The Great Estuary, or Burgh Castle

10th June 2026. My birthday. But the weather god doesn’t care about that; it’s going to rain late morning. This calls for a change of plan. We were going to walk out to Burgh Castle, along Breydon bank, to have lunch in the village pub. But will we get there before the rain? No chances taken, we take a bus instead and we’ll walk just the Burgh end of Breydon. Please join us but remember to bring wet weather wear! Let’s go…

10th June 2026

The Roman fort at Burgh Castle, Gariannum, dates to C3rd. Our east coast faces Netherlands and Denmark, the Saxon lands back in the day. Thus this ‘fort’ wasΒ  recorded as a Saxon Shore fort. Was it a fort? Or a place for holding incoming wares prior to distribution throughout Norfolk and Suffolk? For it sits on the shores of the Great Estuary πŸ”½

My Map

10th June 2026

πŸ”Ό Whatever its original purpose, coming at it from the estuary there are steps to climb πŸ”½ which deliver you into this wide open place

10th June 2026

10th June 2026

πŸ”Ό Walls remain along three of the sides, in quite good condition considering its age πŸ”½

10th June 2026

10th June 2026

πŸ”Ό The view from here is fantastic. So easy to imagine it as a ‘great estuary, fed by theΒ  three rivers, with Roman boats carry supplies upriver, and probably Saxon boats heading in to trade with the Romans

10th June 2026

πŸ”Ό The confluence of the Yare, Broads cruiser in view πŸ”½ Looking back from Breydon bank to the Roman castle, lost amongst those trees

10th June 2026

10th June 2026

πŸ”Ό Time was, and not so long ago, the marshes beside Breydon were famed for their sweet grazing, cattle driven from Scotland just to graze here. Now a horse-rescue charity leases the land and the rescued horses have their freedom there πŸ”½ Geese raise their goslings across these marshes, safe amongst the wild-grown grasses

10th June 2026

10th June 2026

πŸ”Ό Breydon bank, heading towards Great Yarmouth πŸ”½ Tide’s outgoing. During the winter months the resultant mudflats swarm with waders of all sizes, but now they’re away in their breeding grounds. Instead, pleasure cruisers chug along the deepest channel. And it looks like the rain won’t be long

10th June 2026

10th June 2026

πŸ”Ό The rain catches up with us – and with it a strong bluster of wind. But not till we’ve left Breydon bank. Now we’re heading back to the village. Pub will be open soon πŸ”½ With my camera tucked away, out of the rain, I have to resort to my phone-camera, which isn’t so good. But I can’t miss these foxgloves suddenly shining out in an otherwise dark copse

10th June 2026

I hope you enjoyed. Sorry you couldn’t stay to enjoy the lunch. Don’t miss Tuesday’s crop of photos, and again this week, Friday Flyers!

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About crispina kemp

Spinner of Mythic Tales
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7 Responses to The Great Estuary, or Burgh Castle

  1. Sadje/ Sadie's avatar Sadje/ Sadie says:

    Lovely pictures Crispina. Belated happy birthday my friend

    Liked by 1 person

  2. The history here is giving me chills; it’s like watching a peaceful morning scene from Gladiator. And who doesn’t love to see horses running free? Happy belated birthday …. my anniversary date as well! 😊

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Violet Lentz's avatar Violet Lentz says:

    I cannot even image what it must be like to live surrounded by so much history- Thank you so much for taking me along!

    Like

  4. Chris Hall's avatar Chris Hall says:

    Ooh, wonderful and how interesting!!

    Like

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