Local information - history
Newark-on-Trent is an attractive market town situated along the River Trent and offers a wealth of history, a library, theatre and many other sporting and recreational amenities. The town has grown around Newark Castle since the start of its construction in 1123 and was a local centre for the wool and cloth trade. Today the spire of the Church of St Mary Magdalene overlooks the busy market square which is home to regular market days, lined with historic buildings and a selection of high street shops.
The town’s most famous period was during the English Civil War where the 12th Century castle was used as an important royalist stronghold to Charles I in controlling the main route north. The town and castle withstood three sieges by Parliamentarian rebels in 1642, 1644 and 1646; however, fearing capture by the Parliamentary Army in 1646, Charles I surrendered.
Newark on Trent is designated as the East Midlands Growth Point and in future years will see a southern bypass, substantial housing and employment development.
Places to visit
There are many local tourist attractions including Newark Castle Gardens, The Palace Theatre, Newark Town Hall Museum and Art Gallery, Millgate Museum and the Newark Air Museum. Newark Town Centre offers good shopping with a range of individual and high street shops. For those interested in sport, Newark has rugby union, football, athletic and cricket clubs.
Travel
Newark on Trent is becoming a popular commuter town for the expanding city of Nottingham and increasingly for London with its links to the A46, A1 and East Coast Mainline railway. Newark Northgate station is situated on the East Coast Mainline with services into London Kings Cross in 1hr 15. Local services to Nottingham and Lincoln run from Newark Castlegate station. East Midlands airport is 32 miles away.
Local schools and colleges
Newark has a range of junior and secondary schools including the Magnus Church of England Academy and the Newark Academy. The expansion plans for Newark include the provision of a new ‘free school’ which is set to open in Autumn 2019 at a greenfield site in Fernwood. Highfields Preparatory School is well respected locally.
Newark lies very close to the Lincolnshire Border; Lincolnshire still adopts the Grammar School system and accordingly grammar schools in Sleaford and Grantham are easily accessible, and there is a school bus service to these running from the town.