Tamworth Castle to get £1.7m for urgent repairs

Tamworth Council was placed on Arts Council England's at-risk register last year

Tamworth Castle in Staffordshire is set to receive £1.7m of grant funding for urgent repairs and improvements.

Arts Council England's Museum and Development Fund has allocated the funds as part of almost £25m funding for 29 museums nationwide.

In the Midlands, more than £5 million has been awarded across four museums.

Tamworth Castle was originally built in the 1080s, and in its most recent form is a museum showcasing the building's 900 years of history - including items from the Anglo-Saxon Staffordshire Hoard.

The money will allow Tamworth Borough council, the castle's owners, to make urgent repairs and ensure it remains safe for the public to visit.

Last year it was announced that the castle had been added to Historic England's at-risk register due to structural instability.

Repairs to the castle's curtain wall took place in 2023, and last year repairs were carried out on the bandstand in the castle grounds.

Peter Knott, Midlands area director at Arts Council England, said: "We want people across Tamworth and beyond to experience, enjoy, discover and learn from our fantastic regional museums and galleries."

He added: "We're pleased to be supporting Tamworth Castle to make vital building improvements to protect the castle and its collections for future generations."

Councillor Lewis Smith from Tamworth Borough Council said the grant would enable urgent repairs throughout the building.

"This essential work will make sure our heritage attraction remains safe to the public, allowing our great monument to continue standing proud as a huge part of Tamworth's rich history," he said.