Morgan Sindall completes UK’s maximum obtainable fortress

Norwich Castle entrance [© Norfolk Museums Service] — Norwich Fort front [© Norfolk Museums Service]

Morgan Sindall started paintings on refurbishing Grade I-listed Norwich Fort for Norfolk Museums Provider in autumn 2019 and has observed prices upward thrust from an unique finances of £18m to £27.5m.

Totally reopening on Wednesday 13^th August, Norwich Fort now lays declare to being probably the most obtainable fortress in the United Kingdom. A brand new elevate guarantees wheelchair accessibility, accommodating the ones with particular instructional wishes and disabilities (SEND) on each and every ground, together with the rooftop battlements, whilst additionally supporting the get right of entry to wishes of households with pushchairs.

The fortress was once at the start commissioned by means of William the Conqueror and finished by means of his son King Henry I in 1121.

Lately, throughout the Caen limestone partitions, are new immersive customer points of interest that elevate the lid on medieval existence. A brand new medieval gallery showcases artefacts from around the medieval length – from the Norman Conquest to the reign of Henry VIII. Evolved in partnership with the British Museum, the everlasting Gallery of Medieval Existence explores 3 key facets of medieval society – employees, the the Aristocracy and the church. It’s the British Museum’s first medieval gallery out of doors of London, and its 7th partnership gallery to open round the United Kingdom.

Different options of the redevelopment come with a brand new front to Norwich Fort with a light-filled atrium adjoining to the Stay which opened in section one of the most redevelopment in July 2024. There may be, in fact, a brand new café, present store and further bathrooms.

A new glass bridge connects the Victorian museum to the Norman Keep, providing step-free access to five levels © Norfolk Museums Service — A brand new glass bridge connects the Victorian museum to the Norman Stay, offering step-free get right of entry to to 5 ranges © Norfolk Museums Provider

A brand new glass bridge connects the Victorian museum to the Norman Stay, offering step-free get right of entry to to 5 ranges © Norfolk Museums Provider

British Museum director Nicholas Cullinan stated: ‘Norwich Fort Stay was once probably the most impressive medieval palaces in Europe, so I will be able to bring to mind not more becoming position for the British Museum’s first medieval partnership gallery to be hosted.

“We’re in point of fact proud to be a part of this transformative mission, which restores the Stay to its former glory. It’s been superb to collaborate so carefully with Norfolk Museums Provider, and to enrich their nationally important collections with quite a lot of gadgets from our assortment, on longer term mortgage.”

Cllr Kay Mason-Billig, chief of Norfolk County Council, stated: “Somebody who has visited the Stay at Norwich Fort in the past and now comes to look this glorious redevelopment will probably be amazed. It now seems to be and feels just like the medieval fortress it as soon as was once following a painstaking and original redevelopment. Multisensory components and interactive reveals additionally convey medieval Norwich to existence, fostering a deeper connection to the previous for guests of every age. We’re so proud to have created such an obtainable customer appeal providing impressive perspectives throughout our superb town, and to have labored with such a lot of supportive companions to release the biggest heritage construction mission opening in the United Kingdom this 12 months.”