Latest news with #RoyalPalaceReborn
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Medieval English attraction once used as a prison is finally reopening after 5 years with £27.5million revamp
A HISTORIC tourist site is set to reopen after a major renovation. The works at Norwich Castle, totalling £27.5 million, have been completed with the attraction preparing to Advertisement 2 Norwich Castle is set to reopen to the public next month after extensive renovation works Credit: Getty Renovation work first started in the summer of 2020 but was delayed by issues including the Covid pandemic and difficulties sourcing materials. This caused the cost of the Royal Palace Reborn project to rise from £20 million to £27.5 million. Norfolk County Council has now confirmed visitors will be able to see the work carried out in the 900-year-old building from Thursday, August 7. The Advertisement Read More On Tourism Construction delays However, construction was also delayed by the discovery of hidden Norman and Victorian features. The replacement of a leaking roof also caused significant delays to the process. This revamp includes restoring original floor levels in the Grade I listed keep, completed in 1121 by King Henry I, as well as recreating the great hall and the apartments of Norman kings. "We're incredibly excited to announce that Norwich Castle's Royal Palace will open on 7 August 2025," said a Norfolk Museums Service spokesperson said. Advertisement Most read in News Travel "Made possible thanks to National Lottery players, the redevelopment project Norwich Castle: Royal Palace Reborn has received £13m from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and support from Norfolk County Council. "The keep has been completely reimagined as part of the project, bringing Norman England vividly back to life." Inside multi-million pound upgrade for popular Scots tourist attraction New features Last year, the county council provided funds of £4.7 million, in addition to previous increases to the budget. A new gallery showcasing Medieval life is being created in partnership with the British Museum, and will see about 1,000 artefacts go on display. Advertisement Norfolk Museums Service also believes the castle will now be "the UK's most accessible", with step-free access from the basement up to the rooftop battlements. Upgraded visitor facilities, including a glass atrium, a new shop, a cafe, and learning space, opened last year as part of the project. General booking for tickets has already opened, with priority booking available for those with a Norfolk Museums Pass. Three other castles to visit in the UK THE UK is home to some amazing castles - here are some of the best: Bamburgh Castle This medieval fortress is built overlooking the stunning Northumberland coast, offering a wonderfully picturesque place to explore some of England's history. The castle itself is incredibly well preserved and dates all the way back to the 11th century. Kenilworth Castle Brits can find out about sieges and royal scandals at Kenilworth Castle, one of the most famous forts in the country. The medieval castle has had a fascinating history and was even transformed into an Elizabethan palace. Today its keep, its Tudor towers and Elizabethan garden are among the sites people can explore. Edinburgh Castle Dominating the skyline of the Scottish capital, Edinburgh Castle has been dubbed "defender of the nation" by locals. Today, the castle is still an active military base, with the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo remaining a highlight among visitors. It's also home to Scotland's Crown Jewels as well as other national treasures. Over the years, the location has served as a Victorian prison and a museum. Advertisement More on UK tourist attractions And Plus, the An 2 The 900-year-old castle has previously served as a Victorian prison Credit: Getty Advertisement
BBC News
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Norwich Castle's public reopening date is confirmed after revamp
The completion of a five-year renovation of a city centre castle has been confirmed with a date for its reopening to the started at Norwich Castle in the summer of 2020 but was delayed by issues including the Covid pandemic and difficulties sourcing building problems contributed to the cost of the Royal Palace Reborn project rising to £27.5m, from the initial estimate of £ Norfolk County Council has confirmed that visitors will be able to see the 900-year-old building's new look from Thursday, 7 August. The project's contractor had previously told the BBC that the work would be completed by the end of was also delayed by the discovery of hidden Norman and Victorian features, alongside a need to replace a leaking revamp includes restoring original floor levels in the Grade I listed keep and recreating the great hall and the apartments of Norman kings.A Norfolk Museums Service spokesperson said: "We're incredibly excited to announce that Norwich Castle's Royal Palace will open on 7 August 2025."Made possible thanks to National Lottery players, the redevelopment project Norwich Castle: Royal Palace Reborn has received £13m from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and support from Norfolk County Council."The keep has been completely reimagined as part of the project, bringing Norman England vividly back to life." The county council provided funds of £4.7m last year, in addition to previous increases to the budget.A new gallery of Medieval life is being created in partnership with the British Museum, which will see about 1,000 artefacts go on Museums Service also believes the castle will now be "the UK's most accessible" as there will be step-free access from the basement up to the rooftop visitor facilities, including a glass atrium and a new shop, cafe and learning space, opened last year as part of the booking for tickets will open on Thursday 24 July, with priority booking opening a week earlier for those with a Norfolk Museums Pass. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Castle confirms summer reopening after long delays
