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Morgan Sindall began work on refurbishing Grade I-listed Norwich Castle for Norfolk Museums Service in autumn 2019 and has seen costs rise from an original budget of £18m to £27.5m.

Fully reopening on Wednesday 13^th August, Norwich Castle now lays claim to being the most accessible castle in the UK. A new lift ensures wheelchair accessibility, accommodating those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) on every floor, including the rooftop battlements, while also supporting the access needs of families with pushchairs.

The castle was originally commissioned by William the Conqueror and completed by his son King Henry I in 1121.

Today, within the Caen limestone walls, are new immersive visitor attractions that lift the lid on medieval life. A new medieval gallery showcases artefacts from across the medieval period – 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. It is the British Museum’s first medieval gallery outside of London, and its seventh partnership gallery to open around the UK.

Other features of the redevelopment include a new entrance to Norwich Castle with a light-filled atrium adjacent to the Keep which opened in phase one of the redevelopment in July 2024. There is also, of course, a new café, gift shop and additional toilets.

British Museum director Nicholas Cullinan said: ‘Norwich Castle Keep was one of the most spectacular medieval palaces in Europe, so I can think of no more fitting place for the British Museum’s first medieval partnership gallery to be hosted.

 “We are really proud to be part of this transformative project, which restores the Keep to its former glory. It has been wonderful to collaborate so closely with Norfolk Museums Service, and to complement their nationally significant collections with a wide range of objects from our collection, on long term loan.”

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.”

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