Mileham Castle



Mileham Castle (also referred to as ‘Hall Yards’ on old maps) is one of the largest motte and bailey castles in Norfolk. It straddles the B1145, a pre-Conquest road that remained the main east-west route through the county until the 17th century.

The castle was constructed in about 1100 and its remains form a surprisingly imposing monument consisting of a motte built up around the fragments of a stone keep, two baileys and a further banked rectangular enclosure to the north of the road, which now contains Burwood Hall (built in 1793) and farm buildings.

A large wooded deer park was once attached to the south of the castle.

The positioning of the castle astride the road is thought to have been connected with raising revenue from a possible market place in the northern enclosure and from tolls on travellers. It is probable that the castle had fallen out of use by about 1300, but before then the tall keep, probably whitewashed, when seen against the green wooded backdrop of the deer park, would have been an impressive sight.

It is now largely in ruins and is used as a nature reserve.

Although it is privately owned, you are very welcome to explore the site at your own risk. However, as cows are sometimes grazing there, please make sure that the gate is kept closed at all times.