The Governors House
23-24 Stodman St, Newark NG24 1AW
The Governor’s House: 550 Years of Power, Plots, and Pastries
If walls could talk, the timber-framed façade of The Governor’s House would have enough stories to fill a Tudor soap opera. Built in 1474, this Grade I listed building is one of Newark’s oldest surviving structures and a living monument to the town’s turbulent and triumphant past.
Constructed during the late medieval period, the house was originally the residence of a wealthy merchant—one who clearly wanted the neighbours to know it. The building flaunts close-studded timber framing, three jettied storeys, and decorative billeting on the bressumers (that’s fancy carving on the horizontal beams, for those not fluent in medieval swagger)
Inside, the first floor was a solar—a grand living space with 16th-century painted decoration and vertical sliding shutters. Around 1500, a rear wing was added, featuring a full-height hall, visible today via the passageway to the left. This was no humble home—it was a statement piece.
The Governor’s House truly earned its name during the English Civil War (1642–1646). Newark was a Royalist stronghold, and the house became the headquarters for the town’s military governors during the sieges of 1643 and 1646. Its sturdy construction and strategic location made it a vital command post
It even hosted King Charles I, who stayed here during his visits. Legend has it he used the now-famous long-drop toilet, discovered behind a wall during restoration. Yes, you can sip a cappuccino today in the same building where a king once... well, you get the idea
One of the most dramatic episodes occurred in 1645, when Charles quarrelled with his nephew Prince Rupert over the surrender of Bristol. Although Rupert was cleared of wrongdoing, his ally Sir Richard Willys was about to be dismissed as Governor of Newark. The tension escalated to the point where swords were allegedly drawn—a royal family spat with real edge.
To spare the Governor’s boots from Market Place muck, a diagonal path was laid from the house to the south door of the Parish Church. That path still exists today, marked by metal studs—a literal royal shortcut.
After the Civil War, the house saw centuries of changing fortunes. It passed through various owners, survived the odd neglectful century, and was eventually rescued in 1987 by Guy St John Taylor Associates, who restored it with the care of a museum curator and the flair of a heritage-loving wizard. The restoration preserved its historic integrity while adapting it for modern use
Today, the Governor’s House is home to a family run Cafe, where you can enjoy a flat white in a room once occupied by kings and colonels. The café is known for its warm welcome, excellent coffee, and homemade cakes that would make even a Roundhead smile.
The newly opened attic event space is also worth a look—perfect for private gatherings, literary salons, or reenacting 17th-century sword fights (I would check with them on this as the insurance and safely may be a grey area ). Check their Facebook page for updates.
And if you're interested in the varied, and ludicrous history of Newark going back 14,000 years check out my new book "Newark-on-Trent: A Sometimes Witty Journey Through Time" available here www.newarkguide.co.uk/shop