Information about the history of the Norwich castle will be posted here.
Norwich castle, museum & art gallery – a great day out for the whole family
Situated on a picturesque hill amongst the beautiful countryside in the county of Norfolk, Norwich Castle provides an intriguing look at our medieval heritage and an all round great experience for the whole family.
The castle was originally founded by William the Conqueror at some point between the years 1066 and 1075, just under a millennium ago. It has seen many modifications and repairs over the years due to its high historical importance, visitors can tour many different sections of the Norwich Castle on days out.
The interior of Norwich Castle is refurbished to some extent, and contains helpful and informative signage and an electronic system at many of its top exhibits and attractions – giving further insight into their nature and history.
A wealth of art and history
Visitors to Norwich Castle can expect to be amazed by the wealth of art on show in the on-site galleries. The items range from medieval paintings and jewelry to decorative plates and vases, testaments to the skill of the craftsmen that worked in and around the castle.
The Castle’s fine art gallery is also something of note, playing host to many 17th-20th century paintings, including some exquisite English water colour paintings, a good selection of modern British art, and several impressive Dutch landscapes.
A large collection of historical exhibits can also be found within the castle’s walls. These artifacts vary in type, ranging from Anglo Saxon weapons and tools to Viking clothes and early boat designs. The collection is sure to entertain for a good amount of time before moving on to other parts of the castle.
Going back in time
Visitors who are looking for a more vivid experience can choose to take separate tours of otherwise inaccessible areas of Norwich Castle. Including the Battlements and the dungeon.
Touring the Battlements of Norwich Castle is a unique experience, each tour group is guided by a member of staff who is able to answer questions and give insight into different parts of the area, which makes for an exciting journey. Stand and look far down at the serene Norfolk countryside from the archer posts in the battlements, an exhilarating experience.
The Norwich Castle dungeons are dark and eerie. As with tours of the battlements each group is given a tour guide to make sure any questions are answered, and also that nobody wanders off. The dungeon tour lasts around half an hour and visitors will have a chance to see the different types of cells where the prisoners of the castle would have been held.
Due to its large historical importance, Norwich Castle is listed as a ‘Scheduled Monument’. This means that no unauthorized changes may be made to the structure, interior, or surrounding area of the castle without prior permission from a governing body. This protection has helped to better preserve the original experience of the castle for visitors and locals.
You only have to look around the knotted Norfolk countryside to see the importance that fortifications like Norwich castle had to the defense of Medieval Britain against various war machines of the past. Many such structures were erected but few remain in viewable condition, and we are fortunate to still be able to visit such an amazing historical site today.
Opening Times
Low Season: 1 April – 26 June, 3 October – 1 July 2012
Mon – Sat: 10am – 4.30pm
Sun: 1 – 4.30pm
Peak Season: 27 June – 2 October
Mon – Sat: 10am – 5pm
Sun: 1 – 5pm
Norwich Castle is closed between 24 – 27 December 2011 & 1 January 2012
Telephone:
General Enquiries – 01603 493625 (Mon – Fri)
General Bookings and Information – 01603 495897
School Bookings – 01603 493636
24hr Information – 01603 493648
Fax: 01603 493623
Website: Norwich Castle
