Norwich Castle in Norfolk, England, has officially reopened to the public following an extensive restoration of its 12th-century keep by British architecture studio Feilden and Mawson. The project, which adds contemporary glazed elements to the Grade I-listed building, aims to modernize the historic structure while preserving its medieval character and improving visitor accessibility.
Feilden and Mawson focused on making the castle spaces easier to navigate for modern visitors while maintaining deep respect for the building's rich history. The Norman castle was originally constructed between 1095 and 1110 at the request of William the Conqueror, serving as a symbol of Norman power in England. The keep later functioned as a county jail during the 1300s before being transformed into a museum in the 1880s.
The restoration project, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Norfolk County Council, involved returning the castle keep's floor levels to their original 900-year-old layout. The architects added period-appropriate furnishings designed to evoke what the medieval royal setting would have looked like during its heyday. The keep's main level, located on the third floor, contains historically significant spaces including a chapel, the king's chamber, and the Great Hall.
One of the most notable additions is an enclosed glass and timber bridge at the third-floor level, which connects the historic keep with the castle's 1960s extension. This modern intervention demonstrates the careful balance between contemporary functionality and historical preservation that characterizes the entire project. A new gallery space, created in partnership with the British Museum, wraps around a mezzanine level and displays over 900 medieval artifacts, providing visitors with an immersive historical experience.
To improve accessibility throughout the building, the architects installed both a staircase and an elevator system that provides access to all floor levels in the keep, including the rooftop battlement. This allows visitors of all mobility levels to experience the full castle, from ground level to the commanding views from the medieval fortifications above.
"Our role was to technically deliver detailed elements using modern materials and construction methods, while ensuring they faithfully reflected the look, feel, and craftsmanship of the Norman period," explained Erin Davidson, a partner at Feilden and Mawson. "It was a careful balance of precision, innovation, and deep respect for the original fabric, bringing the spirit of the medieval castle to life for contemporary audiences."
The restoration also included the construction of a new entrance space built adjacent to the keep, designed to blend seamlessly with the historic building. This addition features a glazed atrium that floods the space with natural light. The new structure houses multiple visitor amenities across its three floors: a museum shop on the ground floor next to the atrium, a cafe on the first floor, and an education space on the second floor.
Beyond the interior modifications, Feilden and Mawson undertook significant structural repairs to preserve the castle for future generations. The team restored the keep's roof, repaired the original Caen limestone walls, and reinforced the overall structure. The rooftop battlement was made fully accessible to visitors, offering panoramic views of the surrounding Norfolk countryside.
Davidson further emphasized the project's broader goals: "Our aim was to create a seamless dialogue between the old and the new, introducing modern interventions like the lift, new circulation routes, and rooftop terrace in a way that enhances access, interpretation, and visitor experience while remaining deeply respectful of the castle's medieval fabric. The new entrance, education space, and bridge not only open up the site physically, but also symbolically, inviting broader audiences to engage with its rich history in fresh, meaningful ways."
This restoration joins other significant castle preservation projects across the United Kingdom. Recent similar work includes Hugh Broughton Architects' restoration of the 800-year-old Clifford's Tower in York, which featured the addition of a timber viewing deck, and Niall McLaughlin Architects' addition of a larch tower entrance to Auckland Castle. These projects demonstrate the ongoing commitment to preserving Britain's medieval heritage while making these historic sites accessible and engaging for modern visitors.
