What are the opening hours?

Monday 10am - 4:30pm Tuesday 10am - 4:30pm Wednesday 10am - 4:30pm Thursday 10am - 4:30pm Friday 10am - 4:30pm Saturday 10am - 4:30pm Sunday 1pm - 4:30pm

Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery

Name: Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery
Address: Castle Meadow, Norwich, NR13JU, GB
Telephone: +44 (0) 1603 493625
Price range: £
Rating: 4.4

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Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery

Built as a royal palace over 900 years ago, now part of Norfolk Museums Service. The medieval Castle building is currently closed for major redevelopment work.
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The museum and art galleries remain open, subject to temporary closures of some areas due to construction work. Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery is packed with treasures to inspire and intrigue visitors of all ages. One of the city’s most famous landmarks, it was built by the Normans as a Royal Palace 900 years ago. Now a museum and art gallery, it is home to some of the most outstanding collec

tions of fine art, archaeology and natural history. Part of Norfolk Museums Service. Please note that this account is monitored Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm so there may be a slight delay in our response outside of working hours.

07/12/2023

Have you had your first Quality Street of the festive season yet? This photo by husband and wife team Walter and Rita Nurnberg was taken at the Mackintosh-Caley chocolate factory in Norwich in 1958. The workers are packing 1/2lb boxes of Quality Street fresh off the conveyor belts - you can just see the famous packaging featuring Major Quality and Miss Sweetly on the table!

Did you know? The brand ‘Quality Street’ takes its name from a comedy play by J.M. Barrie (author of Peter Pan) set in the Regency period. Major Quality and Miss Sweetly are inspired by two of the play’s main characters.

See more photographs from the Mackintosh-Caley factory and two other Norwich industries on show in ‘Norwich Works: The Industrial Photography of Walter and Rita Nurnberg’ until 14 April 2024.

06/12/2023

Guess the movie! 📽️

Something about these two objects from our collection reminded us of a particular seasonal blockbuster film. Can you tell what it is? Here’s a clue: it was released ten years ago today! ❄️

This spectacular sparkly gown was made in Paris and dates from around 1909-1910. It has a long train and is entirely covered with sequins.

Our little snowman dates from around 1990 and is in fact a teapot!

04/12/2023

Back in October, the Norwich Castle Tapestry and Textile project gathered at the Castle to celebrate the wider textiles (and volunteers who have created them), which adorn the Keep, as part of the Royal Palace Reborn project.

We were given a sneak peek of the wall hangings, costumes, furnishings, and banners, which will fill the redeveloped Keep. A wonderful sight which gave a real sense of excitement for re-opening and the achievements of the volunteers. The gathering also gave opportunity to update on the progress of the textile projects.

Medieval costumes and dragon capes are getting the finishing touches, ready for visitors to fully immerse themselves in Medieval life and The Friends’ Tapestry itself is also nearing completion, with the first half now joined and stitched- no mean feat for a 19-meter-long tapestry!

The volunteers on this project have now completed over 24,000 hours in total (so far!), what an incredible achievement!

Photographs by Beth Moseley

02/12/2023

Amartey Golding Artist Workshop 'Britannia: Our Collective Memory': 1 week today!

Join acclaimed artist Amartey Golding for a special afternoon workshop event on 9th December exploring his new film, Britannia. The film represents a moving meditation on the artist’s English ancestry and is on show at Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery until 14th January.

For 'Britannia: Our Collective Memory, a workshop', Amartey will be joined by Dr Mark Hobbs (University of East Anglia (UEA)) and Dr Jan Pitman (Norfolk Museums Service) as they invite you to consider the broader context of the film’s message, in particular focussing on Norwich Castle as the current location for the work’s presentation.

There will be the opportunity to discuss Amartey’s work, explore the museum’s collections, share your thoughts, ask questions, and, of course, to watch the film.

