Essential conservation repair work taking place at Tamworth Castle

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Castle Scaffolding Tamworth

25th  April 2023

  • Conservation work to repair the curtain wall taking place over the next six months
  • The castle remains open as normal for
  • The Gatehouse is also receiving essential repairs and maintenance


Tamworth Borough Council have released funds for conservation repairs to part of Tamworth Castle’s external curtain wall, west rampart, plus reroofing of a passageway.
 

The work commenced on 13 March immediately after ‘If These Walls Could Talk’ festival weekend, which saw lighting projected onto the castle walls depicting words from the performances and stories.

These essential conservation repairs include the external curtain wall, west rampart (including iron railings), part south elevation of the north range, part north and west elevations of the south range and reroofing of the passageway to the staffroom.

Scaffolding has been erected on the motte to create a conveyor for the stone which will be used to repair the walls. The work is expected to cost £440,367 and will take around six months to complete.

In addition to the curtain wall repairs, visitors to the Castle Grounds may have noticed that work on the Gatehouse shop at the bottom of the castle entrance, is also taking place. This project will cost £36,000 in total, with £26,701 of capital funds from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and the remainder from castle budget.

The project will repair and improve the condition of the roof and masonry of the Gatehouse and provide an attractive reception to the castle site and ticket office. This work is in addition to internal improvements to fixtures and fittings.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus

Anna Miller, Assistant Director of Growth and Regeneration at Tamworth Borough Council, said: “Our ancient monument is undergoing this essential repair work to ensure that this historic building continues to stand proud and remain a part of Tamworth’s rich history.

“We are very lucky to have such an amazing building and while the conservation work is on ongoing, the castle remains open to visitors to come and explore our museum.”

For information about any castle events, opening times and admission prices, please contact the castle on 01827 709626 or visit: www.tamworthcastle.gov.uk.