Newark & Sherwood District Council

Update Friday 27 March

We would like to reassure our park visitors that your health and safety is of utmost importance. We have had to make some decisions in the best interest of our visitors and staff, please see the following updates below.

• Sconce and Devon Park, Vicar Water Country Park, Newark Castle Gardens and other council open spaces will remain open for the time being however the Rumbles cafes at Sconce and Devon Park and Vicar Water Country Park are closed until further notice
• The senior and junior parkrun events at Sconce and Devon Park have been cancelled
• Our volunteer working groups have been cancelled
• The annual Easter Egg Hunts have been cancelled
• April Forest Schools have been cancelled

We believe these are the most responsible decisions to make at this time. We will continue to monitor this developing situation and share updates as soon as they are available via our website and social media platforms.

In line with Government guidance

• if you have a high temperature, or new continuous cough, please postpone your visit to a park and stay at home for 14 days
• Please also ensure that you practice good hand hygiene
• No team games or large groups activities
• Stay 2m part from one another
• Use the park and open space responsibly

Guidelines on how to avoid the virus can be found on the NHS website

• NHS website

We would like to thank you for your continued support

Park facilities

• Large area of public open grass and woodlands, including Devon Pastures Local Nature Reserve
• Queen’s Sconce, a large Civil War earthwork and new bridge
• Children’s play area
• Civil War Trail.
• Rumbles Cafe
• Football centre with 2 adult and 4 mini-soccer pitches and a football changing pavilion
• Network of pathways suitable for wheelchairs
• Parking and public toilets
• Park ranger service
• A fitness trail around a 600-metre circuit
• Wildlife Pond, a wildlife friendly visitor attraction

parkrun every Saturday at 9am

parkrun is a free event open to all ages and abilities. You can run the 5k course or simply walk it.

For more information and to register go to www.parkrun.org.uk/newark

Junior parkrun every Sunday at 9am

A fun 2k timed run for juniors. Find out more and get involved www.parkrun.org.uk/newark-juniors/

Conservation volunteering

Interested in learning new skills, making friends and helping maintain the park? Please contact park ranger George Hemstock.

Volunteering sessions are held each week.

• george.hemstock@nsdc.info

Queen’s Sconce - A 17th century Civil War earthwork fortification

The Scheduled Ancient Monument is one of the country's finest remaining earthworks from the English Civil War (1642-51). It is distinctively star-shaped when viewed from the air and is one of nine siege works remaining in a recognisable state in and around Newark. It’s considered an internationally important heritage feature, and is surrounded by open space and playing fields.

Civil War Trail

Two of the eight information boards for the Civil War Trail are located in the park. The trail, which is accessed via an app, uses augmented reality technology, where pointing a smart device to a still picture triggers a video scene from the 17th century. The trail films – which can be witnessed at eight locations around Newark, including the National Civil War Centre -  recall episodes from Newark's pivotal role in the 17th century British Civil Wars. To download  the app go to the App Store or Android Google play.

Civil War Sculptures

Wooden Civil War sculptures including soldiers and a horse, stand in a part of the park set out as  a natural play area in 2009. The original facilities were made using trunks from trees that had been felled in the park. The district council and Friends of Sconce and Devon Park decided to submit a bid to Tesco's ‘Bags of Help’ scheme. The grant has been used to clear away the remains of the old area and to pay for the design, construction and installation of the figures.‌

Rumbles Cafe 

The cafe is run by Rumbles Catering Project, which provides education and training for people with learning difficulties.

Voluntary parking charge

The park has a voluntary pay and display scheme. If you drive to the park you can, if you wish, make a parking donation of £1 for a day, or buy a season ticket for £20.

No-one is under any obligation to make a donation but any donations will be reinvested in the park. Everyone is still welcome to use the park, regardless of whether they make a donation or not and you won't be charged or fined if you don't buy a ticket.

• Buy a season ticket

Green Flag

Sconce and Devon Park has been successful in gaining a Green Flag award in recognition of its range of facilities, maintenance standards and opportunities for community involvement.

Friends of Sconce and Devon Park

The Friends of Sconce and Devon Park is a group of volunteers who assist the council with the management and maintenance of the park. The Friends meet every other month and new members are always welcome.