Sconce and Devon Park is the largest of Newark’s parks – named after the River Devon and the Queen’s Sconce, the latter being the best preserved earthwork fort in Europe. The Queen’s Sconce, named after Queen Henrietta, is a star shaped earthwork over 3 acres in size; used to defend Royalist Newark during the Civil War. It was widely acknowledged that Newark was the ‘Key to the North’ and whoever held the town would be in control of the nation. When Newark fell in 1646 it was such as devastating blow that King Charles surrendered soon after. Barker Langham has worked with the Council over 4 years to develop funding bids and implement the plans for interpretation, activities, promotion and events for this important site.
