Newark & Sherwood District Council

With parks providing the perfect location for families during the school holidays, all four of Newark and Sherwood District Council’s parks have been recognised as some of the country’s best green spaces with prestigious Green Flag Awards.

Green Flag Awards recognise and reward the best parks in the country. Sconce and Devon Park, Newark, Sherwood Avenue Park, Newark, Newark Castle and Gardens and Vicar Water Country Park in Clipstone stood out after impressing the judges with their excellent use of green space, well-maintained facilities and high standard of safety and security.

Only green spaces that are free to enter and open to the public are eligible to win an award through the scheme, which is run by environmental charities Keep Britain Tidy, BTCV and GreenSpace.

The council’s cabinet member for clean and green, Cllr Nora Armstrong, is delighted the district’s parks have again been given the Green Flag seal of approval.

She said: “I’m a park user myself, often walking my dog in our lovely open, green spaces.

“The work carried out by our grounds maintenance teams and park rangers is excellent. They do a sterling job to keep them tidy, well maintained and accessible to everyone – something the Green Flag judges obviously agree with.

“Hopefully we’ll get a little more sunshine this summer so residents can get out in the fresh air and experience all that our parks have to offer, right on their doorstep, from leisure and relaxation space, to history and culture, not to mention safe environments for children to play in.

“The role of parks has moved on and they’re now community hubs for learning and entertainment, as well as a free resource for play and exercise.”

The council’s parks and amenities manager, Phil Beard, said: “We’ve had a very good year in all of our parks. We now have a new fitness trail in Sconce and Devon Park and a viewing platform at the highest point of Vicar Water Country Park, showing the direction of all the colliery sites visible from there across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

"We have some very enthusiastic and helpful friends groups at all of our parks and a Green Flag Award provides national recognition for the achievements of all those whose hard work and dedication has helped to create these fantastic places for all to enjoy.”

The council's grounds maintenance team looks after the parks and opens spaces which the council is responsible for, helping to keep them clean, cut the grass, plant and tend flower beds and trees and mark out and maintain sports pitches.

Our parks are at:

Sconce and Devon Park, Newark

This historic park has recently enjoyed a £1.6m improvement project and now provides top-class facilities for visitors and locals alike, including the historic Queen's Sconce - a fortification which is a remnant of the English Civil War.

Newark Castle and Gardens

Newark Castle Gardens are pretty, formal gardens bordered by the remaining walls of Newark Castle which was partly destroyed in 1646 at the end of the English Civil War. 

Sherwood Avenue Park

This popular town centre site has a wide range of sports and play facilities including a children’s play area, floodlit multi-use games area, skate park, tennis courts and a bowling green, as well as a pleasant green space to sit and enjoy the surroundings. 

Vicar Water Country Park

The park has been mainly formed on the site of former colliery spoil tips which has been transformed to heathland, woodland and grassland and offers spectacular views across to Derbyshire and Lincolnshire.

Riverside Park

Newark's Riverside Park is located alongside the River Trent, opposite Newark Castle, and contains open grassed areas, a popular children's playground, parking, public toilets, a refreshments kiosk (spring and summer only), an events area and riverside walks. Newark Tourist Information Centre is located in the corner of Riverside Arena car park. 

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