Norwich Castle’s 900-year-old medieval keep is reopening to the public in August following a five-year, multimillion-pound redevelopment.
The Grade I-listed keep in the centre of the city has been redeveloped to transport visitors back 900 years in time to Norman England.
Supported by a £13 million grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the new visitor attraction opens to the public on 7 August.
The stone keep was completed by King Henry I, William the Conqueror’s son, in 1121. Over the years, it has served as a Victorian prison and a museum.
As part of the project, the original medieval floors and rooms have been meticulously reinstated and fully furnished.
Also, a new Gallery of Medieval Life created in partnership with the British Museum will display nearly 1,000 medieval artefacts.
Across the keep, there will be new interactive activities and multi-sensory elements to provide an immersive experience.
In addition, the project includes upgraded visitor facilities, such as a new shop, café and learning space, which opened in 2024.
Medieval keep to reopen in August
Following the redevelopment, Norwich Castle is now thought to be the UK’s most accessible castle, with new lifts to transport guests to all five floors, from the basement to the rooftop battlements.
The castle site now incorporates the medieval keep and a museum and art gallery, housed in the converted buildings of the Georgian-era prison.
Work started at Norwich Castle in the summer of 2020 but was delayed due to issues including the Covid-19 pandemic and challenges sourcing building materials.
Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery is part of Norfolk Museums Service (NMS), an award-winning service comprising 10 museums and a study centre.
Images courtesy of Norfolk Museums Service
