Queen's Sconce and Devon Park, Newark
Nottinghamshire
Sconce and Devon Park is Newark's largest open space, and at its heart sits the Queen's Sconce, a star-shaped earthwork fort thrown up in 1646 to defend the Royalist garrison of King Charles I at Newark Castle during the First Civil War, and today its open grass gives a dog with good recall room to run. Historic England describes it as the country's finest remaining example of Civil War military engineering, and its ramparts, 120 by 133 metres and up to 9 metres high, were built with gravel dug from the River Devon below. This short circuit of about 2.1km runs from the car park up and over the sconce, where a bridge crosses the old ditch, then drops along a lane to Devon Pastures Local Nature Reserve and follows the River Devon on a paved path back to the start. It is flat apart from the ramparts, and the paths suit prams and wheelchairs.
This is a dog friendly park popular with local dog walkers, with large areas of open grass and woodland where a dog with good recall can have a run. Keep your dog on a lead around the play area, cafe and football pitches, and under close control in Devon Pastures, where the council asks owners not to let dogs disturb wildlife. The River Devon gives a chance for a drink, but banks can flood after heavy rain. Parking is free, with a voluntary donation, and Rumbles cafe and public toilets are beside the car park.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 2.1 km (1.3 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 40 min
- Walk Type
- Historic, Park, River
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- Rumbles cafe and public toilets by the car park; play area, fitness trail and visitor centre.
- Parking
- Sconce and Devon Park car park off Boundary Road, Newark and Sherwood District Council, free (voluntary donation), 2.2 m height barrier, closes in the evening.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Queen's Sconce and Devon Park, Newark, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Honies Farm Barns - The Barley Store
Sleeps 4 · 1 dog · Enclosed garden
from £581 / 7 nights
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All dog friendly stays in NottinghamshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Queen's Sconce and Devon Park, Newark dog friendly?
Yes, Sconce and Devon Park is a popular spot with local dog walkers and earns a 7/10 for dog friendliness. There are large areas of open grass and woodland to explore, the River Devon offers a chance for a drink along the way, and parking is free (with a voluntary donation).
Can dogs be off lead at Queen's Sconce and Devon Park, Newark?
Dogs with good recall can enjoy some off-lead time on the open grass areas, including up and over the Queen's Sconce earthwork itself. However, keep your dog on the lead around the play area, café and football pitches, and keep them under close control in Devon Pastures Local Nature Reserve, where the council asks owners not to let dogs disturb wildlife.
What should I know before visiting Queen's Sconce and Devon Park, Newark with my dog?
The main loop is around 2.1km and flat apart from the ramparts, so it's an easy outing for most dogs. The River Devon can flood after heavy rain, so the banks may be slippery or inaccessible depending on conditions. The car park off Boundary Road is free with a voluntary donation, but note it has a 2.2 metre height barrier and closes in the evening.
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