Best Castle in Nottinghamshire, England - Map and Reviews

Newark Castle is one of the most historically significant medieval fortresses in the East Midlands of England, standing dramatically on the western bank of the River Trent in the market town of Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire. The castle is particularly notable for being the place where King John of England died in October 1216, making it a site of genuine national historical importance. Despite centuries of partial ruination, a substantial portion of the structure survives, including an impressive gatehouse, curtain walls, and the riverside façade, which together create one of the most picturesque castle ruins in the region. It is managed by Newark and Sherwood District Council and admission to the grounds is free, making it an accessible destination for history enthusiasts, families, and casual visitors alike. The origins of Newark Castle stretch back to the early twelfth century, when it was built by Alexander, Bishop of Lincoln, around 1130 to 1135. Its construction on the banks of the Trent was strategically deliberate, as the river crossing here was one of the most important in the country, and control of the castle effectively meant control of the road and river traffic through the region. The castle passed through various hands over the centuries, and by the medieval period it had become a key stronghold in the ecclesiastical and political landscape of central England. King John's death here in 1216, likely from dysentery contracted during his disastrous campaign in which the Crown Jewels were reportedly lost in The Wash, is the event that lodged Newark most firmly in the national consciousness. The king is said to have arrived at the castle gravely ill, and he died there on the night of 18–19 October, leaving England in the midst of the First Barons' War. During the English Civil War of the seventeenth century, Newark became one of the Royalist strongholds most staunchly loyal to Charles I. The town and castle endured three separate sieges by Parliamentary forces between 1643 and 1646, becoming so stubbornly resistant that Newark was nicknamed "Bullet-riddled Newark" and its defenders developed a fierce local pride. The garrison only surrendered in May 1646, and only then on the direct orders of Charles I himself after his capture. Following the Royalist defeat, Parliament ordered the slighting of the castle — its deliberate partial demolition to render it militarily useless — which accounts for the ruinous state of much of the structure today. Nonetheless, the survival of the gatehouse and river walls means that a significant portion of the medieval building remains visible and atmospheric. In person, Newark Castle has a brooding grandeur softened by its public park setting. The great west-facing gatehouse, with its twin flanking towers, rises impressively from the town's edge, its pale limestone catching the light in a way that shifts dramatically between seasons. The riverside façade presents a long, ragged curtain of medieval stonework reflected in the Trent below, with swans and narrowboats frequently drifting past in peaceful contrast to the turbulent history the walls have witnessed. Inside the grounds, lawns run down toward the riverbank, and visitors can explore the shell of the great hall and other interior spaces. The atmosphere is one of layered time — urban noise from the nearby market square mingles with birdsong and the gentle sound of the river, creating a sense of a place where the past sits unusually close to the surface of everyday life. The surrounding area rewards further exploration. The castle grounds open onto Newark's historic Market Place, one of the largest in England, which is lined with Georgian and earlier buildings and still hosts regular markets as it has done for centuries. The Parish Church of St Mary Magdalene, just a short walk away, is a stunning perpendicular Gothic structure of cathedral-like proportions. The National Civil War Centre, housed in the Magnus Church, is nearby and provides deep context for the Civil War sieges that shaped the town. The River Trent itself, tidal at this point, provides a scenic backdrop and supports recreational boating. The broader Nottinghamshire countryside, with its connections to Robin Hood legend via Sherwood Forest, is easily reachable. Practically speaking, Newark Castle is straightforward to visit. Newark-on-Trent is well served by rail, with Newark Castle railway station just minutes' walk from the site, on the line between Nottingham and Lincoln. The town is also accessible by road via the A1 and A46. The castle grounds are open daily and free to enter, though access to certain interior areas may be limited or subject to seasonal opening times. The castle hosts guided tours at scheduled times, which provide access to otherwise restricted areas and bring the history vividly to life. Autumn is a particularly evocative time to visit, given King John's connection to October, and the low afternoon light on the limestone walls creates memorable photography. The site is relatively flat and accessible, and the adjacent riverside park provides pleasant space to sit and absorb the surroundings. A lesser-known but fascinating detail about Newark Castle is that the gatehouse contains a small museum space within its towers, including local archaeological finds and interpretive material about the castle's long history. There is also a curious humanising detail about King John's final days: contemporary chroniclers suggest he was carried to Newark on a litter, already failing, having reportedly overindulged on peaches and cider — or in some accounts new cider and peaches — the previous evening. Whether this is medical fact or medieval gossip, it has given the otherwise despised king a slightly tragicomic end, and visitors sometimes find this the most memorable footnote of all. Newark Castle may lack the fame of Warwick or the completeness of Windsor, but its authentic, unglamourised ruins and its direct connection to a pivotal moment in English history give it a resonance out of proportion to its relatively modest size.