Exciting plans in place for future of Tamworth Castle

Exciting plans are being developed for Tamworth Castle which will enable the historic venue to come back stronger next year, despite the ongoing impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Unfortunately, Tamworth Castle is currently unable to reopen to the public under local Tier 3 ‘Very High Alert Level’ restrictions, which replaced the national lockdown as of December 2.

As the castle was due to close at the end of December for its usual winter shutdown, and also to prepare for the launch of the brand new Battle and Tribute exhibition next year, it will now remain closed until the spring.

Ongoing work to create a brand new Anglo-Saxon gallery on the top floor, which is now nearing completion, and a recent £250,000 Government grant, means the future of Tamworth Castle looks bright, despite this year’s challenges.

The most recent injection of funding from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund to protect our cultural institutions, will enable the castle to modernise the way services are provided to the community, visitors and schools.

It will be used to create a new augmented reality trail, develop an online educational programme and start the process of digitalising the entire castle collection so it too can be made available online.

At the same time, working is continuing to transform the top floor of the castle into a new £768,000 ‘Battle and Tribute’ exhibition, including the creation of a mead hall, an immersive combat film experience and a unique touch-table strategy game.

The exhibition will bring the area’s rich Anglo-Saxon history to life, including the role of our famous warrior queen, Aethelflaed, and will feature even more pieces of the Staffordshire Hoard.

Battle and Tribute has been made possible thanks to a grant of £499,900 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, with the remainder of the cost being provided by Tamworth Borough Council, the Ready to Borrow Scheme supported by the Arts Council England and Friends of Tamworth Castle.

Cllr Jeremy Oates, Tamworth Borough Council’s Cabinet member for Heritage and Growth, said: “Like all cultural institutions across the country, Tamworth Castle has suffered at the hands of the coronavirus pandemic and not being able to open due to the ongoing local restrictions is the latest blow.

“However we will use this time to get stuck in to some really exciting projects that will help the castle to continue to meet the expectations of modern audiences and protect this jewel in the town’s crown long into the future. This will include new digital services and a greatly enhanced visitor experience thanks to the new gallery and the augmented reality trail.

“Staying closed for the next few months gives the staff chance to carry out some essential repairs and maintenance, as well as furthering these new projects and working with contractors to finalise the Battle and Tribute gallery.

“Assuming the situation with the pandemic eases at the start of next year, the castle will be back, ready to welcome visitors with some exciting new changes.”

In the meantime, people can stay up to date with all the progress - and enjoy the antics of a pair of naughty elves who have broken into the castle – by following Tamworth Castle on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.