Caister Castle, Medieval castle and history museum in West Caister, United Kingdom.
Caister Castle is a medieval fortified residence in West Caister, Norfolk, built in the 15th century, with a tall round tower still standing and the rest of the buildings surviving as stone ruins. The site sits within a grounds that once included a moat, and the layout shows both living quarters and defensive features.
Sir John Fastolf, a knight who made his fortune in the Hundred Years War, had the castle built between 1432 and 1446. After his death in 1459, ownership was disputed for years between the Paston family and rival nobles, and the site was even besieged in 1469.
Caister Castle is also home to a car museum on its grounds, housing one of the largest private collections of vintage vehicles in Britain. Visitors often find it unexpected to see old cars and motorcycles displayed alongside medieval stonework.
Visitors can climb the tower and walk freely around the ruins at their own pace. Sturdy footwear is a good idea, as the ground can be uneven and slippery after rain.
Sir John Fastolf, who commissioned the castle, is thought by some historians to have partly inspired Shakespeare's character Falstaff. The similarity in name alone has kept the debate alive for centuries.
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