34089
Newark on Trent in Nottinghamshire
Newark’s importance derives from its location at the intersection of major communication routes: the River Trent, the Roman Fosse Way and the Great North Road. Newark became a substantial inland port, particularly for the wool trade, and later its position on main roads encouraged the development of inns and hostelries to sustain the many travellers passing through the town. The arrival of the railways in the 1840s gave further stimulus to Newark’s economic growth.
The early history of Newark is stubbornly elusive. Remains of Roman settlement have been identified at Northgate, near the road bridge over the East Coast railway line and a considerable amount of Roman pottery was found during the excavations at the castle during the 1990s. However, the full size and character of the settlement remains unknown.
A large pagan Anglo-Saxon cemetery has been uncovered in Millgate and a Christian cemetery dating from c.950 to c.1070 was discovered at the castle. It has traditionally been assumed that the Saxon borough probably occupied the area of the later Medieval town as defined by the defences following the rectangle of streets (Lombard Street, Carter Gate and Appleton Gate, Slaughter House Lane and the west side of Castle Gate). However, excavations on the defences in the 1970s found no trace of Saxon activity and the archaeologists concluded that the Saxon borough occupied a much smaller area within the town.
The ruins of Newark Castle have had a huge influence on the unique character of the town. Though the current remains were built in the early 12th century, there has been a castle on the site since 1068. Left in ruins by a turbulent history, the grounds were landscaped in 1887.
Newark’s market place is overlooked by the Georgian Town Hall. The town has become famous for its six annual antiques fairs, held at Newark County Showground, and thousands of antique hunters from across the world descend on the fair’s 4,000 stalls in search of a bargain.
Information Sources
www.nottsheritagegateway.org.uk/places/newark.htm
&
www.visit-nottinghamshire.co.uk/explore/newark-p453391
34089
Newark on Trent in Nottinghamshire
Newark’s importance derives from its location at the intersection of major communication routes: the River Trent, the Roman Fosse Way and the Great North Road. Newark became a substantial inland port, particularly for the wool trade, and later its position on main roads encouraged the development of inns and hostelries to sustain the many travellers passing through the town. The arrival of the railways in the 1840s gave further stimulus to Newark’s economic growth.
The early history of Newark is stubbornly elusive. Remains of Roman settlement have been identified at Northgate, near the road bridge over the East Coast railway line and a considerable amount of Roman pottery was found during the excavations at the castle during the 1990s. However, the full size and character of the settlement remains unknown.
A large pagan Anglo-Saxon cemetery has been uncovered in Millgate and a Christian cemetery dating from c.950 to c.1070 was discovered at the castle. It has traditionally been assumed that the Saxon borough probably occupied the area of the later Medieval town as defined by the defences following the rectangle of streets (Lombard Street, Carter Gate and Appleton Gate, Slaughter House Lane and the west side of Castle Gate). However, excavations on the defences in the 1970s found no trace of Saxon activity and the archaeologists concluded that the Saxon borough occupied a much smaller area within the town.
The ruins of Newark Castle have had a huge influence on the unique character of the town. Though the current remains were built in the early 12th century, there has been a castle on the site since 1068. Left in ruins by a turbulent history, the grounds were landscaped in 1887.
Newark’s market place is overlooked by the Georgian Town Hall. The town has become famous for its six annual antiques fairs, held at Newark County Showground, and thousands of antique hunters from across the world descend on the fair’s 4,000 stalls in search of a bargain.
Information Sources
www.nottsheritagegateway.org.uk/places/newark.htm
&
www.visit-nottinghamshire.co.uk/explore/newark-p453391