Nottinghamshire
Art, History & Archaeology Sites & Museums

Probably a Norman motte-and-bailey fort to begin with, Newark Castle underwent substantial expansion in the mid-12th century under its then owner, the Bishop of Lincoln. Amid his feud with the Pope, King John later confiscated the site, and later died during a visit to the castle in 1216. Additions were made throughout the later Middle Ages, and it was again confiscated by the crown following the dissolution of the monasteries. A royalist stronghold during the English Civil War, it was part demolished following the parliamentarian victory. Current appearance owes much to 19th century restoration.

During the Middle Ages, Newstead Abbey was a priory of Augustinian canons, but like other monastic centres it fell to King Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries. While the abbey was sold off and transformed into a luxury private home, the west front of the building preserves the older medieval façade. Between 1808 and 1814, Newstead Abbey was the residence of Lord Byron, the famous Romantic poet, and today’s visitors can still find many objects associated with him inside its walls. There are also attractive grounds surrounding the building itself.