All You Need To Know About Norwich Castle, A 900-Year-Old Norman Structure That Has Reopened To The Public
Norwich Castle—one of Europe’s most important Norman palaces—is reopening to the public after a five-year, GBP 27.5 million transformation (approximately INR 3.2 billion).
The revamp of the medieval castle has included restoring all five original floor levels in the Grade I listed keep, re-creating the Great Hall and creating step-free access from the basement to the rooftop battlements. It’s also now the United Kingdom’s most accessible castle, thanks to a state-of-the-art lift that allows wheelchair and pushchair access all the way to the rooftop.
Visitors can step into meticulously recreated Norman royal chambers, complete with authentic furnishings, interactive displays and immersive audio-visual laser projections in the Great Hall telling the story of the castle.
So what can you expect from a trip to Norwich Castle? Here’s what awaits curious visitors and history enthusiasts.
The History Of Norwich Castle
Norwich Castle was founded by William the Conqueror, the first Norman king of England, between 1066 and 1075. It was completed by his son, King Henry I, in 1121.
The structure was built using limestone shipped from Caen in France at a cost of over three times the original value of the stone. Originally, the ground floor walls were faced in flint, in stark contrast to the white limestone of the Royal Palace on the upper level. The upper floor (where the balcony now stands) was divided into two sections: on the north side was the Great Hall, and on the south were the royal quarters which comprised of a large parlour, bedrooms and a private chapel. Within the outer walls is a walkway (fighting gallery) where soldiers could patrol the castle.
The building was designed to be a royal palace rather than a fortification. However, no Norman kings ever lived in it. The only time Henry I is known to have stayed at Norwich Castle was for Christmas 1121.
Parts of Norwich Castle were also used as a prison from an early stage, with state prisoners confined there in 1264 and 1274. An Act of Parliament was passed in 1340 that gave sheriffs control over the prisons.
Thus, a gallows was erected on the bridge behind the entrance lodges to the castle; felons were either executed publicly at these gallows or privately within the gaol.
Visiting Norwich Castle Today
When you first enter the keep, you will feel a sense of occasion akin to the Norman period. A staircase leads up its east wall, following the same route that visitors in the 12th century would have taken.
Arriving at the room at the top of the forebuilding, admire the spectacular carved arched doorway which formed the original entrance to the keep—one of the finest surviving examples of its kind.
The Great Hall
Turning your attention to the Great Hall, you will notice that it’s been set up for a medieval feast, with long wooden tables and benches. This grand public space was used to display and perform royal power.
The richly coloured silk and embroidered banners, based on illustrations from medieval manuscripts and rare surviving textiles, add to the impression of wealth and grandeur. Stick around for the audiovisual show that tells the story of the castle.
Perhaps the most enjoyable part is that visitors can dress up and take a seat in one of the beautifully carved thrones, hear the pleas of their subjects and dispense royal justice. Or, imagine themselves as one of the keep's many servants, scurrying to and from the kitchen as they waited on important guests.
Above the Great Hall is the mezzanine which provided additional living space at busy times. During major feasts and gatherings in the Great Hall below, musicians and minstrels provided entertainment from this level. Standing on the mezzanine you get a bird's-eye view of the Great Hall.
Royal Apartments
Moving to the richly decorated royal apartments, you will observe that the walls are painted in elaborate patterns. The furniture is colourful and sometimes gilded, the doors feature fancy ironwork scrolls, while colourful banners and tapestries hang on walls.
This is because Norman (or Romanesque) style was very colourful and ornate. The team behind the restoration perused period manuscripts and archaeological evidence to provide as authentic an experience as possible for visitors.
The Great Chamber
Next up is the Great Chamber, a semi-private space that was used for domestic living, entertainment, and private and official conversation. This handsomely decorated room is where the king and queen would have stayed during their rare visits. In their absence, it provided accommodation for senior royal officials like the Sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk.
Here, discover some of the room's luxury features like the large fireplace and elaborate water basin—the 12th-century equivalent of an en-suite. The king's bed, with its fine carving and colourful woodwork, is eye-catching, too. There’s also a Norwich Friends Tapestry, which tells the story of two rebellions against Norman rule.
The Chapel
Wend your way to the chapel, where a chaplain said daily mass for the household of the keep. You can listen as a choir sings an atmospheric medieval chant.
The Battlements Of Norwich Castle
You can’t leave Norwich Castle without checking out its battlements, now accessible for the first time in over nine centuries.
At the top, admire breathtaking views of the city in all four directions. Here, new illustration panels show the layout of medieval Norwich, which you can compare to the modern-day city.
At the other end of the keep, you'll find the impressive basement. This large space is divided into north and south compartments.
The northern half of the keep basement was probably used for storage. It contained large stone arches which supported the floor above. Today, you can see the impressive medieval pier bases of this arcade.
Meanwhile, the southern half of the basement provided further storage for the keep. It also contains the remains of the all-important well, as a secure fresh water supply was crucial to any castle.
As you walk up and down the castle and feel a yearning curiosity for more Norman history, you can satiate it at the large gallery complex at the castle. It contains internationally important collections in archaeology, natural history, regimental history, and fine, decorative and contemporary art.
The Information | Norwich Castle, United Kingdom
When Is The Best Time To Visit Norwich Castle?
The best time to visit Norwich Castle is during the shoulder seasons, such as late spring or early autumn, when the weather is pleasant and crowds are smaller. Additionally, visiting during weekdays can help avoid the larger weekend crowds.
Norwich Castle is open every day of the week from 10 AM to 5 PM. It is closed on Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve.
How To Reach Norwich Castle?
By air, take a connecting flight to Norwich Airport (NWI) from Amsterdam or London. You can also consider direct train services to Norwich from London Liverpool Street, which takes nearly two hours. Alternatively, you can board buses from major UK cities to Norwich or drive to it.
What Is The Visa Process For Indians Travelling To The United Kingdom?
Indian citizens require a UK Standard Visitor Visa for tourism. You must apply online before travelling, provide supporting documents and attend a biometric appointment at a visa application centre. Processing usually takes three-to-six weeks, so apply well in advance.
