Feilden+Mawson was appointed in 2017 as architects to the Norwich Castle Keep: Royal Palace Reborn project, which aimed to refurbish the Grade I listed Castle Keep. The Keep is the home of Norwich Castle Museum, the purpose of the refurbishment was to support the long-term beneficial use of the building by creating an enhanced visitor experience and venue.
It was an architecturally and archaeologically complex building to refurbish due to the many layers of historic fabric. Due to the sensitivity of the site, we worked closely with Historic England, representatives from Norwich City and Norfolk County Council, and historians throughout the project to inform our work, and achieve their buy-in for this ambitious scheme. Our careful and informed approach to the project meant that we have been able to achieve several beneficial changes to the building which have been recognized as heritage gains to the built heritage asset as well as a major public benefit.
Improving inclusive access was always a primary objective of the project. We designed a new bridge that provides a necessary link between the reinstated principal floor and the museum’s 1960s block, to greatly enhance fire safety, inclusive access, and enable higher visitor capacity. We also improved wayfinding and flow by forming a new main entrance and reception area for the Castle Museum and creating separate entrances for school parties and weddings, which often congest the main entrance space.
Furthermore, the design provides access for all to the previously inaccessible battlement walks via a new lift and viewing platform. All visitors can experience the relationship between the Keep and the city around it in a way that has not been experienced in hundreds of years. This is the first project in this country to provide wheelchair access to castle battlements which will be a major public benefit.
Awards
Project of the Year and Heritage category award - RICS Eastern Region Awards 2026
Restoration or Conservation Project of the Year - Museums + Heritage Awards 2026
Sir Bernard Feilden Award - Norwich and Norfolk Design and Craftsmanship Awards 2025
Link here to watch The Castle: Rebuilding History | Stream free on Channel 4.
Link here to Feilden+Mawson Partner Erin Davidson's article 'Norwich Castle, A Royal Palace Reborn: Inception, Design and Investigation'.
Link here to Dezeen article 'Feilden and Mawson completes restoration of 12th-century Norwich Castle'.
Link here to Architecture Today article 'Norwich Castle Keep'.
Images of Norwich Castle Keep by Matt Smith Architectural Photography and Norfolk Museums Service.
Images of The Percival at Norwich Castle by Sarah Toon.