When? Saturday 9th December, 1-4pm
Where? Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery

*Book Your £5 workshop ticket at the link below:

https://bit.ly/britanniafilm

Please note this event is for adults only. The film contains some scenes which contain non-sexual nudity, minor body wounds and taxidermy animals. Some of the discussions will include sensitive topics.

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Also available to book now:

Amartey Golding In Conversation
Wednesday 10th January, 6 - 7.30pm

Join Dr Rosy Gray, Curator of Modern & Contemporary Art for Norfolk Museums Service in conversation with Amartey Golding at Norwich Castle. The event will include a screening of Britannia, a discussion and a Q&A.

Norfolk Museums Service commissioned Britannia with additional support from Autograph and Film and Video Umbrella. The commission was made possible with support from East Anglia Art Fund and Arts Council England.

01/12/2023

This lovely object was found just a few miles east of Norwich in 1999. It's a 7th-century Saxon seal matrix that was originally the bezel of a signet ring which could be swivelled to reveal the other side. On one face, you can see two naked figures standing beneath a cross, whilst on the other, is the face of a queen surrounded by Frankish lettering - BALDE HILDIS.

Study of this object has associated it with Balthild, who was the wife and queen of Clovis II, king of Burgandy and Neustria (639-658). Balthild is known to have been Anglo-Saxon of elite birth but was sold into slavery to Erchinoald, the mayor of the palace of Neustria (located in modern-day northern France). Erchinoald had intentions to marry Balthild but she refused and went on to eventually marry Clovis II. She was reportedly very charitable with her wealth by founding monasteries and helping the poor. She also abolished the practice of trading in Christian slaves.

The seal matrix could have had served two purposes - One side used for official communications, whilst the other (presumably showing Balthild and Clovis in an erotic position) could have been used for those of a personal nature.

For more information about this find (NWHCM : 2000.42) and to explore many more objects from our collection, check out our dedicated collections website here : museums.norfolk.gov.uk/collections

30/11/2023

Join curator Dr Nick Warr (UEA) for a talk that explores the photography of Walter and Rita Nurnberg on Tuesday 12 December at 2.30pm. With a dramatic visual style influenced by European modernism, the Nurnbergs' photographs of Norwich factory workers offer a unique perspective on the city's manufacturing heritage, which you can explore at our current exhibition Norwich Works. This talk will explore how the Nurnbergs developed their technique and the fascinating story behind their marvellous images of a city at work.

Book tickets here : https://bit.ly/47oVz8n

Image: Walter & Rita Nurnberg, Stitching shoe linings, 1948 (Norfolk Museums Service)

29/11/2023

We're hosting another Quiet Hour between 12 and 1pm on Sunday 3 December for visitors who would prefer a quieter, more relaxed space. We'll be dimming the lights and reducing audio and video where we can, and there will also be a comfy area in case you need a few minutes out.

Quiet Hour may particularly suit visitors who are Neurodiverse and prefer a calmer sensory environment.

More information & to book: https://bit.ly/47wl5Jh
Short video on how to get here: https://youtu.be/Jfs6EqJypJM

28/11/2023

We do love our unusual teapots on display here at Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery. Check out this colourful Minton porcelain teapot from 1874 featuring a vulture and snake physically embroiled together!

27/11/2023

A new construction update for you all about shaping a new watertight roof!

With the winter weather heading our way, it’s great to see the extension to the entrance building getting a new lead roof. An extra floor has been added to this area to the south of the Percival building, and one floor higher than the Education Room level.

This space will ultimately house the new kitchen, which will serve the new first floor restaurant as well as the café in the Rotunda. Due to its proximity to the bridge across to the recreated room settings on the Keep’s principal floor, the kitchen is also perfectly placed to provide catering for events and venue hires within the Great Hall.

To install the roof, lead sheeting is carefully shaped over the main structure and a series of wood core rolls – essentially special shaped batons. The undercut to the base of the roll is designed to prevent wind lift. By carefully forming the lead around the structure in a cloak design, a watertight joint can be created – just what’s needed!

