National Civil War Centre
Museum in Newark's Grade II* Old Magnus Buildings telling the story of the English Civil Wars through objects, interactives and a siege trail.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The National Civil War Centre in Newark-on-Trent opened on 3 May 2015. It tells the story of the English Civil Wars from start to finish, with a focus on ordinary people as well as soldiers and commanders. Material on the sieges of Newark forms an important part of the displays.
The centre occupies the Old Magnus Buildings, a Grade II* listed building of 1529 that began as a boys' grammar school founded with money from Thomas Magnus. The Newark and Sherwood District Council project to convert it was supported by a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of about £3.7 million. The work uncovered the Tudor roof and revealed school graffiti from 1608.
The displays combine objects, digital interpretation and a smartphone app. Highlights include a buff coat linked to Francis Hacker, who accompanied Charles I to the scaffold, and the battle plan used by Newark's Royalist commanders. The building also houses the Newark Museum galleries, which show the wider history of the town, from an Iron Age torc to the Byron Press.
Highlights
- Story of the English Civil Wars told from start to finish
- Buff coat linked to Francis Hacker
- Royalist battle plan for the defence of Newark
- Newark Museum galleries on the wider history of the town
- Augmented reality trail and object trail leaflet
- Tudor Hall in a Grade II* listed building
Permanent exhibitions
- The English Civil Wars – Galleries telling the story of the Civil Wars from start to finish, with objects such as a buff coat and a Royalist battle plan, and a focus on the experience of ordinary people and the sieges of Newark.
- Newark Museum galleries – Displays on the wider history of Newark, including an Iron Age torc, an Anglo-Saxon gold cross and the Byron Press.
- Founded
- 2015
- Operated by
- Newark and Sherwood District Council
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £8.50 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £7.50Aged 65 and over, and students |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 24 · Young people under 25 enter free. |
| Seniors | £7.50Aged 65 and over. |
| Students & apprentices | £7.50 |
| Annual pass, adult | £15.95 |
| Annual pass, concession (65+ and students) | £13.95 |
Entry is free for residents of Newark and Sherwood and for young people under 25. Members of English Heritage, the Museums Association and the Art Fund receive discounted admission.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Step-free access is available at the front and rear of the building, and lifts serve the galleries on floors 1, 3 and 5. The lifts are 1500 mm by 1400 mm with 900 mm doors; visitors in larger wheelchairs can use an alternative ramped route via the shop and courtyard on request. Accessible toilets are on floor -1 and in Café Nineteen20, and there is no Changing Places toilet on site (the nearest is about 300 m away). Two wheelchairs can be borrowed. The hearing loop is currently under maintenance. The Magnus Room is a quiet breakout space with beanbags and sensory toys, and a sensory backpack with ear defenders is available. Many staff are trained as Dementia Friends. A blue badge bay is in front of the museum.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 24 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
- Stroller-friendly
- Baby changing facilities
Family Saturday runs on the first Saturday of each month with crafts, activities and family tours, and Mini Museum toddler sessions run on Thursday mornings in term time (booking recommended). Galleries have a board game, touch screens, replica objects and a dressing-up area, and families can borrow puppets of Prince Rupert's dog Boye or Cromwell's horse Blackjack for a trail. Baby changing is in the museum and the café, and the café has room for pushchairs.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Newark Bus Station · 7-min walk
Newark Bus Station is about 7 minutes' walk away, and Newark Northgate and Newark Castle railway stations are each about 9 minutes' walk away.
By car
Parking available · 200 m to the entrance
Appletongate car park (NG24 1JR) is opposite, about 200 m away, and has two accessible spaces with a 3-hour limit; London Road car park (NG24 1TN) is slightly further. There is on-street blue badge parking directly outside, a drop-off point at the entrance, and coach parking on the edge of town.
- Accessible parking
Appletongate is in the centre of Newark-on-Trent.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant: not available
- Museum shop
- Wi-Fi
Café Nineteen20, open Tuesday to Saturday 10:00 to 15:00, serves light lunches, home-made cakes and coffee, has a children's menu and highchairs, and offers free Wi-Fi. There is courtyard seating in warmer weather. A museum shop sells gifts and books.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
- Weddings / ceremonies
The Tudor Hall and other spaces can be hired for celebrations, wedding receptions, conferences and meetings.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | A self-guided augmented reality trail and a paper National Civil War Trail are available, and an object trail leaflet exists in English, Polish and Arabic, with other formats on request. Group, tour and handling enquiries go through the museum email. |
