Discover amazing views at FREE Castle Open Day during event-packed day in town

From 10am until 2pm, Friends of Newark and Castle Gardens will be hosting an open day at Newark Castle where visitors can explore and climb the tower and Gatehouse of the historic landmark for FREE, with no need to pre-book!

After climbing the 97 steps, visitors will be enchanted with the fantastic views of our wonderful historic town centre and the iconic River Trent as well as getting an up-close look at this very special building from within.  And of course, the beautiful gardens at the Castle will be open for free as usual for all to enjoy.

While entry is free, a donation to Friends of Newark and Castle Gardens is welcome. The Friends group work hard, uncovering new fascinating facts and insights into Newark’s most iconic landmark.  They also actively promote and raise money to enhance and preserve the wonderful site and new members are always welcome! For more information, go to: www.newarkcastlefriends.co.uk/

Councillor Rowan Cozens, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Heritage and Culture at Newark and Sherwood District Council said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for history lovers to climb this historic building and get unique views of our beautiful town. It’s not often that the public is allowed to explore the Castle Tower and Gatehouse, so this is the perfect opportunity for those who’ve always wanted to do it!

“Friends of Newark Castle and Gardens will also be on hand during the day and will be able to give you a helpful insight into the history of the Castle.

“It's great to see so much happening in the town on that day and I hope those who visit the Castle, will also take some time to visit the other amazing activities taking place across the town.”

Newark Castle Open Day is just one of a number of free events in the town on Saturday 27 April which is set to be jam-packed with activities and fun for the whole family to enjoy. In Newark Buttermarket, Small Business Showcase will be shining a spotlight on our finest local independent businesses, transforming the mezzanine area into a hub of creativity and entrepreneurship. This event is part of Newark Town Board’s Newark Cultural Heart project and has put sustainability at its forefront too focusing on renewable resources during the event.

Meanwhile, the picturesque riverside wharf hosts The Race to the Castle Paddleboard competition, infusing the air with competitive spirit and scenic beauty.

Newark Market Place will also be the home of a huge 18-metre-long inflatable whale! While the Plastic Ocean Show is fully booked, residents can still take photos of the amazing spectacle as it docks in the town centre.

Councillor Matthew Spoors, Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Economic Development, said: “Newark is the place to be on Saturday 27 April and the Newark Castle Open Day is another reason for people to come and visit the town on what will be an exciting and buzzing atmosphere.

“We know our town centre is a brilliant place and has lots of lovely independent retailers and we want to do all we can to bring as many people as possible into our town centre to support our local businesses.  We are often criticised for not doing enough, but I can assure you, we really are, and if you compare Newark to other towns up and down the A1, I really believe we’re doing so much more.

“Residents want more events in our town centre and we’re working on making this spring and summer busier than ever!

“While we’re organising events ourselves such as the Plastic Ocean Show and Newark Castle Open Days, and the Small Business Showcase event through our Newark Cultural Heart Project part of Newark Town Board, there are other events are being organised by several local organisations across the town too.

“This year the Steampunk festival, the CAMRA beer festival and the fantastic Dragon Boat Race are all returning thanks to the dedication and passion of other event organisers in the town separate to Newark Town Council and The District Council.

“If you’re not already planning on coming to Newark on Saturday 27 April, make sure to pay us a visit and don’t miss out on all these amazing free events!”

You won’t need to book to visit Newark Castle so visitors can just turn up on the day but there may be queues during busier times. Access is via it’s a spiralling staircase which may be difficult for some visitors.

For further information about the events, visit www.visitnewark.co.uk