Packing up a castle: English Heritage completes extraordinary operation to empty Walmer Castle ahead of major conservation project

English Heritage has completed an extraordinary operation to empty Walmer Castle in Kent ahead of a major £5.5 million-plus conservation project to repair the castle’s ageing roof and protect the historic building for future generations. Hundreds of historic objects had to be carefully packed and moved, from furniture and works of art to some of the castle’s most famous treasures, including the Duke of Wellington’s bed, his chair and his famous boots.

English Heritage’s South of England Director, Neil McCollum, said: “Packing up a house is stressful enough. Packing up a castle containing hundreds of years of history is another matter entirely. Every object has its own story, its own vulnerabilities and its own requirements when it comes to handling and storage.”

 Over the past four weeks, the castle’s collections team has carefully packed and moved approximately 1,365 historic objects. These include around 250 paintings and prints, 285 books, 95 pieces of furniture, 510 ceramics, glass and other small objects such as medals, coins and figurines, and 110 textiles.

 Neil McCollum added: “Packing up Walmer and repairing its roof is a huge but necessary undertaking. We know how special the castle is, especially for our local English Heritage members and know that both they and the rest of Walmer’s community will miss their castle while it’s closed for repairs. We’d like to thank them for their understanding. Throughout, Walmer’s gorgeous gardens will remain open to explore and we will keep everyone updated and involved in our project to secure the castle’s future.”

The project will address the condition of Walmer Castle’s ageing roof, ensuring the historic building remains watertight and protected for the future. The work will include repairs to the roof, as well as improvements to windows, doors and other elements of the building, helping to safeguard both the castle and the internationally significant collections it houses for generations to come. The temporary removal of the collections is an essential part of this process, allowing the conservation work to take place while the historic objects are safely protected.

The project is being supported by a £3.08 million grant from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and Arts Council England’s Museum Estate and Development Fund, alongside other generous donations. English Heritage is continuing to raise significant funds towards the cost of the project, which will help secure the long-term future of one of England’s most important historic castles.

The castle interiors will be closed while the work takes place, marking a significant change for English Heritage members, supporters and regular visitors. The charity is committed to ensuring that supporters feel part of this important chapter in the castle’s history, creating opportunities to stay connected with Walmer and see the conservation work as it progresses. Visitors can still explore the castle’s eight acres of award-winning gardens, including the Broadwalk, Queen Mother’s Garden, Kitchen Garden and Glen, while admission prices have been reduced by 30% during the closure, with the discount applied automatically when visitors book online.