This heritage project transformed a historic royal palace, creating the UK's most accessible castle by enabling visitors to access all five floors for the first time, from the basement to the battlements. A partnership with the British Museum created a medieval gallery showcasing more than 900 medieval artefacts and treasures. Visitors can explore carefully recreated settings that interpret a Norman royal palace and enjoy views across the city from the newly opened rooftop.
This ambitious conservation project carefully balances heritage protection with improved accessibility and public engagement. The judges recognised the extensive research, engineering and planning required to introduce new interventions within a nationally significant historic structure. The project enhances long-term resilience while enabling visitors to experience areas of the castle previously inaccessible to the public. Through sensitive adaptation and thoughtful engineering, it demonstrates how historic assets can be conserved and made relevant for future generations.