Feilden and Mawson completes restoration of 12th-century Norwich Castle

Norwich Castle in Norfolk has reopened following the restoration of its 12th-century keep by British architecture studio Feilden and Mawson, which added glazed elements to modernise the Grade I-listed building.

Feilden and Mawson aimed to make spaces easier to navigate for visitors while respecting the history of the castle, which was originally built between 1095 and 1110 at the request of William the Conqueror.

The Norman castle keep was used as a county jail in the 1300s and later transformed into a museum in the 1880s. Feilden and Mawson's intervention aimed to improve accessibility around the building and transform the interior to its original 900-year-old layout.

With funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Norfolk County Council, Feilden and Mawson restored the castle keep's floor levels to their original design and added furnishings to evoke what the medieval royal setting may have looked like.

The keep's main level is on the third floor and contains a chapel, the king's chamber and the Great Hall. Feilden and Mawson added an enclosed glass and timber bridge at this level, linking it with the castle's 1960s extension.

A gallery space created in partnership with the British Museum wraps around a mezzanine level, displaying over 900 medieval objects.

A staircase and elevator were installed to give access to all floor levels in the keep, including the rooftop battlement.

"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," said Feilden and Mawson partner Erin Davidson.

"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."

Designed to blend in with the historic building, a new entrance space was built next to the keep, illuminated by a glazed atrium.

A museum shop is located on the ground floor next to the atrium, a cafe is located above on the first floor, and the second floor contains an education space.

Feilden and Mawson also repaired the castle keep's roof, Caen limestone walls and structure.

"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," said Davidson.

"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."

Other castle restorations in the UK include the 800-year-old Clifford's Tower in York, which Hugh Broughton Architects updated by adding a timber viewing deck, and a larch tower entrance added to Auckland Castle by Niall McLaughlin Architects.

The photography is by Norfolk Museums Service.

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