Thetford Castle, Medieval castle ruins in Thetford, England
Thetford Castle is a medieval fortification dominated by a massive earthen mound rising sharply from the surrounding landscape. Below the mound lie scattered stone remnants and ditches that once formed part of the castle's defensive system.
The castle was built in the 11th century after the Norman Conquest to establish control over the region. It replaced an earlier Saxon settlement that had occupied this location before the invasion.
The site shows how Norman invaders brought new forms of military construction to England after 1066. You can sense how different this style was from the Saxon structures that stood here before.
The site is open year-round and visitors can climb to the top of the mound for views across the town and surrounding countryside. The grounds are free to explore at your own pace without scheduled hours.
The mound stands as one of England's tallest medieval earthworks, built by hand using basic tools and moving enormous quantities of soil. Few visitors realize how much labor this required with only shovels and muscle power available.
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