Site of Coltishall Castle

The earthworks of Coltishall Castle sit quietly in the Norfolk countryside, a few miles east of Wroxham, and honestly they're underwhelming if you're expecting dramatic ruins. What you're looking at is basically a raised mound with some ditches - the remains of a Norman motte-and-bailey fortress from around 1100. It's the sort of place archaeology types will find genuinely interesting, but families expecting castle walls will feel short-changed.

You can wander freely around the site, which takes maybe twenty minutes unless you're really into medieval fortifications. The setting itself is pleasant enough - proper Norfolk fenland with a decent walk if you're keen. Timing-wise, go in dry weather because it gets boggy, and there's no facilities so bring what you need.

This works best as a leg of a broader Broads holiday rather than a destination on its own. Base yourself at Top Farm Campsite or Two Mills Touring Park - both are within an easy drive - and combine it with walks around the Broads proper. Wroxham itself is just a short hop away, so you can do riverside cafes and boat trips there. If you're genuinely interested in Norman history and don't mind a quiet spot, it's worth an hour. Otherwise, save your time for the bigger attractions along the Broads.