Visit the National Civil War Centre
The National Civil War Centre brings to life one of the most dramatic periods in British history, telling the story of a time shaped by conflict, belief, rivalry and change. Through powerful objects and personal stories, the galleries explore how the Civil Wars transformed the country we recognise today.
Step into the world of 17th‑century Britain and explore it through the experiences of those who lived it. Alongside our main galleries, families can enjoy a wide range of interactive displays, including our much‑loved dressing up area.
Opening Hours
Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm.
Open all year except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. When Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve fall on a normal opening day (Tues to Sat), we are open until midday.
Admission Prices
Admission is FREE for all Newark and Sherwood residents and young people, under 25.
Standard Admission
£8.50 - Adults
£7.50 - Concessions (65+ and Students)
Discounts
Discounted admission is available for members of:
- English Heritage
- Museums Association
- ArtFund
Annual Passes
Enjoy unlimited entry for one year with an Annual Pass:
- £15.95 - Adults
- £13.95 - Concessions (65+ and Students)
Annual Passes are ideal if you plan to visit more than once throughout the year!
Events and Activities
We run a varied programme of events and activities throughout the year, including family days, walking tours, talks and special events.
👉 Find out what’s on and book upcoming events on our Events page.
Object Trail
To help make heritage and culture more accessible, our Open Doors Team has created a colourful Object Trail highlighting a selection of fascinating objects from our galleries.
Designed by artist and illustrator Samantha Peberdy (Open Doors Artist in Residence, 2023), the trail is available in English, Polish and Arabic.
You can:
- Pick up a printed copy during your visit
- Download a PDF in advance:
If you would like to request information in another languages or format, please contact the team by emailing museums@nsdc.info.
Getting Here
Newark’s importance during the Civil Wars was shaped by its strategic location — halfway between London and York, on the Great North Road and at a key crossing of the River Trent.
Today, excellent road and rail connections make the town easy to reach.
Address
National Civil War Centre
14 Appletongate
Newark
Notts
NG24 1JY
For any other details regarding your visit, please contact museums@nsdc.info.
By Car
Newark is easily accessed via the A1 and A46.
If using sat nav, enter the postcode NG24 1JY.
- 30 to 40 mins from Lincoln, Nottingham and Doncaster.
- 1 hour from Derby, Leicester and Sheffield.
- 1.5 hours from Birmingham, Bradford, Coventry, Leeds and Hull.
Parking
There are two large car parks just a short walk from the Centre:
- Appletongate Car Park (NG24 1JR) – directly opposite
- London Road Car Park (NG24 1TN) – slightly further away
There is on-street blue badge parking directly outside the National Civil War Centre and a drop-off point just outside the museum entrance, with coach parking available just a few minutes drive away, on the edge of town.
Find more parking information here.
By Bus
Newark Bus Station is located on Lombard Street in the town centre, approximately 7 minutes’ walk from the museum.
To help plan your visit, please see the Newark and Lincoln Stagecoach timetable.
By Rail
Newark is served by two railway stations:
- Newark Northgate (East Coast Mainline)
- Newark Castle (East Midlands services)
Both stations are approximately 9 minutes' walk from the museum.
Approximate rail travel times:
- 30 minutes from Lincoln
- 40-45 minutes from Nottingham and York
- 1 hour from Leeds and Sheffield
- 1.5 hours from London
Bloomberg Connect interactive tour of the National Civil War Centre
Used by museums all over the world, the Bloomberg Connect app provides an interactive tour of the National Civil War Centre, allowing visitors a deeper dive into the fascinating objects in our galleries. Search for ‘Bloomberg Connects’ on the Apple App Store, Google Play Store or through the Bloomberg Connects website. Find out more about our self-guided tour via the Bloomberg Connects app on our website.