Victorian House (Demolished 2012/3 NSDC Planning Ref: 12/01377/DEM Demolition of Nursing Home)

Substantial Victorian house built in 1875 for local solicitor Mr William Newton who lived there until his death in 1899 aged 69. Newton Street in the town is named after him as he played a significant role in the development of the town. Sales advert in Granthan Journal 17th May 1957 described the residence as “substantial…(5 b., 4 recept.. C.heating) with lodge and stables and noted gardens”. In the early 1960s the house was renamed Beacon Heights and used as a care home. It was later sold and reopened under the name Park View. The Newark Advertiser of 1st May 1987 reported on the theft of the ornamental white cast iron urns from the gardens. (1)

The house occupied a central positon on a plot stretching north-south between Beacon Hill Road and Clay Lane. A north lodge survives relatively intact on Beacon Hill Road, while the south lodge on Clay Lane is much altered. (2)

Reported to have been built in 1875 by William Newton. A contemporary report praised his vision: “The view is one of unusual attractiveness and with the same wisdom with which Mr Newton chose the site, he built his entrance lodge, erected his greenhouses, made his avenue, planted his orchard and gardens and arranged the plan of the mansion so as to give the maximum comfort and convenience in every part.” In 1955, Hillside was bought by the Pykett family and became Newark’s first residential care home…(3)

Associated stable see MNT28981

<1> J Buckley (NCC), Observations by Janine Buckley MA (NCC) (Personal comment). SNT5239.

<2> OS, 1884, 1:2500, County Series 1884 (Map). SNT1047.

<3> British Newapaper Archive, British Newspaper Archive (Website). SNT6086.