Castle delighted at visitor numbers since reopening

Before the closure of the Keep, the castle had about 200,000 visitors a year

More than 110,000 people have visited a medieval castle in the first three months since it reopened following a £27.5m revamp.

Norwich Castle welcomed people back on 7 August after construction work started in 2020 to refurbish the Norman Keep.

During the school summer holidays, Norfolk Museums Service said more than 42,000 people visited.

Dr Robin Hanley, assistant head of Norfolk Museums Service, said: "It's been a complex and lengthy project... we are delighted to see visitors really enjoy what we've created."

The revamp featured a new glass atrium, shop, cafe and learning space and its progress was featured in a Channel 4 documentary by Norwich company Eye Film which was narrated by Norfolk boy Stephen Fry.

In the years leading up to the refurbishment work, between April 2016 and May 2017 some 205,223 visitors were recorded, which rose to 222,260 the following year.

When the museum and art gallery, which is part of the castle complex, was reopened after the lockdowns, it saw 120,000 visitors a year.

The Royal Palace Reborn project was delayed by numerous issues including the Covid pandemic and supplies of steel disrupted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The total cost of the project came to £27.5m, about £7.5m more than the original estimate.

Dr Robin Hanley says getting the castle to the point of opening has been a "really challenging journey"

Dr Hanley said it has been fantastic to welcome so many visitors.

"A lot of people are coming to see what we have done to the building in terms of recreating those Norman interiors and recreating the Norman spaces such as the great hall and king's bed chamber and the chapel," he said.

"We know a lot of people are coming to see the British Museum Partnership gallery.

"It's been a really challenging journey and it was all about doing justice by this fantastic heritage asset... putting it rightly on the national and international stage."

The progress of the castle was captured in a Channel 4 documentary which was narrated by Stephen Fry

Kay Mason Billig, leader of Norfolk County Council, which runs the castle, said: "To welcome over 110,000 visitors in just three months is a testament to this extraordinary project.

"Norwich Castle isn't just a local landmark, it is a world-class heritage attraction."