Former Sheffield Castle brought back to life at National Videogame Museum

The former Sheffield Castle has been brought back to life with virtual reality technology.
Sheffield Castle Virtual Reality Exhibition at the National Videogame Museum, Castle House, Sheffield. Sonia Khan, Museum Learning Officer, demonstrates the technology. Picture: Steve EllisSheffield Castle Virtual Reality Exhibition at the National Videogame Museum, Castle House, Sheffield. Sonia Khan, Museum Learning Officer, demonstrates the technology. Picture: Steve Ellis
Sheffield Castle Virtual Reality Exhibition at the National Videogame Museum, Castle House, Sheffield. Sonia Khan, Museum Learning Officer, demonstrates the technology. Picture: Steve Ellis

A virtual model of the city’s lost castle has gone on display at the National Videogame Museum, on Angel Street, after also appearing at last year’s Festival of the Mind.

It was once one of the most powerful castles in the north of England, where Mary Queen of Scots was held prisoner for 14 years.

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The model has been put together by the archaeology department at Sheffield University, giving people a chance to explore it once again.

Based on research led by Professor John Moreland, the accurate recreation has been installed as part of the Experience Castlegate exhibition.

It uses cutting edge augmented reality technology to give the closest reflection of what Sheffield Castle was actually like to date.

Prof Moreland said: “This reconstruction is based on our extensive research on the archaeology and archives of Sheffield Castle, and demonstrates the power of augmented reality to make the past accessible.

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“We believe that it could play a major part in displaying the rich history of the site uncovered in the recent excavations by Wessex Archaeology.”

The school of architecture is also working with Sheffield Council, colleagues across the university, and other organisations to regenerate the site where the castle once stood.

Sheffield Castle was a stronghold of the Royal family until it was almost completely destroyed at the end of the English Civil War.