A pale stone medieval keep flying a Union Jack stands under a clear blue sky.
A person in a purple medieval robe holds a shiny metal helmet over a young child's head inside a castle.
Two museum visitors, one holding a child, stand before landscape paintings by Turner in gilded frames.
Museum

Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery

Norwich

With a National Art Pass you get

Free entry and free exhibitions
Art Fund Museum of the Year
Find out more
Museum of the Year 2026 finalist

One of the UK’s most dramatic cultural destinations, Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery combines a medieval keep with a world-class museum.

Originally commissioned by William the Conqueror after the Norman Conquest, Norwich Castle has since transformed into a major heritage site, museum and art gallery where you can immerse yourself in history and culture.

An authentic, accessible castle

Travel back to the 12th century and explore a medieval castle keep with authentic rooms and furnishings, where immersive storytelling brings history to life. Following a major redevelopment, the keep reopened in 2025. Visitors can access all five floors, from basement to battlements – making it the most accessible castle in the UK.

The story of medieval life

Dive into local history in a new permanent gallery telling the story of medieval life. From art and jewellery to weapons and scientific instruments, there are over 900 medieval objects on display from Norfolk Museums’ collections and on loan from the British Museum.

A Bayeux Tapestry-inspired textile

Marvel at a monumental tapestry inspired by the famous Bayeux Tapestry. Spanning 18 metres in length, a team of volunteers spent eight years creating the embroidered textile, narrating the story of two local rebellions against Norman rule.

Café and shop

Round off your visit with a stop at the Castle Café for a tasty treat or the shop for a souvenir to take home.

Exclusive benefit for National Art Pass holders

To celebrate being a Museum of the Year 2026 finalist, National Art Pass holders can get a free tote bag for first 500 visitors. Valid until 25 June.

Why you should go

  • Natural history and archaeology collections

  • Fine and contemporary art galleries

  • 900-year-old Castle Keep

Visitor information

Address

Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery

Castle Hill, Norwich, Norfolk, NR1 3JU
01603 493625

Opening times

Open daily, 10am - 5pm

Last admission 4.30pm

Art Fund members receive a free tote bag when visiting Norwich Castle during the Museum of the Year campaign on presentation of the National Art Pass. Limited to 500, one per visitor.

Visitor information