Visitors to the 900-year-old castle will be able to experience the medieval past in recreated rooms and a gallery showcasing more than 900 artefacts.
Norwich Castle Keep reopened on Wednesday 13th August, following a £27.5 million redevelopment project that has seen the interior and exterior revitalised.
The Grade I-listed Norwich Castle Keep was originally commissioned by William the Conqueror and completed by his son King Henry I in 1121. The historic attraction’s medieval past has been recreated, with visitors now able to access all five floors from the basement to the battlements.
Cllr Kay Mason-Billig, Leader of Norfolk County Council, said: “Anyone who has visited the Keep at Norwich Castle previously and now comes to see this wonderful redevelopment will be amazed. It now looks and feels like the medieval castle it once was, following a painstaking and authentic redevelopment.
“Multisensory elements and interactive exhibits also bring medieval Norwich to life, fostering a deeper connection to the past for visitors of all ages. We are so proud to have created such an accessible visitor attraction offering spectacular views across our wonderful city, and to have worked with so many supportive partners to launch the largest heritage development project opening in the UK this year.”
Following the redevelopment, the castle is wheelchair accessible across every floor with a new lift to accommodate those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), along with families with pushchairs.
What’s changed?
Inside the Royal Palace, original medieval floors and rooms have been meticulously reinstated and furnished to create an authentic sense of what life was like in a Norman royal castle. Visitors will be able to move through the rooms, where they can sit on a throne, dress up like a Norman noble or just enjoy the space.
The history of the Keep has been brought to life through an immersive storytelling experience with specially commissioned audio visuals telling the story of life in 12th-century England on the walls of the Great Hall. Hand-crafted textiles, including a 19-metre-long embroidered tapestry inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry, banners and costumes are on display throughout.
A new medieval gallery has been created, showcasing artefacts from the Norman conquest to the reign of Henry VIII. Developed in partnership with the British Museum, the permanent Gallery of Medieval Life explores three key aspects of medieval society – workers, the nobility and the Church and features more than 900 pieces.
Items on display range from personal items such as an exquisitely carved ivory bobbin discovered in the Castle’s drains, to elaborate scientific objects such as an astrolabe, used to make astronomical measurements.
Group visits
Groups of ten or more can visit at a discounted rate, with free admission for group leaders when booking in advance. Guided tours are available for groups at an additional cost.
For more information about Norwich Castle, visit www.norwichcastle.norfolk.gov.uk.
