Tamworth Castle

06/09/2026

Happy National Read a Book Day - why not pop in to our gatehouse and see what paper-based treasures you can find?

From child friendly fun, to our new guide book and other interesting or quirky reads - there's something for everyone to enjoy.

05/09/2026

🖼️ Ever wondered what it takes to restore a piece of fine art?

Then join us for a unique lunchtime presentation from the renowned Simon Gillespie Studio, London, exploring the fascinating world of fine art conservation.

📅 Friday 11 September, 1pm
📍Pop-Up Museum and Art Gallery, Ankerside Shopping Centre
Talk lasts approx 1hr with a Q&A afterwards

This ticketed event will offer audiences a rare opportunity to hear first-hand about the detailed conservation work carried out on historic oil paintings by one of the UK’s leading conservation studios. What unnoticed details and possible detective work will be revealed?

Tickets are £5 and must be pre-booked. Call the box office on 01827 709618 or book online via our website: https://www.tamworthcastle.co.uk/bookings/webevent/castlestudio

More about the Simon Gillespie Studio: https://www.simongillespie.com/

Simon Gillespie Studio is professional fine art restoration & conservation in London, UK. We are experts in Modern art cleaning, contemporary painting conservators and artwork & picture restorers and repair in London area and have over 40 years' experience.

04/09/2026

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We are very grateful to the William A. Cadbury Trust for a recent generous grant towards the work of the new Pop-Up Art Gallery!

Come and see what all the fuss is about - learn more about Tamworth's history, explore beautiful artworks, have a go at one of the regular craft workshops, and take home a few locally made treats!

At Tamworth's Ankerside Shopping Centre, open Monday-Saturday 9am-3pm.

Pictured: the Vicar of Tamworth, Rev. Fr. Andrew Lythall, and Lara Rowe, Tamworth Castle, Museum and Archives Manager.

04/09/2026

On this day, 4 September 925, Athelstan's coronation took place at Kingston upon Thames, perhaps due to its symbolic location on the border between Wessex and Mercia. He was crowned by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Athelm, and it is believed that he organised a new ordo (religious order of service) in which the king wore a crown for the first time instead of a helmet.

When Edward died in July 924, Athelstan was immediately accepted by the Mercians as king. Possibly as he had been educated in Mercia by his aunt Lady Aethelflaed and he was also the favourite of his grandfather, King Alfred The Great. However, his half-brother Ælfweard may have been recognised as king in Wessex, but died within three weeks of their father's death. Athelstan encountered resistance in Wessex for several months, which is why he was not crowned until September 925.

Picture: Æthelstan presenting a book to St Cuthbert, an illustration in a manuscript of Bede's Life of Saint Cuthbert.

03/09/2026

🏰 September 2026 FREE events in the castle grounds

There’s more happening around the castle than you might think…

📅 Sunday 6 September – Tamworth Dog Friendly Trail, meet at the watchman statue at 9.30am
📅 Sunday 13 September – Annual Reliant Gathering
🏃 Every Saturday, 9am – Tamworth Castle Grounds parkrun (free but must register)
🏃 Every Sunday, 9am – Tamworth Castle Grounds junior parkrun (free but must register)

So whether you’re visiting for history, exercise, cars, dogs or simply a walk by the river, there’s plenty going on around Tamworth Castle this month.

02/09/2026

Keeping our schedule nice and full, always 😆😍

When’s your next visit? Tag someone you’d love to visit with.

02/09/2026

📢 Tickets are NOW ON SALE for a unique lunchtime presentation from the renowned Simon Gillespie Studio, London, exploring the fascinating world of fine art conservation.

📅 Friday 11 September, 1pm
📍Pop-Up Museum and Art Gallery, Ankerside Shopping Centre

This ticketed event will offer audiences a rare opportunity to hear first-hand about the detailed conservation work carried out on historic oil paintings by one of the UK’s leading conservation studios. What unnoticed details and possible detective work will be revealed?

🖼️ About Simon Gillespie Studio:
Simon Gillespie Studio is a world-renowned team of art conservators, recognised for its specialist work on oil paintings and historic artworks. The Studio has worked closely with art historian and presenter Bendor Grosvenor on the BBC Four series Britain’s Lost Masterpieces, and has also contributed to the BBC One series Fake or Fortune?, presented by Fiona Bruce and Philip Mould.

Tickets are £5 and must be pre-booked. Call the box office on 01827 709618 or book online via our website: https://www.tamworthcastle.co.uk/bookings/webevent/castlestudio
📷 Copyright Simon Gillespie Ltd.

31/08/2026

👻TIME TO GET SPOOKY...
HALLOWEEN 2026 IS COMING!

👻 Wandering Spirits Ghost Walk by Murder By Appointment
📍 Tamworth Town Centre
📅 Friday 30 & Saturday 31 October, 6.30pm or 8.30pm

Back by popular demand…
For those of you who missed it in 2025 here’s another chance to experience our Wandering Spirits Ghost Walk around town.

The ancient town of Tamworth has seen many dark deeds over the centuries, so it’s not surprising that echoes of the past are still heard today!

Explore Tamworth on a ghost walk with a difference. Join your guide through the gruesome hidden history of the old streets and listen to tales of things that go bump in the night. Discover strange but true stories about plague, highwaymen, and crime… but be warned, some of the ghosts will be joining you on your journey.

❗This performance lasts an hour and a half and is for over 16s only.
📍Meet at the castle gatehouse.
💸Tickets £20 (over 16s only) Pre-booking essential as places are limited.
https://www.tamworthcastle.co.uk/bookings/webevent/wanderingcastle

30/08/2026

🐉 Dragon Designs: Clay Workshop
📍 Tamworth's Pop-Up Art Gallery in Ankerside Shopping Centre
📅 19 September 2026, 10am-2pm
👏 Drop in - no booking needed
😃 FREE

Create a dragon-inspired clay keepsake in this free workshop inspired by a Victorian dragon vase made by Tamworth's historic ceramics manufacturer, Gibbs & Canning. Discover local heritage through clay.

Join Tamworth Castle at the Pop Up Art Gallery for a free Heritage Open Days event exploring the story of Gibbs & Canning, a historic Tamworth ceramics manufacturer, through hands-on creativity and original museum objects.

Throughout the day, local artist Emma Haywood-Curzon will lead short, approximately 30-minute drop-in clay sessions, where visitors can create their own dragon-inspired clay keepsake to take home. The workshop takes inspiration from a striking Victorian dragon vase on display in the Pop Up Museum exhibition. No experience is needed, making it a great activity for beginners, families and anyone who enjoys getting creative.

The clay workshop is open to adults and children aged 6+. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Heritage Open Days