Newark Castle
12 minute walk from Port Glasgow station · Glasgow and West Central
Newark Castle is a well-preserved historic site located on the south shore of the River Clyde in Port Glasgow. Built in 1478 by George Maxwell, this impressive landmark originally featured a tower house and walled enclosure. Today, it stands as a property of Historic Environment Scotland.
The site is significant for its 16th-century expansion into a three-storey Renaissance mansion. You can explore Scottish baronial features, including crow-stepped gables and corbelled turrets. The castle’s history is filled with intrigue, from the notorious Sir Patrick Maxwell to tenants who once kept big cats and bears in the cellars.
Visitors can enjoy excellent facilities and scenic views across the Clyde. You can see the original gatehouse, the north east tower converted into a doocot, and the mansion's main hall. The landscaped grounds also preserve the stump of a historic dule tree.
Visitor information
- Place type
- Castle
- Good for
- Architecture, Castles, Historic houses, Scenic viewpoints
- Characteristics
- Medieval, Riverside, Walled
- Admission
- Paid admission
- Region
- Glasgow and West Central
Stations within walking distance
- Port Glasgow station — 12 min walk, 1.0 km
- Woodhall station — 23 min walk, 1.8 km
- Bogston station — 31 min walk, 2.4 km