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• Hidden dungeons provide educational thrill

• Date:

  14th June 2008

• Contact:

  Sarah Egerton

• Organisation:

  The Civic Trust

Green Flag Award winning Newark Castle & Gardens in Nottinghamshire has much to entertain visitors but the most exciting aspect has to be the fantastically preserved hidden dungeons where the maximum life expectancy of its prisoners was a mere two and a half months…

Castle and Parks Ranger Rene Mouraille explains: “While the majority of people regard castles as places of defence, we tend to forget that they were multi- functional establishments. Castles served not only to subdue the surrounding countryside and population, but they also served as private residences, administration centres, local mints and prisons.

“Conditions inside these early prisons were grim to say the least, with a maximum life expectancy of two and a half months, and the dark, festering dungeons of Newark Castle no doubt claimed many victims.”

Newark Castle has four surviving dungeons and the remains of a fifth in the central tower. The oldest dungeon is under the southwest tower and is of Norman origin. The central tower houses a holding dungeon which was used to accommodate arrested felons prior to going to court. The northwest tower has several cells beneath its walls and floor, the first of which is rather large with a high ceiling; this dungeon is reputed to be one of the most haunted places in the castle. Next door to this chamber an oubliette (from the French for forgotten) is located beneath the southwest tower. All these dungeons reflect a time when the nation was still in its infancy and life for the ordinary person was little more than slavery.

Rene adds: “The world has changed beyond comprehension but people still retain a curious fascination about castles such as Newark. The dungeons are used as part of our tour package and we try to recreate an accurate story relating to this dark side of our national history. Sturdy footwear and clothing are recommended for this tour, together with a good head for heights and confined spaces!”

The ancient Castle of Newark has had many nicknames, including ‘Guardian of the Trent’, ‘Gateway to the North’ or simply the ‘Old Grey Lady’.

Today, the site continues to be a valuable recreational, educational and social resource for both local people and visitors from further afield.  The Friends of Newark Castle & Gardens have also been active over the last year and have been involved in planning for the preservation and interpretation of the historic ‘Romanesque’ arch situated in the Castle’s undercroft and the erection of a flagpole on the Castle’s gatehouse tower. 

Improvements for 2006 included the opening up of a third dungeon, funded by the local Strategic Partnership, the opening of the Newark Civil War Heritage Trail (which starts in the Castle Gardens) and improvements to the public toilets in the Gilstrap Heritage Centre.