Itinerary Planner

Newark Two Day Itinerary

With one of the finest Georgian market squares in the UK, an iconic castle and two museums, there’s plenty to see and do in Newark. This two-day itinerary takes you to some of the most popular sites – and a couple of our favourite hidden gems - so you can get a flavour of what this historic town has to offer.

This useful trail gives you a handy list with everything you need to plan your trip, including travel times, addresses, and links to the listing pages to find out more about the attractions. To begin creating your itinerary, click the 'Add All Items to Itinerary' button and from there, you can either keep all the destinations in the pre-prepared list, or amend the itinerary by clicking on the places you are interested in. You can then rename, email, or print the list so it’s always to hand. You can also save your itinerary to view on your mobile phone and tablet.

Day 1 | Morning

Check in to Orchard Hill Farm, which offers several charming self-catering holiday cottages at the edge of the small rural North Nottinghamshire village of Askham. You can expect a tranquil and relaxing atmosphere on this livestock and arable farm, surrounded by pleasant country lanes, fields and woods, and just a short walk from the village. The cottages are spacious and open plan with traditional country furnishings.

Kickstart your trip with a visit to the National Civil War Centre, which will plunge you deep into the heart of Britain’s deadliest conflict. Explore this richly dramatic era in British history and its stories of gunpowder, plague and plot. Discover for yourself the clash between Roundhead and Royalist, brother and brother, and uncover the causes, major conflicts and nationwide consequences of the British Civil Wars as well as a fascinating focus on life in a town besieged three times from 1643 to 1646.

Day 1 | Afternoon

A five-minute walk away is the Ram Bar & Brasserie, housed in an elegant Georgian building opposite the ruins and grounds of the beautiful Newark castle. With ingredients sourced locally by bespoke suppliers serving a wide variety of pizzas, tapas, mains as well as deserts - you'llbe spoilt for choice! 

It’s time for a stroll around Newark Market, a cobbled marketplace which provides a focal point for the town. It hosts regular market days when visitors can buy local produce, antiques and much more. Depending on the day of your visit, you’ll find either a collectors / antique market (Monday, except bank holidays) or a general retail market (open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday).

Next, visit Newark Town Hall Museum and Art Gallery. This is one of the finest town halls in the country, designed in Palladian style in 1774 and housing a fine collection of civic treasures and fine art. See the original Georgian features in the imposing Council Chamber, the Mayor’s Parlour and the elegant Assembly Room, restored in 1990 to its 18th century splendour.

Day 1 | Evening

Head to The Horse and Plough for your evening meal which is an 18 minute drive away. This hugely renowned pub in the heart of Bingham is well reputed for its excellent food both downstairs in the pub and in the upstairs restaurant, as well as high quality ales, lagers, craft beers, 50+ bottles and wines, not to mention being the Vale of Belvoir CAMRA Pub of the Year 2017. Choose from an impressive array of vegan beers and food dishes, including favourites such as Fish and Chips and Teriyaki Tempeh.

Walk off your dinner with a sunset visit to Newark Castle and Gardens; lovely, formal gardens bordered by the remaining walls of Newark Castle which has stood proudly on the banks of the River Trent for nearly 900 years. During your visit, relax in the quiet garden areas and admire the picturesque views.

Day 2 | Morning

Start your day the right way with a delicious breakfast at Carriages Café. This Grade II listed station was built in the Italianate style in 1846 and has been sympathetically restored to its former glory.  It’s now a beautiful Victorian styled cafe and bar with chandeliers, nostalgic steampunk decor, sash windows and stone fireplaces.  Indulge in a filling bowl of porridge or granola with 3 toppings (we recommend the decadent cream, maple syrup and seasonal fruits).

After breakfast it’s time for a visit to Newark Air Museum, located on the former World War II airfield of Winthorpe. Its diverse collection of more than 90 aircraft and cockpit sections covers the history of aviation and is one the largest volunteer managed aviation museums in Great Britain. Open 361 days of the year the museum now has extensive under cover displays, including two aircraft display halls that house more than 48 aircraft and helicopters. This means that visitors can find something to see or do whatever the weather.

Day 2 | Afternoon

Next, visit Newark Church to see if you can spot the Civil War Cannonball Hole. The spire on Newark Parish Church dates back to around 1220 and as the fierce battles of the English Civil War raged, it was used as a look-out post. Today, there is a hole in the spire where a Parliamentarian cannonball is said to have hit it in 1644.

For lunch head to The Crew Yard Cafe and Bistro where you can enjoy delicious homemade lunch or light snack surrounded by the interesting wall art and sculptures of the extensive Budby Antiques Vintage Emporium.

After lunch visit the Museum of Timekeeping which is home to an extraordinary collection of timepieces, watches and clocks. Located in the stunning grade II listed Upton Hall visitors are able to explore the beautiful grounds and stunning grand rooms. 

Day 2 | Evening

Round off your trip with a couple of craft beers and an evening meal at the Fox and Crown, Newark, once a traditional real ale pub. Situated just across the road from St Marys Church in a conservation area, this interesting, historic and higgledy-piggledy pub is a sure taste of the 1940s. They offer a range of up to ten cask ales, ten traditional craft beers, as well as cider, bottles, wine, spirits and soft drinks, perfectly enjoyed with one of their sharing dishes - we love the generous Ploughman’s Platter or, for the vegetarian, the Mediterranean-inspired Veggie Platter!