14/05/2026
🎺 FANFARE PLEASE 🎺
Norwich Castle: Royal Palace Reborn has won 'Restoration or Conservation Project of the Year' in the 2026 Museums + Heritage Awards!
The judges said: "A six-year restoration of a nationally significant Norman keep that has not only preserved an extraordinary building but fundamentally reimagined how people experience it. From accessible roof battlements to a community-made tapestry, it is bold, joyful and deeply ambitious."
Although not everyone involved could be depicted in one photograph, shown here are: joiner Stephen Beatty , Dr Robin Hanley Assistant Head of Norfolk Museums Service, Feilden + Mawson Architect and Managing Director Erin Davidson , Project Assistant Curator at Norfolk Museums Service Dr Agata Gomólka, Senior Curator of Archaeology at Norfolk Museums Service Dr Tim Pestell, Blacksmith from Holkham Forge Roger Foyster , Project Officer at Norfolk Museums Service Jenny Caynes, Conisbee Engineer Tom Lefever and Blacksmith from Holkham Forge James Spedding. Absent from this photo call: Project Manager for Norfolk Museums Hannah Jackson, Project Curator Andrew Ferrara and our fabulously talented team of Tapestry and Textiles Volunteers.
Thanks to the National Lottery players through The National Lottery Heritage Fund , as well as support from Norfolk County Council , we were able to return Norwich Castle to its 1121 glory.
Thanks also to Arts Council England , Art Fund , Norwich City Council , East Anglia Art Fund and The British Museum