a light meal, stop by for a snack.
Location of Caister Castle
Caister Castle is located at:
Castle Lane
Caister-on-Sea
Great Yarmouth
Norfolk
NR30 5SN
Caister Castle and Motor Museum is an ideal destination for tourists due to its close ties to the Norfolk Nobility and the collection of the Paston Letters, which chronicle much of the Castle's history. With its ideal location right off the Caister coastline, it’s the perfect place to see some interesting historical sites and enjoy the beauty of the seaside.
Other Places To Visit Near Caister Castle
While you’re in Caister, there are tonnes of other places to see before you leave! With the coastline just a few miles from the Castle and the larger city of Yarmouth just south of Caister Estate, there are plenty of museums, historical sites, and tourist spots that are sure to make your stay memorable and exciting.
Caister Castle Motor Museum
As part of the Caister Castle Historical site, you can't miss the Motor Museum, located on the castle grounds. They boast England's most extensive privately-owned car collection and have many unique vintage cars.
Stop by and see over 100 different historic vehicles, including the first-ever Ford Fiesta, an 1893 Panhard et Levassor, Peter Rachman's Cadillac, the 1921 Rolls Royce used in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, an early steam engine, and stagecoaches. They also feature hundreds of bikes and motorbikes.
Caister Roman Fort
1.4 miles (2.3km) east of Caister Castle, stop by Caister Roman Fort, a 3rd-century Roman fort. It’s an English Heritage site that’s free to visit, so don't hesitate to stop by and look at the excavated ruins of the monumental Roman garrison.
Time and Tide Museum of Great Yarmouth Life
In Great Yarmouth, you can't miss the Time and Tide Museum. Just 4.9 miles (7.9km) south of the Castle, learn more about Yarmouth's transformation from the Ice Age to today.
The museum building is an old Victorian Herring Curing factory, and inside, you can learn more about how fishing has always been an integral part of Norfolk's trade. With tonnes of hands-on exhibits and interactive displays, you won't ever be bored here! So stop by while you’re on the coast for a great time!
National Trust Elizabethan House Museum
In Yarmouth City Centre, 4.6 miles (7.4km) south of Caister Castle, stop by The Elizabethan House Museum to see some spectacular antiques in a well-preserved Elizabethan house. Many of the furnishings, art, and structural details date back to the 1500s, and visiting the museum feels like a trip back in time.
Once owned by Benjamin Cowper, the old manor where the museum stands frequently hosted famous guests such as Oliver Cromwell.
Caister-on-Sea Beach
While you're so near the coastline, stop by the beach for the perfect day out. This beach, known for its golden sands and stunning blue waters, is the ideal quiet spot for a picnic and a swim after a long day walking.
The coastline is always clean and quiet, and they’ve immaculate public restroom facilities, so it’s one of the best beaches in the area.
Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens
Drive 3.6 miles (5.8km) west of the Castle to visit Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens, a zoological park with plenty of walking trails and exotic animals. Visit the tigers, leopards, monkeys, otters, reptiles, and vast bird exhibits, among many others, or stroll through the scenic gardens on the elevated walkways.
Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens also has cafes, tonnes of play areas for kids, and is wheelchair accessible, so there’s something here for everyone!