Norwich Castle, Norwich Travel Guide

Built by William the Conqueror around 1068 and completed in 1121, Norwich Castle stands as one of England's finest surviving Norman keeps. Originally intended as a royal palace, it later served as a prison before becoming a museum in 1894. In 2025, a £13 million National Lottery Heritage Fund project reopened the entire Keep, offering unprecedented access from basement to rooftop battlements for the first time in its 900-year history. Step-free access makes it the UK's most accessible castle, immersing visitors in the splendour of medieval Norwich, England's second city at its peak.

In partnership with the British Museum, the Gallery of Medieval Life showcases over 950 artefacts revealing daily existence in 12th-century Norwich. Discover tools, jewellery, weapons, and religious items that illuminate the lives of merchants, artisans, soldiers, and worshippers. Multisensory displays bring the era alive with sounds of bustling markets and flickering torchlight, transporting you to a vibrant world of trade, conflict, and faith.

The museum houses world-class collections of fine and contemporary art, including the renowned Norwich School paintings by artists like John Crome and J.S. Cotman. Archaeology galleries feature Egyptian artefacts and local Roman finds, while natural history exhibits display taxidermied wildlife, fossils, and interactive stations for children. Temporary exhibitions from national galleries add fresh allure.

Ascend through five fully recreated floors of the Norman palace, furnished with period replicas and immersive storytelling. From shadowy basements evoking dungeons to the windswept battlements, enjoy 360-degree vistas over Norwich's medieval skyline, cathedrals, and winding rivers. Interactive models, videos, and audio guides enhance the journey.

Children delight in hands-on activities like Boudica's chariot ride, animal exhibits, and treasure hunts. Twilight tickets offer quieter visits, while education spaces support school groups. A café, shop, and picnic areas complete the experience in this hilltop landmark.