23/11/2023

We recently hosted a fantastic talk and book signing event presented by Dr David M.G. Waterhouse and Dr John A. Davies. They discussed their new book 'Exploring Norfolk's Deep History Coast' and the amazing archaeological and palaeontological discoveries of international significance in Norfolk. The book is now available to purchase from Norwich Castle gift shop and other reputable retailers.

22/11/2023

When they’re not looking beautiful gracing the walls of our galleries, this store is one of the places that some of our paintings get to hang out! We love how these racks almost become their own piece of abstract art, and you still can’t beat a traditional gold gilt frame.

If you can see a gap, it’s likely that the piece that was there is now on display somewhere in one of many rotating exhibitions within the 10 museums that are part of our Norfolk service. Did you know that Norfolk Museums Service holds over 37,000 pieces of Fine and Decorative Art? Paintings only make up a part of this collection, and you can take a closer look at these items via our website at: museums.norfolk.gov.uk/collections

You might discover a new artwork, object or historical fact. Why not let us know in the comments below if you find something you didn’t know was in the NMS collection?

16/11/2023

We're looking for a Building Services Assistant to work across our Norwich Museum sites. This post offers an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic team ensuring the safety and security of some of the city’s most iconic buildings. If you have a passion for culture and heritage and enjoy working as part of a busy team, then this could be the job for you.

Find out more and apply:

➡️ Building Services Assistant: https://bit.ly/40IjRI2

14/11/2023

Today is the 29th birthday of the ! 🎉

A very big , The National Lottery Players. Through the National Lottery Heritage Fund you're helping us make our 900 year-old Castle accessible from basement to battlements, so even more visitors can experience life in a Norman royal palace!

Here's a big thank you from our staff and volunteers who are working on the redevelopment, from construction to communications! 🤞

National Lottery Good Causes

13/11/2023

East Anglia is the background to some extraordinary medieval stories, two of which play out along the intricately-stitched Norwich Friends’ Tapestry: a unique tapestry for Norwich in the style of the famous example at Bayeux, created by a team of talented volunteers.

In last week's post we looked at the first of these, the tale of Hereward the Wake. Today we're exploring the second: the Revolt of the Three Earls. This is a classic story of a power play early in William the Conqueror's reign.

The key players are a pair of disgruntled nobles: Roger de Breteuil and Ralph de Guader, and Roger's sister Emma. Both men feel they have been wronged by William, having lost out on lands previously owned by their fathers. Our story begins when Ralph proposes to marry Emma, and petitions the King for permission to wed. King William, wary of noble families allying together and becoming too powerful, refuses to allow it. But 'love' finds a way: Ralph and Roger decide to go ahead with the wedding, and William is not best pleased (nothing survives of Emma's feelings on the matter).

The story culminates with a siege on Norwich Castle. Ralph de Guader has by this point escaped the country, leaving his new bride, Emma, behind. Aged just 16, Emma de Guader holds Norwich Castle against William's forces for three months and eventually negotiates safe passage back to her home in Brittany in exchange for her surrender.

In the final scene at the end of the Bayeux and Norwich Tapestries, William sits at peace on the throne. The Tapestry reads: “All noise of wars, thanks be to God, is quiet in the English lands”. William has proved his divine right as King through his ability to quell the rebellions under his rule.

Read the full story on our blog: https://bit.ly/3ZZ57nC

Supported by the Friends of the Norwich Museums, the tapestry is part of our National Lottery Heritage Fund redevelopment project.

12/11/2023

Today, we remember.

The fully unveiled Norwich War Memorial at The Guildhall on 9th October 1927.

General Sir Ian Hamilton presided over the memorial's unveiling on Sunday. The unveiling itself was performed by a local veteran, Bertie Withers, pictured. Withers was selected at random after candidates were solicited from the city's ex-servicemen who met four criteria: that they were natives of Norwich; had enlisted prior to the implementation of conscription in 1916; had served overseas; and had been permanently disabled as a result of their service.

