This is an example of a late nineteenth century terraced worker's cottage. So, although it has been given some mod-cons I try to offer simple & homely but comfortable accommodation. There are still reminders of its origin: the steep stairs which make it unsuitable for young children or those with reduced mobility; the old wash-house & lavatory buildings beyond the garden - now sheds & not accessible to guests - where the copper was housed & the weekly wash done ( you can see them from the main bedroom window); the small garden, once the back-yard where that washing was hung out to dry (there's now an extendable line where you can hang yours out & a clothes prop too); the coal shoot, now covered up, below the sitting room window ; the cellar, not accessible to guests, where at one time maybe the famous Newark smock was woven; the sitting room, once the parlour where visitors were received; the sun room (once the scullery); the kitchen where family life went on. There, where I hope you will find everything you need, family life can still go on around the pine table on cartwheel backed chairs or in the sitting room watching TV together or in the sun room quietly reading a book.

I was born in the old hospital in Newark, grew up on a farm nearby & went to school in the town. After a few years work in London I married someone from the south coast of England & then spent most of my life working abroad indulging my interests of travel,conversation, food & history. At one stage I persuaded my husband to buy a small house as a bolt hole to go home to. Strangely enough, as fate would have it, the most appropriate place was in Newark. We furnished it with traditional local pine furniture & then let it out for years. It was only when I became a widow that I went back to see my family & decided to renovate the house for my own use for part of the year. My next-door neighbour who runs a housekeeping business, persuaded me to let it out as a holiday let when I am not there. So, she not only looks after the house & does the change-overs but is on hand to help guests when the need arises. I look after the bookings on my computer; it gives me pleasure to be in touch with my guests & I am always pleased to hear their comments be they good or bad. Luckily, so far they have been good. Let's hope we can continue to provide happy & comfortable stays.

We are almost opposite Sconce-Devon Park where you can follow an exercise trail, take your dog for a run, keep an eye on the kids in the playground or sit & watch the world go by over a coffee or a snack at Rumbolds. The Devon is a small river which you can admire together with its wildlife, there are also wooden statues of civil war soldiers, & a monument to the Round Britain Cycle Race. However, the main attraction is the Queen's Sconce, a well preserved Civil War earthwork complete with a replica cannon. Newark, was besieged 3 times during the Civil War & houses the National Civil War Centre which is well worth a visit. On the far side of the park, is the river Trent with its Marina & a large inland dry dock. Take a walk down Mill Gate saying hello to the horses that live on the water meadows & find a riverside pub or real ale at the Blue Monkey Brewery . Now you are only 5mins from the town centre with its Georgian town hall & museum & cobbled marketplace (regular markets), its spired parish church & its alleyways full of boutiques & tea rooms. Or you can continue along the river to the ruined castle and see the room where the bad king John of the Robin Hood legend, died, visit the dungeons or just enjoy the gardens. At times there are concerts or open air theatre performances there as well as boat trips down the river. Further along the river past the bridge you can see the 19th century Ossington Coffee House built by the Countess in an attempt to lure farmers from the local pubs. Just below it, by the Wharf where barges once loaded & unloaded , you can get a beer on the barge that is moored there.