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Newark Castle - Newark, Nottinghamshire
A Castle which is rarely investigated with a bloody history of Murder Treason and Suicide

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Newark Castle is a truly haunted castle with a terrifying and bloody history. Tales of murder, treason, suicide and the black arts await those brave enough to venture here after dark and your ghost hunt in the many rooms, dungeons and corridors are sure to leave you feeling truly terrified. Newark Castle offers a ghost hunt like no other and this haunted Castle has regular reports of paranormal activity and ghostly sightings. Join the Haunted Happenings team as we venture inside and attempt to make contact with the spirits and ghosts that still lurk within.

Newark Castle

Ghosts Of Newark Castle


In the early 1900s a Castle Ranger was found swinging by the neck in the King's Bedroom and tour guides have reported witnessing the ghost of this poor soul, twitching and jolting as if struggling for breath. In the Dungeon, hushed voices have been heard at night and loud chanting has been said to echo from the empty chambers, along with screams and shouting from the curtain wall. Those brave enough to descend into the Oubliette in which many poor souls were left to die in the most horrible conditions may encounter the feeling of oppression which has been reported on many occasions.

History of Newark Castle


The castle was built in 1133 by Alexander, Bishop of Lincoln and it remained a seat of the Bishops of Lincoln until 1547, when King Henry VIII took it for the Crown. During the Civil War it became an important Royalist garrison but on 5 May 1646 King Charles I was captured at nearby Southwell and ordered Newark to surrender; the Parliamentarians subsequently set about destroying the Castle so that it could never be used as a Royalist stronghold ever again.

King John visited the castle at least six times and died here on 18th October 1216. A thunderstorm swept over Sherwood the night he died and was later described in its ferocity as "the Devil himself coming to claim King John's soul". Accusations of poisoning were rife following his death, with the Pope himself being cited as possibly having given the order. A local Robin Hood story has Friar Tuck poisoning King John in retaliation for the murder of Maid Marian. 

In a charter generally thought to date to 1135, King Henry I granted the Bishop of Lincoln permission to build a castle. Alexander also established a mint at the castle. This early castle was most likely of timber construction, and was rebuilt in stone towards the end of the century. King John died after a feast at this castle on the night of 18 October 1216 from dysentery.

The castle was slighted in 1648 and left derelict. Between 1845 and 1848 architect Anthony Salvin restored the castle, and in 1889 the corporation of Newark purchased the building and carried out further restoration work. The castle is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, a "nationally important" historic building and archaeological site which has been given protection against unauthorised change. It is also a Grade I listed building (first listed in 1950) and recognised as an internationally important structure. The Gilstrap Heritage Centre is located on the castle grounds. The centre features exhibits about the castle, and the town's history during the English Civil Wars.

In a charter generally thought to date to 1135, King Henry I granted the Bishop of Lincoln permission to build a castle. Alexander also established a mint at the castle. This early castle was most likely of timber construction, and was rebuilt in stone towards the end of the century. King John died after a feast at this castle on the night of 18 October 1216 from dysentery.

The castle was slighted in 1648 and left derelict. Between 1845 and 1848 architect Anthony Salvin restored the castle, and in 1889 the corporation of Newark purchased the building and carried out further restoration work. The castle is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, a "nationally important" historic building and archaeological site which has been given protection against unauthorised change.

It is also a Grade I listed building (first listed in 1950) and recognised as an internationally important structure. The Gilstrap Heritage Centre is located on the castle grounds. The centre features exhibits about the castle, and the town's history during the English Civil Wars.


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