360 years after Parliament’s guns fell silent – the UK’s first ever National Civil War Centre opens to the public on 3 May in Newark
It may have been Britain’s deadliest war – five percent of England’s population was wiped out – and one which shaped our nation more than any other.
But until now there has been no visitor and learning centre dedicated to telling the complete story of the Britain’s Civil War.
Now that is set to change.
The £5.4m National Civil War Centre uses a treasure trove of recently discovered historic documents, eyewitness reports, artifacts, multi-media displays and films to re-tell the epic tale – how it started and the lasting effects the struggle has exerted on our nation.
Artifacts going on show include a musket ball ridden breastplate – which proved fatal to its wearer – rare coins minted under siege and the jacket worn by the man who took Charles I to the scaffold.
This is the UK’s first centre of its kind – housed in a remarkable Tudor grammar school which survived three sieges of Newark by Parliament between 1644 and 1646. The building includes graffiti penned by school boys as long as 1608.
The Magnum Agency is also unveiling a unique debut exhibition tracing modern Civil War conflicts through the work of some of the world’s greatest war photographers – linking past and present.
Newark is a lovely historic market town located just off the A1 in Nottinghamshire and is so easy to reach.
Your groups can follow the UK’s first new interactive Newark Civil War Trail designed for smart phones and tablets. An easy walk around Newark, covering approximately 1.5km, the trail takes in many of the key Civil War sites and uses cutting edge augmented reality and dramatic Hollywood-style footage filmed in Newark to tell vivid stories from the war.
Take a tour of Newark Castle – this ruined Castle was once an important defence positioned on the main road linking north and south in England. It was an important Royalist stronghold during the Civil War and visitors can book on a tour to discover this fascinating historic attraction.
Dine at The Prince Rupert – originally built in 1452, the historic pub is said to have been hit by a canon ball during the Civil War. Today, you’ll find a great line-up of real ales and fine wines alongside a mouth-watering menu, whilst using locally sourced produce wherever possible.
Stay at Kelham Country House Hotel or enjoy a sumptuous afternoon tea. This a beautiful country house hotel with an AA rosette restaurant, nestles in nine-acres of beautiful grounds midway between the historic towns of Southwell and Newark.
The British Civil Wars lasted from 1638 to 1653. They started in Scotland and ended in Ireland with iconic battles of Marston Moor and Naseby in between, along with the sieges of Newark. The fall of town and surrender of the King nearby signalled the end of the first stage of the struggle. The National Civil War Centre is a flagship project by Newark and Sherwood District Council and supported with £3.5m by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
www.nationalcivilwarcentre.com
www.facebook.com/NationalCivilWarCentre