In this image you can see the original inscriptions which read OUR GLORIOUS DEAD (above the stone) and THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE (on the stone itself). A further inscription in smaller font on the base of the stone was added at a later date: REMEMBERING ALSO ALL OTHERS OF THIS CITY WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIVES IN THE SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY along with the dates of the two world wars inscribed on the screen wall, either side of the stone.

11/11/2023

Today, we remember.

This photograph from the Royal Norfolk Regimental Museum collection shows the unveiling ceremony of the Norwich War Memorial at The Guildhall on 9th October 1927. The memorial initially commemorated the soldiers of Norwich who fell during the First World War. Later an inscription was added to commemorate those killed in the Second World War.

The Memorial, which is constructed from Portland stone, was designed by Sir Edwin L. Lutyens, one of the last of his memorials to be built in the UK. In the years following the end of the First World War, various schemes for a fitting memorial for Norwich had been proposed and abandoned. Charles Bignold, elected Mayor of Norwich in 1926, was determined to ensure the city had a war memorial before he left office. Bignold established the Joint Hospitals and War Memorial Appeal to raise funds for the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital and the Jenny Lind Children’s Hospital, as well as a physical monument. Lutyens was commissioned to design a cenotaph. As the monument didn’t have space to fit the names of all 3,544 of the city's war dead, Lutyens also designed the Norwich Roll of Honour which lists them individually.

Today, the memorial no longer resides at The Guildhall but instead at the dedicated memorial gardens close by in front of Norwich City Hall. Tomorrow, we will present the fully unveiled memorial from this day in 1927.

08/11/2023

Looking for something a bit different to do with your little ones this weekend or next week? We have a handful of spaces left for our monthly baby and toddler groups here at Norwich Castle. Join Snap the Dragon to get stuck in and explore our brand new exhibition Norwich Works in a playful, multisensory way!

Saturday 11 and Tuesday 14 November.

Book Snaplings (children aged 0-2) 10.15-11am
https://bit.ly/44zHxif
Book Snapdragons (children aged 2-4) 12.30 - 1.30pm
https://bit.ly/3YXTP2A

PLUS! If you come along this Saturday 11 November, there will be lots of fun and creative extra ways you can explore our Norwich Works exhibition with your little one at our monthly Early Years Saturday event! More details here - https://bit.ly/3Muiy9N

06/11/2023

If you've been following us for a while, you may already know about our spectacular Norwich Friends' Tapestry, which is being stitched by our amazing team of volunteers to adorn the walls of the recreated Great Hall when the Castle reopens next year. Using the original Bayeux stitch, our embroiderers are creating new panels telling East Anglian stories from the Norman period, designed by artist Fiona Gowen.

Over the next couple of weeks we'll explore the stories behind each panel, starting with the story of Hereward the Wake: an Anglo-Saxon nobleman and a leader of local resistance to the Norman Conquest of England. Our primary source is the 'Gesta Herewardi', likely written between 1109-1131.

Hereward is described in the Gesta as “stern, somewhat stout, moderate stature and sturdy of limb. His hair is yellow and he has large grey eyes and a beard". This makes him easy to spot in our tapestry - look out for his golden hair and beard! As a young man he was exiled from England by Saxon King Edward the Confessor. When he returned to England after the Norman conquest, he discovered his family lands had been confiscated and his family killed. It's said that he killed fourteen Normans at a feast in revenge. In 1070 he took part in a rebellion against Norman rule centered at Ely, which was at the time an island in the fenland. William the Conqueror led an army to Ely and after eight days they finally succeeded in taking the island. There are various versions of the end of Hereward's story, but the version we imagine William would choose to display in his Great Hall shows Hereward becoming a subject of the King, kneeling before him.

Read more on our blog: https://bit.ly/3RYU4cg

Supported by the Friends of the Norwich Museums, the tapestry forms a part of our National Lottery Heritage Fund redevelopment project.

05/11/2023

Remember, remember, the 5th of November,
Gunpowder, treason and plot ...

