Newark Castle Gatehouse Project
Work Starting 2025
The castle's gatehouse, part of Bishop Alexander's original construction, served as a grand entrance to impress visitors. It included the bishop's quarters, a private reception area, a chapel, and other facilities
.The gatehouse was slighted by detonating gunpowder during the Civil War but has remained a significant historical structure
The below contains information on the history and future plans and the impact to residents and visitors.Its also pretty exciting that, when complete, the viewing platform will give great views across the Trent valley. and we will be able to see views that haven’t been seen for nearly 400 years
For a full detailed history of the castle and all of its elements, go HERE
Brief History of the Gatehouse
The castle's gatehouse, part of Bishop Alexander's original construction, served as a grand entrance to impress visitors. It included the bishop's quarters, a private reception area, a chapel, and other facilities
The Gatehouse including audience chamber, lodging suite, curtain wall and (lost) north-west tower built for Alexander, Bishop of Lincoln, c 1130-1148.
The north side of the castle is dominated by this gatehouse. Some early Norman castles had a simple gateway rather than a gatehouse-keep but Newark (Ludlow, and perhaps Sherborne) are probably unique as twelfth-century examples of the genre. It might be seen as ahead of its time, as the gatehouse offered ample residential accommodation anticipating keep-gatehouses of the Edwardian era. It is now an empty shell, but little altered except for the insertion of some Elizabethan upper-storey windows.
It is a square-plan tower of three storeys pierced at ground level and approached through a shallow round-headed arch. The wide and lofty gate passage leads into the rectangular bailey. The gatehouse block is 45ft (14m) x 30ft (9m) with walls 8-9ft thick with clasping buttresses at the corners. The single anti-clockwise spiral staircase is notable for its stately width and climb
Future Project: Gatehouse Restoration
The Newark Castle Gatehouse Project aims to transform the gatehouse into a new and improved visitor attraction. This ambitious project will see the original Romanesque Gatehouse reinstated as the spectacular entrance it once was.
The project has received funding (£5.6M) from the Government’s Towns Fund initiative and an funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with additional funding of £1.02M which was obtained from the local councils Change Management reserve*.
Key features of the project include:
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• Tower-Top Viewing Platform: Visitors will be able to enjoy great views of Trent Valley from this new feature
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• New facility beneath the gatehouse bridge will be used for educational visits and community group activities, providing a space for residents to come together
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• Enhanced Accessibility: The project aims to make the castle and its gardens more accessible, with new paths and facilities designed to accommodate all visitors
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• Biodiversity Improvements: The project includes plans to enhance the natural environment and green space within the historic site, establishing more biodiversity
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• New lighting scheme highlighting the castles architecture, inside and out including lit paths and a safer “after Dark” experience
Entrance to the castle gardens will remain free for everyone. It is proposed that entrance to the tower, viewing platform, galleries and new facilities will be half price for Newark and Sherwood residents* with free entry to children and young people (*expected range around £4-5 )
Throughout the design process, Theyve been working closely with Historic England, who’ve overseen all decisions, ensuring that this much-loved Scheduled Monument is cared for properly, as well as the National Lottery Heritage Fund, to make sure that the heritage will be better cared for, better explained and more relevant to the community they serve
*A "council's change management fund" refers to a dedicated pool of money allocated by a local council to specifically support the implementation of significant organizational changes, often including new systems, processes, or strategies, by providing resources for training, communication, staff support, and other activities necessary to manage the transition smoothly and minimize disruption within the organization
For detail of the additional funding form the change management reserve, go HERE
In detail
The new entrance will lead to five gallery spaces which follow the castle’s story through time and bring its medieval history to life through fascinating, fun and interactive interpretation including models, real and replica tactile objects and furniture, embroideries, trails and play.
There will also be a tower-top viewing platform from which visitors can overlook great views of Trent Valley. These have been a focus of the project which also aims to enhance and protect the natural environment and green space within this historic site, establishing more biodiversity and enhancing accessibility through landscape development.
The development incorporates a new facility beneath the gatehouse bridge which will be used for both learning visits and for community groups and outreach, providing an extra space in the centre of town for residents to come together.
They hope to add a play trail for children, to help younger visitors explore and enjoy the gardens in new ways, although this does not include park-style play equipment.
Designs include a new lighting scheme for the castle and gardens. Beautifully designed floodlighting will highlight the castle’s architectural features both inside and outside the walls. With plan to enable a safe ‘after dark’ experience, with lit paths and improvements to event lighting. Recent bat surveys have confirmed that bats forage and commute through the gardens and along the river corridor. Lighting in trees can be extremely disturbing to bats, so theyhave taken the decision to exclude lit trees from the scheme.
The development incorporates a new facility beneath the gatehouse bridge which will be used for both learning visits and for community groups and outreach, providing an extra space in the centre of town for residents to come together.
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Tree Removal and Biodiversity
To facilitate these improvements, the removal of 16 trees and some shrubs was needed. This decision was made after careful deliberation and consultation with experts, including an independent tree impact report and a biodiversity report. The project promises a biodiversity net gain with the inclusion of more colourful, wildlife-friendly shrubs, hedges, and nectar-rich planting
Whilst it’s a shame to see some trees go, but the future plans to increase tourism and enhance the natural environment and greenspaces should be quite welcome.
The gardens were developed in the Victorian era with a commitment to provide a public space for everyone to enjoy. However, this did not account for modern accessibility standards or the impact of climate change. The plans include improved routes for wheelchair users, people with low mobility and those with prams or pushchairs. They are also increasing the number of benches.
Expert ecologists have been consulted to create a planting scheme which is more wildlife friendly and drought tolerant, creating habitats and feeding places for insects, bees and birds, and incorporating bat and moth friendly lighting and bat roosts.
Can people get involved?
There will be plenty of opportunities for volunteering to help in the castle and garden. Keep an eye on the castle FB page or follow their social media to find out more.
To see all the diagrams, planning permission, costs, landscape plans etc, the application number is 21/02690/FUL
Original planning application can be found here with a wealth of information - https://democracy.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/documents/s18710/FINAL%20-%20Newark%20Castle%2021.02690.FUL.pdf?fbclid=IwY2xjawIiuIdleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHQHwQBK1a7ESMzAi5beq2D1868FLxJE-nIXqmN2CSCeqMVNsstI197wmFw_aem_6lBh1k6QF53trQ21MOHDJg
Further reading
Gatehouse project summary and link to opportunities and faqs