Torch-lit tours of Norwich Castle and twilight trips up the tower of the Roman Catholic Cathedral will be on offer when the city's leading museums and heritage attractions unlock their doors after dark.

Nocturnal goings-on will take place next month at a host of venues as Norwich celebrates Museums at Night, a special event offering families the chance to experience attractions in a different way.

All the events will take place on Friday, May 13 and Saturday, May 14, with Norwich Castle the focus of the largest celebration on the Saturday.

The free programme there will include torch-lit tours of the natural history gallery, drawing activities and a chance to get hands on with a range of museum objects.

Throughout the evening there will also be live music and performances going on around the historic monument.

Rachel Kirk, Norwich museums manager, said: 'We're delighted to be staging a fantastic night of entertainment and discovery at Norwich Castle this year, in collaboration with the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts and the Norfolk and Norwich Festival.

'From chilling tales in the dungeons, to tours of the battlements by twilight, this is a special chance for people to explore the nooks and crannies of this fascinating building.

'Along the way there will be all kinds of activities to inspire and intrigue – sometimes in unexpected places.'

Elsewhere, people will be able to see Norwich by night from the top of the tower at the Cathedral of St John the Baptist, to experience a pre-1950s letter press at the John Jarrold Print Museum, to sample Colman's musard after hours at the Mustard Shop and Museum and to hear tales from years gone by at the Guildhall.

Norwich Heritage Economic and Regeneration Trust (HEART) helped co-ordinate the event and bosses there said they were looking forward to the event.

Lindsey Roffe, spokeswoman for HEART said: 'The Museums at Night weekend offers people a fantastic opportunity to see some of Norwich's leading museums and heritage buildings in a completely new light.

'It promises to be a really fun weekend and we hope it will encourage people to develop their interest in local history and the heritage on offer in the city.'

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