Access facilities

External lift refurbishment

We are carrying out repairs to the external lift between Castle Gardens and Castle Mound, starting on Monday 18 March.

There is step-free access to the Castle Mound through the Castle Gardens, Farmers Avenue or Castle Mall.

These works are expected to be completed by early summer 2019. We apologise for any inconvenience during this time.

Email: museums@norfolk.gov.uk

Parking

There are designated parking spaces for Blue Badge holders close to the Norwich Castle’s main entrance. If you require further guidance please contact Norwich Castle Building Services on 01603 495889.
The closest car park is situated in Castle Mall shopping centre; levels K-N offer the shortest route to Norwich Castle. For information about all car parks in the city, go to the Visit Norwich website.

Admission

Visitors with access issues may bring a companion into Norwich Castle free of charge.

Norwich Castle Museum: Visual Story

For a visual guide to Norwich Castle please see the Visual Story. This can be downloaded in a Word format before your visit and edited to suit your own requirements.

Introduction films

In the Cinema Room, off the main entrance/Rotunda corridor, there are two films introducing Norwich Castle. These films have audio commentary and are BSL signed.

Hearing loops

There are hearing loops in the Castle shop, on the main entrance and in our auditorium.
Portable hearing loops are available for tours and gallery talks.

Assistance dogs

Assistance dogs are welcome in Norwich Museums

Wheelchair hire

There is a ‘non-self propelling’ wheelchair for use when visiting Norwich Castle. Please contact Building Services on 01603 495889 to check availibility.

Print/text size

There are large print labels in many galleries and magnifying sheets are available on request from the main entrance desk.

Light levels

For conservation purposes light levels are kept low in certain galleries or displays. Hand held torches are available on request from the main reception desk.

Accessible toilet facilities

Main Entrance/Rotunda Corridor - large unisex accessible toilet with a large changing table.
Victorian Toilets either end of Special Exhibition Gallery – male and female accessible toilets
Picnic Room (see wheelchair access notes) – unisex accessible toilet

Wheelchair access

There is no wheelchair access to the dungeons or battlements and, due to fire regulations, restricted access to the Keep and Rotunda first floor. The two films in the cinema room contain highlights of these areas.

Heavy doors

There are doors to all exhibition areas which are kept closed to maintain a constant environment for the paintings. If you need assistance with entering or leaving these galleries please ask a member of staff.

Gallery facilities

View the Norwich Castle Floor Plan.

Decorative Arts gallery

Braille labelled raised tiles
Magnifying glass over stump work
Braille labelled ‘tactile jewels’
Braille labelled Art motifs

British Masters (Cotman) gallery

Norwich School video with audio track
Cotman’s Trunk - a tactile painter’s box
Companion Notes are available for selected paintings. These can be found in holders at the entrance to this gallery.

Landscape and Nature (Crome) gallery

Norwich School video with audio track
Brass plates on colouring table showing typical Norwich School scenes
Companion Notes are available for selected paintings. These can be found in holders at the entrance to this gallery.

Ted Ellis gallery

Braille labelled bird sounds

Natural History gallery

Interactive learning points with touch, smell and audio
Braille labelled Please Touch replica objects
Braille labelled folder of raised images

Norfolk Regiment displays

Sound shower

Egyptian Gallery (at entrance to gallery)

Raised profile map

20th Century Painters gallery

Braille labelled raised tile for Alfred Munning’s Sunny June

Boudica Gallery

Boudica video with audio track