Sconce and Devon Park Getting there Walk: the park is a 5-10 minute walk from the centre of Newark. Bus: the number 77 from Lombard Street in Newark stops at Valley Prospect which is a minute from the park. Train: the nearest train stations are Newark North Gate and Newark Castle which are both 20-25 minutes from the park. There is a free car park and bike racks. Further Information The cafe is open 7 days a week from April to September. It is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays from October to March. The park is open at all times although the car parks are locked at dusk each day. For information please contact: 01636 681 331. A Guide to Sconce and Devon Park can be purchased from the Park Management Building. For information on volunteering projects and upcoming events please contact: Park Ranger Park Management Building Tel: 01636 655 718 History of Sconce and Devon Park Sconce and Devon Park’s earliest history begins with the 14th century legend of St Catherine’s Well, a tale involving bloodshed, redemption and the appearance of a mystery spring following a romantic dual. During the First English Civil War (1642-1646), the Queen’s Sconce was the Royalist’s southern stronghold for the town of Newark in their defence against the Parliamentarians. The Sconce itself is one of the best surviving examples of 17th century military engineering in the country. Britain’s great Industrial Revolution during the 19th and early 20th centuries was present both along the banks of the River Devon and across what is now Sconce Hills Park. In the 20th century the park was also home to soldiers during both the First and Second World Wars. Sconce and Devon Park has been a recreational facility since the first land was purchased by Newark Borough Council in 1912 and is now Newark’s largest open space. Sconce and Devon Park Habitats Sconce and Devon Park is home to a variety of habitats including: riverside, pastures, woodlands, grasslands and an orchard. Although some rare plant species, such as the flowering rush, are found in the park, the greatest feature is the diverse range of species within such a small area. The area is rich in a variety of plant life from tall oaks to small herbs and grasses. Butterflies and dragonflies are in abundance. A range of birds including kingfishers, swans and thrushes can be spotted. Sconce and Devon Park Where history and nature meet in Newark’s largest open space A1 A1 A17 A617 River Trent To Sleaford North South To Lincoln To Nottingham To Mansfield River Trent River Devon Newark Sconce and Devon Park A46 A46 www.sconceanddevonpark.org