Newark Heritage Barge
Riverside Park, Tolney Lane, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1BZ
The unpowered (dumb) barge Leicester Trader was saved from being scrapped in 2008 by local enthusiasts. The barge was identified as not only the last of its type to be built, but also the last to be towed on our river, carrying cargo in a way little changed for a hundred years. We tell the story of the evolution of successive types of River Trent barge, since the first navigation acts in the late 1700's. The first barges built similar to Leicester Trader were built in Newark as wooden sailing barges around 1900 and last year we acquired a builders half model of one built in 1904. We also have a new model of the last Trent Navigation Co. towing barge, made by a man who worked on her. The archive collections comprising models, tools, equipment, photograph collections and films are on show in the former cargo hold. We also explain life on board in the days when complete families were brought up in the cabins. We have developed a Key stage 2 learning pack for schools. We are able to show supervised children how sails and cargoes were lifted and during lockdown we created a typical children's side 'bedhole' in the aft cabin and children can climb in to imagine what it was like. This years theme will be Newark's Sailing Barges.
Timings & Tours
- Friday 06 September:
- 1100-1600
- Saturday 07 September:
- 1100-1600
- Sunday 08 September:
- 1100-1600
- Friday 13 September:
- 1100-1600
- Saturday 14 September:
- 1100-1600
- Sunday 15 September:
- 1100-1600
Location & directions
Riverside Park, Tolney Lane, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1BZ
- Directions:
- The barge will be moored opposite Newark Castle.
- Contact on day:
- Les Reid
- Telephone number:
- +447971589612
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
Accessibility details
Access to the hold of the barge is by gangway and house type stairway approx 2 metres down. Please note on Sunday 15th there will also be a charity dragon boat race at the same location so will be busy.
Additional information
Our project lead Les Reid will be on board and may be able to help with any family history enquiries. He has sixty years of river knowledge.
- Est. tour duration:
- 1 hour(s) 30 minute(s)