Today is Guy Fawkes Day or Bonfire Night and here we have a print of King James I by George Virtue. The history of this day dates back to 5 November 1605, when the gunpowder plot was foiled after Guy Fawkes was arrested guarding 36 barrels of gunpowder beneath the House of Lords. The intention was for the Catholic conspirators to assassinate protestant King James I and his parliament.

01/11/2023

This Sunday (5 November), we're hosting another Quiet Hour between 12 and 1pm for visitors who would prefer a quieter, more relaxed space. We'll be dimming the lights and reducing audio and video where we can, and there will also be a comfy area in case you need a few minutes out.

Quiet Hour may particularly suit visitors who are Neurodiverse and prefer a calmer sensory environment.

More info & book: https://bit.ly/47wl5Jh
Short video on how to get here: https://youtu.be/Jfs6EqJypJM

31/10/2023

x Halloween 🎃

It's the crossover we've all been waiting for. Which of these terrifying vessels would you choose for your afternoon tea?

🎃 This shiny silver-plated pumpkin-shaped pot dates from 1850 and is currently on display at Museum of Norwich at the Bridewell. We half expect a genie to pop out at any moment.

🕷️ Ceramicist and satirist Roger Law created this spooky teapot for an exhibition at Norwich Castle in 1995. It was designed as a visualisation of 'The Black Teapot', a phrase common in Victorian workhouses. When people died suddenly it was said they had been 'given the Black Teapot', implying a dose of poison in their tea.

🐈 This pot is shaped like a classic black cat, and was made by Wood and Sons, Staffordshire, in the 1930s-50s. Not very scary, but we wanted you to have one nice memory before you reach image 4.

👩 In our opinion, the scariest of the bunch: this moulded teapot in the shape of a woman is marked with the words "FYLL ME WYTH HOT WATER TO MAKE GOODE TEA". We're not in the habit of brewing tea at the command of strange women, but evidently someone in the past was braver than us because it's seen plenty of use!

30/10/2023

: Halloween Special!

This medieval cauldron was found on Bishopsgate in Norwich. While it may look just right for a witch's brew, it was probably used to prepare large batches of stew or broth for a family. Which is still potentially quite scary, depending on the chef. 👨‍🍳

It was found around 1860 during building work for new cottages and in 1865, Sir John Boileau, Vice President of the Institute for Archaeology, bought it for the museum’s collection.

26/10/2023

Join our learning team for some half term activities today (Thursday) and Saturday between 10am and 3pm. We have a range of offers for all ages, based around our new exhibition Norwich Works. These exciting, hands-on tasks include activities based around light, shadow, photography, and how we use our hands.

You can explore light, colour, sensory play, and even a cosy den in our early years area in the Coleman Gallery. We also have a shoe sorting activity set up based around Norwich's history as a hub for this industry!

Based in the Rotunda, we have a colouring station, and you can pick up a themed exhibition trail. Here, you can also print your own Cyanotype using images from Norwich Works (or your wonderful imagination!)

23/10/2023

“At last Norwich has a museum of which the citizens have every reason to feel proud!”

Today marks 129 years since we were officially opened on 23 October 1894 by the Duke and Duchess of York (the future King George V and Queen Mary). The occasion was marked with a banquet in the hall, attended by the great and the good of Norfolk including the Buxton, Colman and Gurney families.

When it first opened, three of the former prison cell blocks were dedicated to a vast collection of birds, while others housed art, geology and taxidermy specimens. The Castle itself exhibited archaeological, ethnographic and antiquarian collections. A recreational garden was at the centre of the complex, where the Rotunda stands today.

Enjoy a slice of cake in our honour today. See, history is fun! 🍰

Archive photographs, showing:
1. The opening of the museum in 1894, showing the Duke and Duchess of York on a raised platform in Norwich Castle surrounded by a crowd of well-dressed Victorians.
2. An art gallery with gilt-framed paintings hung in classic Victorian style, using as much of the wall as possible.
3. A gallery filled with taxidermied birds in wooden cases.
4. The inside of the Castle Keep with wooden display cases.
5. The garden at the centre of the museum with a fountain and paved walkways.

