Rebuilding Norwich Castle | The Colour Of Power

‘Rebuilding Norwich Castle’ is a documentary series exploring the people, partnerships, and craftsmanship behind one of the UK’s most significant heritage redevelopments.

In this film, we discover how colour is transforming Norwich Castle’s Norman Keep, challenging the familiar image of medieval buildings as places of bare stone and dark wood.

Using evidence from surviving 12th-century decoration, specialist painters recreate elaborate patterns with natural earth pigments, limewash, handmade stencils, and traditional techniques. Historical woodwork is also brought to life with richly coloured paint and gold leaf, revealing how the Keep’s interiors would once have reflected the prestige, wealth, and power of a royal palace.

Filmed during the production of ‘The Castle: Rebuilding History’ for Channel 4, this series offers exclusive access to the stories, people, and processes behind the transformation of Norwich Castle that could not be fully explored in the feature documentary.

The work forms part of the Norwich Castle: Royal Palace Reborn project, which received funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Norfolk County Council.

New films will be released monthly, each exploring another unseen aspect of Norwich Castle’s remarkable redevelopment.

Partners:
• Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery
• Norfolk Museums Service

Rebuilding Norwich Castle | The Colour of Power