Sconce and Devon Park

This historic Green Flag awarded park provides top-class facilities for visitors and locals alike.

The park now has a ranger, toilets, cafe and play area, new footpaths and signs guiding visitors around the park to explain its history and ecology and a new bridge for pedestrian access to the Queen's Sconce - a 17th century Civil War fortification.

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Your Council

Covid-19 July Update

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.

Sconce and Devon Park is open
Rumbles cafe is offering an outdoor 'take-away' service when the weather allows
The public toilets are opening on Monday 6 July
The play ground is opening on Monday 6 July
The senior and junior parkrun events at Sconce and Devon Park have been cancelled
Forest Schools and many other park events 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 channels.

In line with Government guidance

if you have a high temperature, or new continuous cough, please postpone your visit to the park
Please also ensure that you practice good hand hygiene
No team games or large groups activities
Stay 2m apart from one another and be considerate of others
Use the park and open space responsibly for your daily exercise
Please do not drop litter but use the bins provided to reduce the spread of germs

Using playgrounds during Covid-19

If the playground you visit has not yet officially been opened, please do not attempt to use, or access the equipment or area
If the playground is busy, consider coming back at a later time. Talk to your children about this possibility before visiting
Social distancing should be followed and groups of parents and children should stay 2 metres apart if possible
The virus can be transmitted when you touch surfaces. If children use a playground they should be extra careful about hand hygiene and everyone should use an alcohol based hand sanitiser immediately before and after using the play equipment
Do not use playgrounds if you have Covid-19 symptoms such as a fever, cough, shortness of breath or lack or taste or smell
Encourage children to catch coughs or sneezes with a tissue or on their sleeve, not hands. Put tissues and used gloves in the bin
Remind children not to touch their face, eyes, nose or mouth
We recommend no eating and drinking in the play area for safety
The play equipment is inspected regularly but it is not sanitised
Consider bringing your own hygiene products to clean touch points such as swing chains and equipment handles
Do not drop litter, use the bins provided for all waste
We need all parents and children to behave responsibly in our playgrounds to prevent the spread of the virus

Spring update from Ranger George

The park is full of beautiful cherry blossom and areas of the park that are normally mown but have been left are now full of wildflowers. This has been noted and is a learning point for future years.

Cuckoo flowers have shot up and can be seen in the lower areas of grassland. These are a great early food source for butterflies such as the orange-tip.

Ranger George has recorded sightings of orange-tip, peacocks and brimstone butterflies. There is a great deal of bird activity too as our feathered friends are all busy making nests. George has surveyed a lot of blackcaps recently and has seen an increase in numbers from last spring which is great news.

Newark in Bloom has kindly donated 200 cowslips which George has planted in our new wildflower areas. These will spread in time and be another good early nectar and food source for pollinating insects.

cowslips at Sconce and Devon Park

Nature inspired activities for kids

Here’s a round-up of some great resources for smart and curious kids to help inspire an interest in nature and a commitment to looking after our planet.

Get the family gardening with the RHS
Let’s get Greening Great Britain
Giving nature a home near you with garden activities to try from the RSPB
Get a Friends of the Earth Planet Protectors pack
10 Nature activities for kids if you’re self-isolating at home from the Woodland Trust
30 Days Wild with the Wildlife Trusts
Let's Ride Local with British Cycling
Build a bug hotel from the RSPB
Earth School

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.

Sconce and Devon Park events 2020

Parkrun 9am every Saturday‌ - currently suspended until at least the end of June
Junior parkrun 9am every Sunday - currently suspended until at least the end of June
Midland Kite Fliers Sunday 14 June - cancelled
East Midlands Classic Vehicle Club show Sunday 2 August - cancelled
Sconcefest Sunday 20 September

Forest school

NEW to our parks in Newark and Clipstone

Book places for our new outdoor learning programme with park rangers George and Matt.

Forest School

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.