Burgh Castle Field
Has been described as a Questionable Timber Castle (Motte)
There are earthwork remains
| Name | Burgh Castle Field |
| Alternative Names | |
| Historic Country | Suffolk |
| Modern Authority | Suffolk |
| 1974 Authority | Suffolk |
| Civil Parish | Burgh |
The Burgh enclosure is a bivallate Iron Age earthwork enclosure, roughly rectangular in shape, and enclosing an area of 7 hectares which includes Burgh Church. A possible circular feature was identified in the north-west corner of the enclosure in the 1900-1 excavations. This has been identified in the past as the possible site of a Norman motte, although finds were exclusively Roman, and nothing shows up on air photographs. Martin (1988) suggests that if a circular feature did exist, then a more plausible explanation would be a medieval or post-medieval windmill mound, as perhaps suggested by the field name "Old Mount" recorded in the mid-C19. (PastScape)
Half the site is already scheduled as 'Belgic Site' because of the finds of Belgic pottery. Recent aerial photographs show a double or triple-ditched enclosure forming 3 sides of a square round the church, strongly suggesting either an Iron Age or Saxon earthwork. (Suffolk HER ref Scheduling Report)
The position as a possible manorial centre means it is not possible to totally exclude a short lived medieval castle here, although attention has to be given to Martin's comments. Also Manor House, which seems to date from Saxon times is outside the enclosure (Suffolk HER record BUG001)
This site is a scheduled monument protected by law
Not Listed
Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
| OS Map Grid Reference | TM224523 |
| Latitude | 52.1240310668945 |
| Longitude | 1.24697005748749 |
| Eastings | 622400 |
| Northings | 252300 |
