Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery Shortlisted for the World’s Largest Museums Prize

Have You Heard the News? Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery Shortlisted for the World’s Largest Museums Prize 

by Katie Thompson

Norwich is no stranger to being the underdog- be it football, nightlife (Gonzos Two Room, we’re looking at you) and now, Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery. 

You may think it strange that a 900-year-old landmark such as this could ever be called an underdog- it hosted Henry I during Christmas in 1121 after all, yet as a finalist for Art Fund’s prestigious Museum of the Year Award, Norwich Castle is up against none other than The National Gallery, V&A East Storehouse, The Box in Plymouth and Cambridge’s Fitzwilliam Museum. Quite the line-up! 

This is a prize not to be sniffed at. For starters, it’s the world’s largest museum prize. Secondly, the winner will receive £120,000 and all the possibilities that come with it.

To us Norwich and Norfolk natives, Norwich Castle’s nomination may come as no surprise. Especially as it comes hot on the heels of The Sunday Times naming Norwich the Best Place to Live in the UK for 2026. But what is it that really makes this icon stand out? 

Well, The Sunday Times highlighted Norwich’s creativity, “historic character…and liveability”, all things that can be attributed to Norwich Castle following its £27.5 million redevelopment. 

Let’s start at the bottom and work our way up- from basement to battlements to be more precise. Today, Norwich Castle is the UK’s most accessible– forget Windsor, Warwick and Edinburgh, this is an attraction that truly embraces every visitor, whether you’re a wheelchair user, have a visual impairment or prioritise tactility and interactive experiences.  

Enter step-free from Castle Gardens via the lift (or Farmers Avenue across the bridge) and into Norwich Castle’s modern glass atrium, where light pours in and offers views of the once-hidden eastern wall. From here, you can take a second lift and walkway (with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out on to the castle and city beyond) into the Keep. 

Inside this impressive Norman structure, original floors and walls have been reinstated, immersing you in the life of a medieval royal palace. Everything has been expertly researched and accurately reproduced.  

Take a seat in the authentically recreated throne before exploring further rooms with ornate decoration, rich jewel-toned textiles and even an extension of the Bayeux Tapestry depicting the feat of young Emma de Gauder (hand embroidered by volunteers over eight years, taking 25,000 to 35,000 hours of work). Of course, there’s the obligatory royal dress-up (one for the big kids too), as well as a carefully crafted physical Braille map of the museum. 

Then it’s time for the main event- an immersive audio-visual projection animating the walls of the Great Hall. Imagined in the style of medieval art, see Norwich Castle come to life, from a wooden fort to the strong stone Keep we know today. Our top tip? Watch from the mezzanine for a bird’s eye view of the action. 

Below is The Gallery of Medieval Life, curated in partnership with none other than the British Museum. Shining a light on over 900 original medieval objects from the Norman conquest in 1066 to the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 1530s, the gallery is split into three sections- those who worked, fought or play. Expect to see exquisite paintings, sparkling jewellery, regal robes and even imposing armour. Nearby, an elegant light installation illuminates the curved silhouette of the thick arches that once stood on this floor, while shimmering lights imitate the flow of water to highlight the old well- a memorable feature for locals young and old.

And that’s without forgetting the museum’s former Victorian prison galleries, transformed into fascinating displays spanning 1000 years of local history. Think fiery Iceni warrior Boudicca, Anglo-Saxon treasures, fascinating natural history and beautiful arts and crafts, including the world’s largest collection of the Norwich School of Artists. Plus, every few months, Norwich Castle’s main gallery showcases exciting exhibitions of contemporary and fine art. Previous shows include JMW Turner, Colin Self and Roger Ackroyd.

Above it all? The battlements. Where once you had to book a special tour to see these wonderful views, now they’re accessible to all- for the first time in over nine centuries no less- thanks to a minimalist new staircase and convenient wheelchair lift. Beneath the flag flying above, soak in panoramic views of Norwich and the county beyond. From our bustling medieval streets to the multi-coloured rooftops of Norwich Market, two cathedrals and fringes of the Broads National Park. Imagine this same sight 900 years ago. Minus a few buildings, the city’s essence is the same- buzzing, creative and proud. 

Art Fund highlights Norwich Castle as “one of the UK’s most dramatic cultural destinations” thanks to its storytelling, “authentic sense of life” and “world-class museum”. There’s no doubt that Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery has the power, friendliness and innovation to be awarded Art Fund’s Museum of the Year prize. 

2027 is The Year of The Normans but don’t wait to visit, grab a ticket now and see for yourself what all the fuss is about. 

Norwich Castle is open daily from 10am – 5pm. Tickets from £15.30 for adults, £13.05 for children- book in advance online for the best prices. Twilight tickets available one hour before closing, £2.50. 

Discover more about the incredible feat of Emma de Gauder with Daisy Henwood’s poem In 1075, Emma de Gauder Held This Castle Against the King.