A new era is beginning at Newark Castle...
Thanks to major investment from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Government’s Towns Fund, and Newark and Sherwood District Council, this historic site is undergoing a dramatic transformation that will bring its 900-year story to life like never before - explore the history behind Newark Castle.
Soon, visitors from across the UK will be able to step inside rebuilt medieval rooms, explore brand-new gallery spaces with lift access, interact with immersive displays, and climb to a tower-top viewing platform offering breath taking views over the Trent Valley.
And that’s just the beginning… the Castle’s stunning Victorian gardens are being carefully restored and enhanced with a new lighting scheme that will make evening visits magical.
Special floodlights will illuminate the architecture, while low-level path lighting ensures a safe and welcoming experience after dark.
We’re creating a space where wildlife can thrive. New wildflower planting will bring colour and seasonal interest while providing food and habitats. Bat corridors and roosts will be woven into the design to protect these important species. Our gardens will become a haven for biodiversity, offering visitors a chance to enjoy nature alongside Newark Castle’s rich history.
This isn’t just a restoration, it’s a reinvention, shaped by expert insight and community feedback. Every detail has been considered to make the Castle more accessible, engaging, and inclusive for all. Plan your visit to see the Gatehouse Project in action from the limited area of the grounds still available to visit.
Newark Castle For All is a group of local volunteers with lived experience of a wide range of disabilities, who are helping us to design and review accessible features throughout the project. We are building in accessibility as much as possible, with features such as a lift to the first floor, tactile models and artefacts, audio alternatives to written text, and wheelchair-friendly gradients.
The transformation of Newark Castle’s historic Gatehouse is underway and you can see every step as it happens! Our timelapse cameras capture the progress from two unique perspectives, giving you a front-row seat to this exciting restoration:
- Camera 1 - Gatehouse View | Watch the Gatehouse works from the Great North Road and see how the landscape evolves.
- Camera 2 - Courtyard View | Follow the changes within the Castle grounds as the Gatehouse takes shape and the site prepares for its new visitor experience.
Be sure to check back regularly - the footage updates as the project moves forward, so you can follow the journey from start to finish!
Once complete, Newark Castle will become a must-visit destination for history lovers, families, and curious explorers, drawing thousands of new visitors to step inside one of England’s most historic buildings.
History is being made. Come and be part of it. Autumn 2026.
Watch our video of Project Manager, Sarah, talking through the Castle Gatehouse plans:
The National Lottery Heritage Fund
The Newark Castle Gatehouse Project is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund is the largest funder for the UK’s heritage. Using money raised by National Lottery players we support projects that connect people and communities to heritage. Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. From historic buildings, our industrial legacy and the natural environment, to collections, traditions, stories and more. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past.