The castle of Guillaume the conqueror in Norwich in eastern England reopened to the public on August 13, 2025 after five years of work, for a total amount of 32 million euros. This reopening marks the culmination of the “Royal Palace Reborn” project. The main objective of the project is to return the architecture of the dungeon as in 1121, while ensuring optimum accessibility, especially for people with reduced mobility.
The site was carried out by the FEILDEN+MAWSON agency, in collaboration with numerous heritage specialists. Funding was mainly provided by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Norfolk County Count.
Among the new features for visitors, the dungeon now has five levels accessible by elevator, with the reconstruction of medieval floors and the development of the large room, the royal chamber and the chapel. The partnership with the British Museum allowed the creation of the first permanent medieval gallery outside London, welcoming nearly 1,000 artifacts. Immersive devices complete the offer.
New reception hall of the Château de Norwich.
© FEILDEN+MAWSON
The site was marked by several technical constraints: the discovery of hidden architectural elements, the need to fully replace the coverage of the roof, as well as the impact of the health crisis linked to the COVVI-19 and the war in Ukraine on the supply, generating delays and an increase in costs. These unforeseen events have led to repeated postpones.
Commanded after the Norman conquest, the castle was completed under Henri Ier in 1121. It then symbolized the royal power in East Anglia. He served as a prison from 1220 to 1887, before becoming a museum in 1894. The site now houses important regional collections, including archeology.
