Green light for multi-million pound transformation of Norwich Castle keep

A digital reconstruction of Norwich Castle's Great Hall as it may have looked in 1121. Credit: Norfolk Museums Service.

A multi-million pound scheme to transform Norwich Castle's historic keep has been given a boost thanks to a lottery grant.

The project has been granted nearly half a million pounds towards the proposals which will see the site restored to how it would have looked during its heydey under the great Norman kings.

The Heritage Lottery Fund has already earmarked a further £8.7m for the project and it is hoped this latest grant will help unlock the rest of the money. A second application for the full grant will be made at a later stage.

In the medieval period Norwich Castle was one of the most important buildings in the whole of Europe with one of the most elaborate Romanesque keeps.

The Norwich Castle: Gateway to Medieval England project will allow visitors to immerse themselves in the sights and sounds of King Henry I's lavish castle by exploring the recreated Great Hall, King's chamber and chapel.

Parts of the original Norman architecture will be exposed and a new battlements experience will allow people to see views of both medieval and present-day Norwich.

An artist's impression of the restored Norman castle keep. Credit: Norfolk Museums Service.

HISTORY OF NORWICH CASTLE:

Norwich’s Grade I listed stone keep was constructed around 1100 during the reign of Henry I.

By the 13th century the castle had lost its importance as a military stronghold and its main function became that of the county gaol.

It continued in use as a prison for 600 years until 1887. The keep and prison buildings were then bought by the city and Norwich Castle Museum opened its doors to the public for the first time in 1894.