Essential castle conservation repair work near completion

BeccaS
castle works

08 August 2023

  • Conservation work to repair the curtain wall to complete by October
  • Scaffolding removal starts end of September
  • The Gatehouse also received essential repairs and maintenance


Tamworth Borough Council’s conservation repairs to part of Tamworth Castle’s external curtain wall, west rampart, plus reroofing of a passageway are near completion.

The work, that commenced in March, has delivered 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. 

Contractors Midlands Conservation Ltd, have repaired and restored the curtain wall, replacing coping stones and repairing the balustrade for the parapet. The chimney on the back of the Great Hall has been rebuilt and repointed as well as a further stack adjoining the curtain wall. 

The works, originally due to complete in September, are now expected to complete late October due to delays caused by the weather, with final costs of £440,367. Most of the scaffolding will start to come down late September whilst the final stages of the work are completed. 

The contractors are currently investigating repairs to the Tudor footbridge as additional work to the project whilst the scaffolding is in place.

Councillor Paul Thompson, Tamworth Borough Council, Portfolio Holder for Town Centre and Commercial Property, said: “Through careful project management with a team of heritage professionals, we have been able to deliver additional repair work whilst the scaffolding has been in place; plus, we have thoroughly inspected parts of the castle which are usually difficult to access. 

“This access has provided an opportunity to update our understanding of the condition of the castle overall and plan for future phases of conservation work to preserve the scheduled monument.

We are very lucky to have such an amazing building, undergoing this essential repair work will ensure that this historic building continues to stand proud and remain a part of Tamworth’s rich history.”

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

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

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