Weeting Castle

The ruins of a substantial early medieval moated manor house, built in local flint: a rare surviving example of a grand 12th century manor house, and a typical example of an East Anglian 'great house'.

It was constructed by Hugh de Plais in about 1180, and was the home of the de Plais family until the late 14th century, when the property passed by marriage to the Howards, Earls of Norfolk and was subsequently abandoned.

Hugh de Plais was a tenant of William de Warenne, the Earl of Surrey. The Warenne's Norfolk stronghold at Castle Acre had a similar building to Weeting Castle in the outer bailey, and it is thought that Hugh de Plais copied the design of this building for his own residence.

Despite its name, Weeting Castle was never fortified. The rectangular moat that surrounds the building was added in the mid-13th century. Its primary purpose was not defensive, however; it was built to demonstrate the wealth and power of the de Plais family.

After the hall went out of use, it was incorporated as an ornamental feature within the grounds of the now demolished Weeting Hall.

An ice house was built at this time to store ice collected from the moat.

The site has a long history of use, from the 10th century until the late 18th century. Archaeological excavations at the southern end of the hall have discovered ditches, burnt daub, post-holes and pottery dating to the Saxon period, suggesting that a Saxon settlement existed here before the stone hall was built.