Restoration of the castle
On August 30 1999, we closed the gatehouse to visitors and work on a £375,000 millennium project began. We replaced the missing floors on the ground and first floor levels. We also repaired the spiral staircase in the East Tower.
This means a circular tour of the gatehouse is now possible. In replacing the floors, we were able to create two more rooms. Their use is for:
- education room for school and group use
- provision for an exhibition space for local community use
- second venue for civil marriage ceremonies
Architect Stuart Page oversaw the work. He made sure it was of a high quality and in keeping with the fabric of the medieval gatehouse.
Gatehouse reopened
In September 2000, the gatehouse reopened in celebration of the Millennium. A Victorian birthday party commemorated 100 years of local ownership of the castle. We also celebrated Heritage Open Days Festival borough wide.
In 2003, we completed the re-roofing of the gatehouse. The project, led by Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council, cost approximately £450,000. The council received some financial help in the form of a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. This latest restoration helped to:
- preserve the structure of the gatehouse
- improve the interior of the building
- provide shelter all year round
You can now enjoy your visit to Tonbridge Castle whatever the weather.
