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Felixstowe Nub News delves into the history of Walton Castle.

Walton Castle was the site of the Roman Saxon Shore fort.

It was most likely built between 276-285AD, standing around thirty metres above sea level before falling victim to sea erosion in the eighteenth century.

After the leaving of the Romans, the Normans used the fort as a bailey for a castle that was built there by a Bigod earl, most likely Roger Bigod. A bailey in a fortification is a courtyard enclosed by a curtain wall.

The castle was later strengthened by the second son of Roger, Hugh Bigod. However, it would soon be confiscated and garrisoned by King Henry II, in favour of his new castle at Orford.

Engraving of the remains of Walton Castle on the beach, 1766, by Francis Grose.

King Henry II would later dismantle the castle between the years 1175-76, however, the walls of the Roman fort would survive this demolition. This is owing to their recording up until the eighteenth century.

There has been speculation that Walton Castle was one possible location of Dommoc/Dumnoc. This castle was named by the eighth century historian Bede as the site of the first East Anglian episcopal minster, given to St. Felix by King Sigeberht.

St. Felix's name lends itself to the name Felixstowe itself.

S.E. Rigold, one such source of speculation on this idea, argues that his placement of Dommoc/Dunmoc at Walton Castle, rather than the other speculated location Dunwich, is due to documentary evidence and a seventh century gold coin possibly found there.

John Kirby's "The Suffolk Traveller: Second Edition," he details that in 1740, the west wall of the fort still stood. However, in 1754, he describes that "the Sea hath washed away the remainder of the Foundation."

The ruins of the fort are visible at very low tide, when the tidal height is less than 0.2 metres.

Walton Castle at low tide [Credit: Tim Merchant on Geograph]

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