Newark Castle

Newark Castle, Nottinghamshire

Newark Castle

Where is it – East Midlands, England

Who looks after it –  Local Authority 

What is it –  Castle or Fort, Free access, Royal connection, Ruin 

When is it from – Medieval, Stuart

The castle at Newark upon Trent occupies a strategic position in the English Midlands, where the Roman Fosse Way meets the Great North Road at the River Trent. Developed from an original timber episcopal fortress, the impressive ruins of 12th century Newark Castle sit on the bank of the river, the interior now home to a Victorian garden, complete with bandstand. Two events help to define it. Famously, King John died of dysentery in the castle on 18 October 1216. Secondly, Newark was a Royalist town during the English Civil War and was besieged three times by Parliamentary forces, in 1643, 1644 and 1645-46. Eventually the town surrendered on the King’s orders. The castle’s ruinous state is partly due to Parliamentary forces, who wrecked the fortifications so that they could not be used again (standard parliamentary operating procedure). It has an impressive gatehouse and there are plans to make this the focus of a new visitor attraction.

 


Address

Castlegate, Newark, Nottinghamshire NG24 1BG 

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