First phase of £18m castle project to reopen

Robin Hanley hopes full work will be completed at Norwich Castle by the end of next year

Part of a 900-year-old landmark will reopen to the public following an £18m renovation.

Norwich Castle Keep has a new glass atrium, restaurant and education room, set to improve facilities for school and learning groups.

Work on the Grade I listed castle - known as the Royal Palace Reborn project - was designed to create an immersive experience of Norman living, boosted by money from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Robin Hanley, assistant head at the Norfolk Museums Service, said: "This is a significant milestone, so to be actually enabling visitors to come and enjoy these spaces - that's really special."

The new glass atrium will give visitors a brand new perspective of the Grade I listed Keep

Mr Hanley said the building was "iconic" for Norwich and Norfolk and the glass atrium roof would reveal new perspectives to visitors.

"From Monday we are opening our new Percival wing, which gives us the front door of the museum back which is fantastic, we will also have our new glazed atrium giving wonderful views up the face of the keep - a view people haven't seen for many years."

Renovation plans at the castle include a new restaurant and improvements to educational spaces

Work on the museum began in 2020 but a 2023 completion was pushed back due to delays and the pandemic.

Mr Hanley added: "This is a complex heritage building project and the challenges we've faced on this project are not unique to Norwich Castle.

"I think it reflects the fact that with a building that's been used for 900 years you will come across challenges.. that have placed pressure on the programme and inevitably on our budget."

He said the doors to the Keep itself could open by early 2025.

The Royal Palace Reborn project includes the renovation of the Grade I listed keep to create an immersive experience of Norman living