21/10/2023

OPENS TODAY! 📷

Our new exhibition, ‘Norwich Works: The Industrial Photography of Walter & Rita Nurnberg’, is on show now featuring over 130 original photographs alongside objects from Norwich’s industrial past and newly digitised archive film from the East Anglian Film Archive.

Between 1947 and 1961, husband-and-wife team Walter and Rita photographed workers at the Esdelle, Riverside and Chapelfield Works in Norwich in their distinctive and influential style. Using lighting techniques from Expressionist cinema Walter made dramatic portraits, while Rita’s skilful processing and printing created the stunning modernist images you see on display today.

A beautiful catalogue accompanying the show the in on sale now in our gift shop.

The exhibition is a partnership between Norfolk Museums Service, University of East Anglia (UEA) Norfolk Record Office and the East Anglian Film Archive (EAFA), supported by the wonderful East Anglia Art Fund.

Full details and booking: https://bit.ly/3X73Qts

20/10/2023

These beautiful Roman coins were found in a field in the parish of Deopham, near Wymondham in 1993. The coin hoard contained 26 gold solidi and 4 silver siliquae of the emperors Valens, Valentinian II, Magnus Maximus, Arcadius and Honorius, which dates the contents of this find between 350 AD-402 AD.

Among the individual examples shown, the first coin depicts Emperor Arcadius and was minted in Milan, 393-395 AD. The second coin depicts Emperor Honorius, which was minted in Constantinople, 394-395 AD.

For more information about this find (NWHCM : 1996.13) and to explore many more objects from our collection, check out our dedicated collections website : https://www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk/collections

16/10/2023

You might remember that in a previous post (https://bit.ly/3PTQ8qF) we shared our plans to relocate the Boardman staircase that leads into the Castle Keep, to follow the original layout of the Norman palace while retaining 19th century architect Edward Boardman's decorative stonework.

Well, we have an update on the work and it's all starting to come together! Our stonemasons have painstakingly removed and remodelled the 19th century stonework: each piece of the staircase was carefully taken out and small sections of new carved stone have been inserted to accommodate the change of orientation. The stair treads have been reinstated in their new location ahead of the re-worked handrail and balustrade being installed.

We've been filming the work as it progresses, so look out for a full before and after coming soon! 🎬

14/10/2023

Job alert! We're looking for a Communications Officer and a Commercial Development Manager to work across our ten museum sites (based here at Norwich Castle) and a Learning Assistant to work across our three Norwich museums.

Find out more and apply:

➡️ Commercial Development Manager: https://bit.ly/46wncMy
➡️ Communications Officer: https://bit.ly/3tssUjL
➡️ Learning Assistant: https://bit.ly/3PY8aIj

13/10/2023

Are you feeling lucky this Friday 13th?

This early-19th-century child's shoe was found under the floor of a cottage near Diss. The exact reason for concealing items such as shoes in the fabric of buildings is still unclear. One theory is that shoes were used as a fertility charm, while another suggests that they were a good luck charm to ward off evil beings like ghosts and demons! 👻

12/10/2023

Don't miss this! Fill your boots with Autumnal vibes at Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse this Sunday at Apple Day! 🍎🍏

09/10/2023

One of our least well-known treasures here at Norwich Castle is the sixteenth-century commonplace book of Henry Appleyard.

Commonplace books were a way to preserve information: a compilation of notes, scientific and biblical texts, transcribed legal documents and any other information that a family wanted to record. Their individual focus makes every commonplace book unique. This one was begun in about 1560 by the Appleyard family.

This fascinating book will finally be accessible to more people than ever before, thanks to a generous grant from the National Manuscripts Conservation Trust (NMCT). In this video, we follow the book's journey as it's conserved ready for display when the Castle Keep reopens in 2024.

