- Castle awarded VisitEngland quality accreditation for 11th year running
- Strong performance reflects ongoing commitment to high-quality visitor experience
- Accreditation recognises the castle as a key local attraction
Tamworth Borough Council is proud to announce that Tamworth Castle has once again retained their official approval as one of the best small visitor attractions in Staffordshire, following its latest assessment by VisitEngland, achieving the Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Service accreditation for the 11th year running.
VisitEngland provides independent assessments for tourism businesses across England with attractions including art galleries, historic houses and heritage sites are visited by experienced assessors. Assessors score every attraction against key criteria and provide support and guidance to help improve the visitor experience.
This year’s assessment visit scored 89%, confirming that the castle continues to meet the high standards required for accreditation. The report highlights that all areas assessed remain at very good to excellent quality levels, demonstrating the consistency of Tamworth Castle as a place to visit.
The VisitEngland assessor said: “visitors cannot fail to be impressed by a visit to Tamworth Castle to see its fascinating architecture and hear its stories which encompass a very full swathe of British history from the Saxon period right through to the Victorian and the modern-day’.”
The most notable score was 96% in the staff category. The assessor said: “Overall Tamworth Castle's staff were a very positive aspect of the visit, and they added to what was an enjoyable visitor experience.”
High scores were also achieved in the ‘cleanliness’, ‘toilets’ and ‘attraction’ sections.
Additional comments included positive references to the quality of the new guidebook and ‘the fascinating permanent and temporary exhibitions including displays of the Staffordshire Hoard and the Glascote Torc, and the community programme and special events on offer.”
Stephen Gabriel, chief executive of Tamworth Borough Council said: “We’re delighted that Tamworth Castle has once again achieved VisitEngland accreditation.
“This recognition reflects the dedication of our staff and volunteers, who work incredibly hard to provide a high-quality and engaging experience for all our visitors.
“We’re proud to have an attraction of this standard on our doorstep, enjoyed by both local residents and visitors to the area. The feedback shows that the castle continues to be a much-loved attraction, with strong foundations to build on as we look ahead to future improvements and investment.”
Local residents are encouraged to rediscover Tamworth Castle and take advantage of everything it has to offer, from its rich history to its growing programme of events. The castle is also a Blue Peter badge venue meaning that children who have a Blue Peter badge can visit the castle for free, making it even more accessible for young people and families to explore the town’s rich history.
Tamworth Castle is open Thursdays-Sundays and on bank holiday Mondays. For more information and to see what’s coming up, visit www.tamworthcastle.co.uk.