Published:
7:00 a.m. May 25, 2022
A detailed Lego model of a much-loved Norwich landmark is on display for public enjoyment.
Austin Goreham’s hard work, determination and patience brought the miniature model of Norwich Castle to life, made from 5,000 Lego pieces.
Austin, who is head of planning and performance at the Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, was inspired to take on the mammoth challenge of the Norwich Castle: Royal Palace Reborn project to return the keep to its original Norman layout. .
Austin’s Lego Norwich Castle took over 500 hours to design and another 20 hours to build
– Credit: Denise Bradley
His model measures just 32cm square – a fraction of the size of the real deal – and is now on display at the Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery.
He occupies a prominent place on a plinth in the central area of the museum’s galleries rotunda, so that the public can view his masterpiece.
He hopes it will inspire young Lego enthusiasts to build something special and showcase the exciting plans for a transformation of Norwich Castle through the £13.5million Royal Palace Reborn project, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Austin Goreham with his 32 cm square model of Norwich Castle, made entirely of Lego
– Credit: Norfolk Museum Service
Austin explained how his love of the castle and his passion for Lego came together for the project: “I always find that my imagination and curiosity soar every time I visit.
“As I read about the grand restoration plans for the keep, the enthusiastic child in me came back and sparked another passion from my childhood – I was able to use Lego to build a detailed version of the castle.”
The replica was designed using specialized digital software, using a 3D drone image of the castle to create a detailed plan.
He spent around 500 hours over two years working on the design, and another 20 hours building it from second-hand bricks acquired from across Europe.
Austin Goreham estimates it took him around 500 hours to design his Lego model of Norwich Castle
– Credit: Norfolk Museum Service
He used a 3D image of the model to painstakingly produce a plan to build the castle from
– Credit: Norfolk Museum Service
Cllr John Ward, Chairman of the Norfolk Joint Museums Committee, said: “Austin’s dedication in creating this model is a great example of how important Norwich Castle is to the people of Norwich and Norfolk.
“Congratulations and thank you to Austin for his time and ingenuity in creating such a fantastic engagement tool for our Royal Palace Reborn project.”
Other creations inspired by Norwich Castle
Norfolk Museums Service communications manager Liz Elmore said the team were “really flattered” by the creation, adding: “It’s a lovely thing.
“We are touched that someone has spent so much of their free time creating something so beautiful and letting us display it so other people can be inspired by it as well.
Communications Officer Liz Elmore with Lego Castle
– Credit: Denise Bradley
“There is no better home for that than here.
“We would love to see everything people create. We had castle cakes, sand castles and even a snow castle when the Beast from the East arrived.
“This one is the most dedicated we’ve had so far.
“It’s amazing. I wouldn’t know where to start.
The Lego flag atop Austin’s Norwich Castle model
– Credit: Denise Bradley
“Over the past two years, Austin has kept us up to date on how things are going.
“We can’t wait to open the castle and show the public all the work in progress.
“People will be amazed when they see all the work that has been done.”
Over 5,000 pieces make up the Lego version of Norwich Castle
– Credit: Denise Bradley
