Newark Castle and Gardens — Attraction in Newark and Sherwood

In the heart of Nottinghamshire, nestled along the banks of the River Trent, stands Newark Castle, a venerable relic steeped in history and tales of old.

It all began in the 12th century, when Alexander, the Bishop of Lincoln, laid the foundations of this fortress, envisioning a stronghold that would withstand the test of time. Built initially from timber, the castle rose proudly against the skyline, a symbol of strength and power.

Through the centuries, Newark Castle witnessed the ebb and flow of history, its walls echoing the footsteps of kings and conquerors. But it was King John who left his mark upon its storied halls, meeting his end within its confines, legend whispering of a fatal feast of peaches.

Yet, turmoil would come to Newark Castle during the tumultuous years of the English Civil War. Its walls were breached, its towers toppled, as the forces of conflict tore through its defenses. But like a phoenix rising from the ashes, the castle was reborn in the 19th century, restored to its former glory by the hands of Anthony Salvin and the people of Newark.

And as the centuries passed, the River Trent flowed serenely by, a silent witness to the drama unfolding within the castle's walls. From its humble beginnings as a Roman trade route to its role as a vital artery connecting the Midlands to the bustling Humber Estuary, the river played its part in shaping the destiny of the land.

Today, Newark Castle and the River Trent stand as guardians of history, their stories intertwined like the threads of a tapestry. As visitors wander through the castle's ancient corridors and gaze upon the tranquil waters of the river, they are reminded of the enduring legacy of this...

I've never been to Newark before and was pleasantly surprised. The parking was easy and not too crowded. Apparently we missed the antique market that is on Monday and Thursday and starts at around 7am till 4pm (ish). The market square is very pleasant and is surrounded on all sides by shops and buildings of all age, manner and size. Some even have romanesque colonnades with coffee houses serving on the street (Covid compliant) the town shopping area is flat and walker and wheelchair friendly and circumnavigated by a road and although a grid layout, if you do happen to get lost then just continue in any direction until you find the ring road and you will find where you need to be. Definitely a place to return to with a picnic as the ancient Castle grounds over looking the river tent offer a spectacular view and the gardens are well maintained and a wonderful place to round out a lovely visit. The band stand adorns the the center of the castle gardens and I imagine there has been many a delightful evening for some to enjoy this tiny picturesque micro metropolis. Can't wait to come back for my second"exploration". One final caveat. Make sure you have your parking arrangements intact as I noticed the enforcement officers seem to be really conspicuous and with such a small area to cover and falling foul of a missed rendevous with your vehicle could potentially make their day and...

After visiting Nottingham City, which I thought looked VERY scruffy and untidy, I swiftly moved onto Newark-on-Trent.

Newark-on-Trent was the complete opposite to Nottingham City, it looked clean and tidy, even the buildings were clean and well looked after. I parked in the large carpark opposite the castle. It was great carpark too which had reasonable prices and an onsite toilet! It's good to see the County Council for Newark have really thought about what new visitors to the area would need.

We walked across the rather nice green park area towards the castle. Unfortunately, there was a strong smell of Wacky Baccy coming from other users of the park, so the County Council and Police really need to monitor this on a regular basis, as it tarnishes the overall feel of a really nice place. A quick stroll over the bridge and river (also very nice) took us to the castle and it's garden.

The castle and gardens are quite small, but it's well looked after like rest of Newark and offers a very nice spot to chill and relax, or have a picnic.

Overall, I cannot really fault Newark-on-Trent or it's castle, so I totally recommend a visit if...