Conservation Management Plan - Tamworth Borough Council

The roof of the tower provides an excellent viewing platform to see the plan of the town of Tamworth and its wider
landscape setting.
The furnishings from the castle were dispersed at its sale, so most of what is on display has been purchased,
donated, or is loan from other museums such as the Victoria and Albert, or is a period replica.
Although the Living History approach is very popular with visitors, people who visit when there are no costumed
interpreters present have a poor visitor experience.
The frequency of costumed interpreter small scale family friendly events and activities needs to be increased
through the recruitment and training of a team of volunteers.
All visitors would benefit from a range of high quality portable media, including good quality interpretive self
guided trail leaflet and portable audio visual media such as iphone apps.
Policies that relate to these issues:
A3; G2; G3; G6; G10
2.3.38 Preservation versus presentation
Conflicts between preservation and presentation are common to all monuments, where the theoretical ideal of
maximum protection has to be balance against reasonable visitor expectations for access to common cultural
property. There will always be some tension between the economic and social necessities of managing a property
for maximum visitor enjoyment and understanding, and aspirations for conservation and protection.
Policies that relate to these issues:
A1; A3; C2; E1; E4
2.3.39 Scope of presentation
Tamworth castle has intrinsic interest and importance because of its own history of development, but it is also able
to represent broader themes on a local and national scale: The Normans; Medieval Society; 17 th century gentry ,
Royal visits, the Civil War, The Georgians, The Victorians. These provide context and enhance understanding of the
castle itself, but the multiplicity of potential themes could confuse visitor understanding and enjoyment, so there
needs to be a clear interpretation plan and orientation for visitors in advance on the web and at the start of their
visit.
The questionnaire completed as part of this Conservation Management Plan identified that most visitors have no
understanding of the full extent of the castle and its associated park, assuming that the castle is restricted to those
buildings within the curtain wall on the motte. There needs to be interpretation, using a range of different media,
within the Bailey/Castle Pleasure Grounds and around the town to convey the full extent and significance of the
castle, bailey, outer court and wider park.
A clear gap in the story told at Tamworth Castle is the important story of Saxon Tamworth and its central role in the
kingdom of Mercia. This has become even more significant since the discovery of the Mercian hoards of gold and
silver objects found a few miles west of Tamworth in 2009.
The story of Saxon warriors and their weapons could be told in the main hall which already has a collection of
medieval and post medieval arms and armour. This could be an opportunity for re-display and better use of this
space and collection. The hall also has the dimensions and appearance of a Saxon Warriors Hall and could be a
wonderful setting for the tales of Beowulf delivered by costumed interpreters.
The fascinating story of Aethelflaeda could also be told as a wonderful role model for girls and young women, and
to correct the myths about her and the motte.
Policies that relate to these issues:
G1; G4; G7; G8; G10
86 Part 2 www.marionblockley.co.uk Tamworth Castle Conservation Management Plan