Renovations to Norwich Castle Museum are due to end, almost two years after a projected finish date. Work to refurbish the castle's Norman keep began in 2020 but was held up by the pandemic. Dr Tim Pestell, senior curator of archaeology, confirmed the finishing touches were being carried out and objects were ready to be installed in the museum for a summer 2025 opening. "It has been an absolute marathon," he said. Dr Pestell said the castle was only two months away from reopening. "We will open this summer. We are on the final stretch," he said. "The display cases are nearly all in now. We have builders doing their tidying up work, ready to come out, and we have the objects ready to be installed. They are being pinned on their backing boards." The project has faced many delays, including some caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. There were problems in obtaining steel, due to the war in Ukraine. In March 2022, the project's contractor Morgan Sindall told the BBC work would be completed by the end of 2023, but more problems arose. Hidden Norman and Victorian features were discovered and a leaking roof needed to be replaced, causing it to miss a revised target of reopening last summer. Named Royal Palace Reborn, the project has included restoring the original floor levels in the keep and recreating the great hall and the apartments of Norman kings. A new gallery of medieval life was also part of the plans. The castle has just acquired what is believed to be the largest collection of 7th Century gold coins found in Britain. The collection includes 129 coins, featuring 118 different designs, that were found by two metal detectorists in a west Norfolk field between 2014 and 2020. Dr Pestell said: "It will be an incredible relief to see that open. It has been an absolute marathon, as it has been for all of the members of our team, but it's going to be amazing. "It's going to be well, well worth the wait." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Museum work delay 'causing financial pressure' City castle reopening date pushed back again Norwich Castle
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Castle confirms summer reopening after long delays
Renovations to Norwich Castle Museum are due to end, almost two years after a projected finish date. Work to refurbish the castle's Norman keep began in 2020 but was held up by the pandemic. Dr Tim Pestell, senior curator of archaeology, confirmed the finishing touches were being carried out and objects were ready to be installed in the museum for a summer 2025 opening. "It has been an absolute marathon," he said. Dr Pestell said the castle was only two months away from reopening. "We will open this summer. We are on the final stretch," he said. "The display cases are nearly all in now. We have builders doing their tidying up work, ready to come out, and we have the objects ready to be installed. They are being pinned on their backing boards." The project has faced many delays, including some caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. There were problems in obtaining steel, due to the war in Ukraine. In March 2022, the project's contractor Morgan Sindall told the BBC work would be completed by the end of 2023, but more problems arose. Hidden Norman and Victorian features were discovered and a leaking roof needed to be replaced, causing it to miss a revised target of reopening last summer. Named Royal Palace Reborn, the project has included restoring the original floor levels in the keep and recreating the great hall and the apartments of Norman kings. A new gallery of medieval life was also part of the plans. The castle has just acquired what is believed to be the largest collection of 7th Century gold coins found in Britain. The collection includes 129 coins, featuring 118 different designs, that were found by two metal detectorists in a west Norfolk field between 2014 and 2020. Dr Pestell said: "It will be an incredible relief to see that open. It has been an absolute marathon, as it has been for all of the members of our team, but it's going to be amazing. "It's going to be well, well worth the wait." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Museum work delay 'causing financial pressure' City castle reopening date pushed back again Norwich Castle
BBC News
21-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Norwich castle confirms summer opening after years of delays
Renovations to Norwich Castle Museum are due to end, almost two years after a projected finish date. Work to refurbish the castle's Norman keep began in 2020 but was held up by the pandemic. Dr Tim Pestell, senior curator of archaeology, confirmed the finishing touches were being carried out and objects were ready to be installed in the museum for a summer 2025 opening. "It has been an absolute marathon," he said. Dr Pestell said the castle was only two months away from reopening. "We will open this summer. We are on the final stretch," he said."The display cases are nearly all in now. We have builders doing their tidying up work, ready to come out, and we have the objects ready to be installed. They are being pinned on their backing boards." The project has faced many delays, including some caused by the Covid-19 were problems in obtaining steel, due to the war in Ukraine. In March 2022, the project's contractor Morgan Sindall told the BBC work would be completed by the end of 2023, but more problems arose. Hidden Norman and Victorian features were discovered and a leaking roof needed to be replaced, causing it to miss a revised target of reopening last summer. Named Royal Palace Reborn, the project has included restoring the original floor levels in the keep and recreating the great hall and the apartments of Norman kings. A new gallery of medieval life was also part of the castle has just acquired what is believed to be the largest collection of 7th Century gold coins found in Britain. The collection includes 129 coins, featuring 118 different designs, that were found by two metal detectorists in a west Norfolk field between 2014 and 2020. Dr Pestell said: "It will be an incredible relief to see that open. It has been an absolute marathon, as it has been for all of the members of our team, but it's going to be amazing. "It's going to be well, well worth the wait." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
