Access facilities at Norwich Castle

Access to Norwich Castle during works to remove the tower crane 

The tower crane which has been vital for the Royal Palace Reborn construction project will soon be removed. The work to remove the crane will take place from Monday 18 November to Tuesday 3 December. 

Find information on how to access Norwich Castle during this period. 

External lift access and entrance

Step-free access is via the external lift in Castle Gardens. If you prefer not to use a lift, there is alternative step-free access to the Castle via Farmers Avenue or by the slopes in Castle Gardens.  

You may drive up and drop off visitors with access needs at the museum entrance, but there is no Blue Badge parking on site.  

Parking

There is currently no Blue Badge parking outside the museum because of the building work. We apologise for any inconvenience and are working to have this facility available again as soon as possible. 

You may drive up and drop off visitors with access needs at the museum entrance. 

The closest car park is in Castle Mall shopping centre. Levels K-N offer the shortest route to Norwich Castle. See information about car parks in the city on the Visit Norwich website.

Admission

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

Wheelchair access

There is a step-free entrance very near the main visitor entrance. Inside the museum, there is a lift to the first floor.  

Please note: A maximum of three wheelchair-users are permitted above ground floor level at a time. This is to ensure that we can safely evacuate the building in an emergency. If you are a wheelchair-user visiting the first or second floors, you must be able to transfer into an evac chair or wait at a refuge point in the event of an emergency.

Norwich Castle Visual Stories

Visual Story: How to get to Norwich Castle (PDF) [3MB].

Norwich Castle Visual Story (PDF) [2MB].

Hearing loops

Please ask at the Rotunda information desk to borrow a portable hearing loop to use in our auditorium. 

Assistance dogs

Assistance dogs are welcome in Norwich Museums.

Wheelchair hire

We have a non-self propelling wheelchair available at Norwich Castle. Please contact Building Services on 01603 495889 to check if it's available before you visit.

Print and text size

There are large-print labels in many galleries. There is also large-print information about the Colman Galleries at the Rotunda information desk. 

Light levels

Light levels are kept low in certain galleries and displays to protect the exhibits. 

Accessible toilet facilities

• There are gender-neutral accessible toilets off the Rotunda, one on the ground floor and one on the first floor
• There is a Changing Place toilet on the ground floor off the Rotunda
• The Victorian toilets at either end of the Special Exhibition Gallery have male and female accessible toilets
• There is a gender-neutral accessible toilet on the second floor in the Percival wing, above the café

Heavy doors

We keep doors to all exhibition areas closed to maintain the right environment for the artworks. If you need help opening the doors, please ask a member of staff, who will be happy to assist you. 

Gallery facilities

There is seating throughout the museum, and gallery stools are available to borrow from the Rotunda information desk.

Download the Norwich Castle Floor Plan (PDF) [161KB].

Please note: This floor plan includes areas which are currently closed to the public. View list of open galleries.

View a text map with more detailed access information about each area of the museum.

The Arts of Living (Decorative Arts) Gallery

• Braille-labelled raised tiles
• Magnifying glass over stump work
• Braille-labelled 'tactile jewels'
• Braille-labelled art motifs

Colman: British Masters Gallery (Cotman)

• Norwich School video with audio track
• Cotman's Trunk - a tactile painter's box

Colman: Landscape and Nature Gallery (Crome)

• Norwich School video with audio track
• Brass plates on colouring table showing typical Norwich School scenes

Ted Ellis Gallery

• Braille-labelled bird sounds 

Norfolk Regiment displays

• Sound shower

Coronavirus

Please visit the Coronavirus page for Norfolk Museums Service for guidance. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us in advance of your visit at museums@norfolk.gov.uk.