Read more about the book itself here: https://bit.ly/46E4odM

07/10/2023

Opening in just two weeks! 📸

Norwich Works: The Industrial Photography of Walter & Rita Nurnberg

21 October 2023 - 14 April 2024

https://bit.ly/3X73Qts

06/10/2023

In popular culture the African campaigns of both World Wars are scarcely mentioned, overshadowed by the fields of Flanders and the beaches of Normandy. But the sacrifice made by the soldiers of the West African Frontier Force, who were uprooted from their communities and marched hundreds – sometimes thousands – of miles in the service of indifferent empires with little reward or recognition, is of equal importance and should be remembered.

In this blog, originally written for Black History Month 2020, we pay tribute to the immense contribution made by these soldiers and recognise the enormous obstacles and inequalities they faced because of their racial heritage.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3oXTxZJ

02/10/2023

Have you ever wondered how much Norwich Castle weighs? 🤔

From recent research we estimate the total mass of the stone Keep to be a whopping 8500 metric tonnes (8.5 million kg). By comparison, the ironwork on the Eiffel Tower is approximately 7300 metric tonnes!

01/10/2023

EXTERNAL LIFT CLOSURE 5 OCTOBER

Our external lift will be closed on Thursday 5 October while we remove the scaffolding following maintenance work. There is alternative step-free access to the Castle via Farmers’ Avenue.

We're sorry for the inconvenience.

30/09/2023

Opening today! 'Britannia' by Amartey Golding

This new film by acclaimed artist Amartey Golding is a meditation on his English ancestry inspired by the symbolic figure of Britannia.

The work offers a moment of reflection on our relationship with ourselves, our past and our environment, as it explores the impact traumatic periods of English history have had on those who survived them.

Golding invites us to consider Norwich Castle as the location for the work’s presentation, in a building, city, and region, which has borne witness to periods of conflict, in contrast to its use now as a museum, gallery and wedding venue.

Born in London, Golding often turns to his Anglo-Scottish and Ghanian ancestry, by way of a Rastafarian upbringing, as a point of departure for his art. Moving constantly around the country as a child, he was exposed to contrasting and often conflicting English communities. His fondness for these different worlds, and the sometimes invisible and unexpected ways in which they depended on each other, continues to inform his work today.

Britannia was commissioned by Norfolk Museums Service with additional support from Autograph and Film and Video Umbrella. The commission was made possible with support from Art Fund Supported using public funding by Arts Council England.

Content notice: the film contains some scenes which contain non-sexual nudity, minor body wounds and taxidermy animals.

Images: Stills from Britannia, courtesy of the artist.

29/09/2023

This sword from our collection is known as the Thorpe Falchion and dates to about 1320. It was found after the dredging of the River Yare at Thorpe St. Andrew in 1833. The sword remained well preserved because it was submerged in the river's mud for potentially hundreds of years, which helped prevent the metal from rusting away. The Thorpe Falchion is a very well-made, intricately decorated example with creatures or animals engraved on the pommel.

A falchion is a one-handed, single-edged sword which originated in Europe and was used in combat during the Middle Ages and Renaissance by peasants and knights alike. Falchions were ideal at cutting through light armour due to the extra weight at the point of the sword as well as being effective at slipping through gaps in the armour due to the blunt side having a sharpened edge towards the tip.

For more information about this artefact (NWHCM : 1833.57) and to explore many more objects from our collection, check out our dedicated collections website - https://bit.ly/3rwhKKb

Address

Castle Meadow
Norwich
NR13JU

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 4:30pm
Tuesday	10am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	10am - 4:30pm
Thursday	10am - 4:30pm
Friday	10am - 4:30pm
Saturday	10am - 4:30pm
Sunday	1pm - 4:30pm

