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Sherwood Forest and the Dukeries Tourism  

 

  Local knowledge to help make your stay in Robin Hood Country extra special

 

A Tour of Newark UK, Market Square.

Heading now from the Castle towards the town centre you will pass the Woolpack Inn. Now a pub, it was built around 1452 as a rich merchant's house and would have been about 200 years old at the time of the Civil War. The roomy building would have provided ideal accommodation for soldiers. Originally the Woolpack had 3 bays, with the upper floors of the side bays jettied forward, as may be seen with the surviving right-hand bay. The left hand bay was removed at some point, possibly after the siege as it could have been damaged beyond repair.

The Governors House, now the Bakers Oven, belonged to another rich merchant, its copious timber framing indicated high status. This, together with its position close enough to military headquarters in the castle to permit speedy access, meant it was certain to be commandeered by the Royalist forces. 

Now open as a cafe, provides the opportunity to explore the insides of the building including the upper floors. It was used as the Governors House for the duration of the war.

The Nat West Bank now stands on the site of Alderman Hercules Clays house. A plaque high on the wall gives details. The house was destroyed by a bomb in 1643 that was aimed at the Governors House. The Alderman had 3 dreams that his home would be destroyes and moved his family out just in time to a place of safety. He bequeathed a thank you offering to the town of £100 and gave £100 to the vicar on condition that he preached a sermon on the 11th March every year - this still continues today.

You are now at the market square. A vibrant market takes place on Saturdays. Visit the Buttermarket beneath the Town Hall with its unusual shops.

Head on along to the corner of the square, here The Old White Heart is the oldest surviving inn in Newark, dating back to the early 14th century. with the earliest section lying under the carriageway to the right. The ornate facade of the front section (1459) was extensively restored in the 1980's, but is authentic in style and colour as sufficient original material remained for copies to be made. Soldiers would certainly have been billeted at the inn.

From the square you will see the spire of St Magdelene church, head towards it past more old shops en-route. Take time to wander around the church yard.The hole visible in the spire marks the spot where a shot from a parliamentarian cannon is said to have struck the church in 1644.In the centre of the churchyard is a plaque in memory of the officers killed in other sieges of Newark. In the church you will find a plaque dedicated to Hercules Clay.

 

 

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