£1 Million Bid Success for Tamworth Castle

In April 2009 Tamworth Castle was awarded £121,900 by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to develop a project to enhance visitor displays, conserve the building and allow more people to access and experience Tamworth’s past.

The culmination of this development stage was a second round application to HLF requesting funds for the delivery of the final project work. To learn more about the development stage of the project click here. (new page)

Tamworth Castle is pleased to report we have been successful in securing funding to complete this project. The final amount awarded to Tamworth Castle by the Heritage Lottery fund is £876,200.

Additional funds for the £1.1 million project are from Tamworth Borough Council (£275,450) and the Friends of Tamworth Castle (£10,000). The final stage of the project is expected to take three years to completion estimated to be in mid 2014.

 To learn more about the Heritage Lottery Fund click here (website) 

Out of the Bailey into the Keep - Accessing Tamworth’s Past
What changes will the project make?

Inside the Castle Keep

• We will make improvements to access which include re-levelling part of the courtyard and Norman Exhibition
• Improve toilet facilities including the installation of an easy access toilet.
• We will survey and record important features of historic buildings which increase our knowledge and improve management of the site.

Outside the Castle ·

• Heritage information panels in the Castle Bailey and on the Castle perimeter path will inform people of the early development of the Castle area.
• Sympathetic fencing will be installed around the base of the motte to secure the area and prevent damage. Weeds and Scrub vegetation will be removed. 
• Steps access across the motte will be reinstated, pathway on the motte will also be stabilised and reopened to improve the visitor experience and access to the Castle. 

Information and Learning 

•  New and updated displays and information in the courtyard, Norman Exhibition and ground floor buildings for visitors will improve their knowledge and enjoyment of these areas.
• Multimedia techniques and audio information will be introduced to the ground floor · Hands-on activities to the ground floor will make learning fun.
• A Medieval living history re-enactment will be developed within the Castle to enhance the current events programme.
• A Medieval drama based workshop for schools will be introduced

Participation and Consultation

• People will have the opportunity to get involved in the project as volunteers (click for further information) to deliver living history and guided tours
• We will consult with local people about the project and allow them to help make decisions about their local heritage.
• A Castle focus group and funding advisory panel will be established to allow people to participate in local heritage.

Aims of the Project

Tamworth Castle is the main focus of local heritage and provides the town with a sense of local pride and identity. It is a major asset to the local community and attracts visitors to the town. We aim to improve the physical and intellectual access to the site to allow as many people as possible to experience this unique monument. Tamworth Castle will enhance the areas approaching the castle so people will learn more about the link between the development of Tamworth Castle and Tamworth town.

The project will allow Tamworth Castle to manage the conservation of the Castle and motte preserving it for future generations. A Conservation Management Plan (click here to view a pdf document of the main plan) has been produced to assist us with this. In addition to the main plan a gazetteer (click here to view, new window) is included which outlines the individual components of the castle, their historical development, condition, significance and issues. 

We aim to allow people to become actively involved in their heritage and develop a greater understanding and appreciation of the Castle and Tamworth’s history.
Information about the project as it progresses will be found on these pages or if you require further information or have specific questions please email heritage@tamworth.gov.uk