Telephone

+44 (0) 1603 493625

Website

www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk

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Videos

Conservation of The Commonplace Book of Henry Appleyard

One of our least well-known treasures here at Norwich Castle is the sixteenth-century commonplace book of Henry Appleyard. Commonplace books were a way to preserve information: a compilation of notes, scientific and biblical texts, transcribed legal documents and any other information that a family wanted to record. Their individual focus makes every commonplace book unique. This one was begun in about 1560 by the Appleyard family. This fascinating book will finally be accessible to more people than ever before, thanks to a generous grant from the National Manuscripts Conservation Trust (NMCT). In this video, we follow the book's journey as it's conserved ready for display when the Castle Keep reopens in 2024. Read more about the book itself here: https://bit.ly/46E4odM

Opening in just two weeks! 📸 Norwich Works: The Industrial Photography of Walter & Rita Nurnberg 21 October 2023 - 14 April 2024 https://bit.ly/3X73Qts

The final bell is ringing for 'The Last Voyage of the Gloucester: Norfolk's Royal Shipwreck, 1682'. Don't miss your last chance to see this and other stunning finds from the wreck and hear the stories of those on board. Closes this Sunday, 10 September: https://bit.ly/BookLastVoyage

Join us on Saturday 19 August for a BSL tour of our exhibition 'The Last Voyage of the Gloucester: Norfolk's Royal Shipwreck, 1682'! The tour will run at midday and again at 3pm. Please note these tours will be in BSL only. 🎫 Book tickets: https://bit.ly/43RyatQ Transcript: Hello, my name is Daniel Jillings and I have been working with Norwich Castle to create two BSL tours of the Gloucester exhibition in the castle. In this tour, we will explore what happened with the Gloucester and why it sank, as well as looking at the stories and things found in the Gloucester, which is very interesting. Just to let you know, both tours will be in BSL only. There will be two tours on Saturday 19th August - 12:00 to 12:45 and 3:00 to 3:45. The ticket is £3.50 per person. I hope to see you there! Goodbye!

Early Years at Norwich Castle

See how we're supporting the journey of our youngest visitors, both now and in the future through our major redevelopment project! ✨ If you'd like to get involved with our Early Years sessions, head to our website to book your place at Snaplings and Snapdragons this autumn: https://bit.ly/3bfEjaZ

The Bigod Arch is one of Norwich Castle’s many architectural treasures! When the Castle reopens 2024, visitors will enter the Castle Keep through this elaborately carved entrance, just as visitors to the palace would have done 900 years ago. #NorwichCastle #NorfolkMuseums #CastleReborn #CastlesOfInstagram #Norman #NormanArchitecture #Bigod #BigodArch #CityOfStories #AFineCity #Museums

Who doesn't love a guide book? 📚 126 years ago Jarrold published our very first one, written by Thomas Southwell, which included a fold-out floor plan of the museum. There have been quite a few different versions over the years! Video description: A slideshow of photos of Norwich Castle guide books from 1896 to 2017. #NorwichCastle #NorfolkMuseums #CastleReborn #Castle900 #NorwichHistory #CityOfStories

This #TrafalgarDay we're thinking back to our 2017 exhibition 'Nelson & Norfolk', which brought together objects never before seen together in the same display, illuminating the complex and sometimes controversial life of Britain's foremost naval hero. Take a tour of the exhibition and see star objects here on out YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3G1ot14

Meet our amazing volunteer embroiderers, who are stitching a 19m long embroidery in the style of the Bayeux Tapestry! 🧵 This dedicated group of stitchers have been working on individual panels throughout lockdown, and recently we had the chance to bring the first nine of fourteen panels together for the first time! Watch the full video on our YouTube channel to learn more about the process and research behind the Norwich Friends Tapestry and hear from the people closest to it - the embroiderers themselves! 👉 https://bit.ly/3vsobLK

🎪 Roll up to the Troubadour Circus this summer! 🎪 » 12 FREE circus skills workshops » for ages 12 to 17 » 30 August to 30 September » led by award-winning tutors at The Oak Circus Centre Book today! http://ow.ly/3IVO50FFfjO