Newark Castle Gatehouse Project

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

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 £3 million from the Government’s Towns Fund initiative and an additional £1.4 million from The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Key features of the project include:

Five Gallery Spaces: These will follow the castle’s story through time, bringing its medieval history to life with interactive interpretations, models, and tactile objects
Tower-Top Viewing Platform: Visitors will be able to enjoy great views of Trent Valley from this new feature
Enhanced Accessibility: The project aims to make the castle and its gardens more accessible, with new paths and facilities designed to accommodate all visitors
Biodiversity Improvements: The project includes plans to enhance the natural environment and green space within the historic site, establishing more biodiversity

.

Tree Removal and Biodiversity

To facilitate these improvements, the removal of 16 trees and some shrubs is necessary. 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 colorful, wildlife-friendly shrubs, hedges, and nectar-rich planting

Community Involvement

: Newark Castle Gatehouse Project

: Ambitious plans for Newark Castle Gatehouse

: New and exciting future for Newark Castle

: Newark Castle – History Beside The River Trent

: Newark Castle, Nottinghamshire - Wikipedia

Further reading

Gatehouse project summary and link to opportunities and faqs

https://www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/.../newark-castle.../

Ambitious plans to create a new and improved visitor attraction at Newark Castle are underway. This ground-breaking project will see Newark Castle’s original Romanesque Gatehouse, named by Historic England as the most complete example of such a structure in England, reinstated as the spectacular entrance just as it was centuries ago.

The project has received funding from the Government’s Towns Fund initiative, with £3million to deliver the Castle Gatehouse project. A further £1.4million grant has been awarded from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, to support the Building Bridges Project, made possible thanks to the generosity of National Lottery players.

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.

The project team is working on designs in response to consultation carried out in 2023. Read more about the consultation on the Buildings Bridges page.

You can read more about all of the steps we are taking here: https://newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/.../statement-from.../

BBC link from 2015 about plans

https://www.bbc.co.uk/.../uk-england-nottinghamshire...

Overall town plan

https://www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/councilpriorities/

Gatehouse project

https://www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/.../newark-castle.../

Publically accessable plans, engineering documents etc

https://publicaccess.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/.../applica...

Newark castle Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/NewarkCastleNotts

More plans