28/07/2025
Nottinghamshire might be a landlocked county, but you wouldn't know it with two summer beach destinations now accessible to all - Nottingham Beach in Old Market Square, Nottingham, and Newark On Sea in Newark Royal Market!
We are conveniently located roughly 35 minutes away by car from Nottingham and 25 minutes from Newark, so you can easily visit both even during a short break away.
Make the most of the good weather and enjoy the sun, sand and attractions, surrounded by the all-year-round food, drink and music venues.
Book direct via bit.ly/ruffordparklodge
Newark on Sea Returns to Newark This Summer – Bigger, Better, and Tastier Than Ever!
Newark Town Council is thrilled to announce the much-anticipated return of Newark on Sea, affectionately referred to as The Beach, outside the historic Town Hall, bringing sunshine, sand, and a whole host of fun to the heart of the town from Saturday 2nd August to Sunday 17th August 2025.
This year, The Beach is teaming up with Newark Festival of Food, offering an expanded programme of events focused on all things food – because who doesn’t love food?
Visitors can expect golden sand, deck chairs, buckets and spades, alongside a vibrant schedule of cooking demonstrations, interactive workshops, market stalls, and family-friendly entertainment delivered by Inspire and Newark Creates.
“We’re proud to bring Newark on Sea back for another year,” said Anna Lawson, Deputy Town Clerk, Newark Town Council. “The event continues to grow in popularity, and we’ve listened carefully to feedback to ensure this year offers something for everyone – from cooking enthusiasts and families to the neurodivergent community and those young at heart.”
A Beach for Everyone
New for 2025, the programme includes:
• Neurodiversity Days (Tuesday 5th & Tuesday 12th August): Sensory-friendly environments with reduced noise levels and accessible activities.
• Young at Heart Celebrations (5th & 10th August): Afternoon tea in the Colonnades (Tuesday 5th) and traditional fish and chips (Saturday 10th).
• Meat-Free Monday, Smoothie Bikes, and Wormery Workshops promoting healthy, sustainable food habits.
• Dance performances, Caribbean percussion workshops, and theatre shows.
• Daily appearances by the ice cream van and a rotation of general, pre-loved, and antique markets.
• VJ Day Commemorations (Friday 15th August). Commencing 11.45 am.
Highlights from the Festival of Food Line-Up:
Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd August
• 10:30 AM: Jason from Burnt Toast kicks off live demos.
• 11:00 AM: “Chop and Chat” – interactive cooking and conversation.
• 1:30 PM: Cooking with chillies.
• 2:30 PM: Caribbean Queen live cooking.
• 3:00 PM: Teen “Fakeaway” workshop.
Sunday 16th August
• Performances from Hikapee Theatre, ‘Life’s a Beach’.
Throughout the Fortnight
• Cooking demonstrations, including Meat-Free Mondays and healthy snack workshops.
• Family activities from Inspire, including Beach Time Stories and craft sessions.
• Wormery and composting workshops – learn how to turn waste into food for growing fruit, vegetables and flowers.
The itinerary for the event
✅Saturday 2nd August
The Beach opens at 10 am and closes at 4 pm.
Ice-cream van and food stalls in attendance as well as our popular general markets
Festival of Food First demo at 10.30 am. A range of cooking demonstrations and talks throughout the day. The last talk is at 3 pm.
10.30 am Demo from Jason at Burnt Toast
11 am Chop and Chat – Video and Cooking Demo
11.30 am Simon from Ember Catering
12 noon Growing Talk from the Rangers at Sconce Park
1.30 pm Cooking with chillies demonstration
2 pm Crop Drop interview
2.30 pm The Caribbean Queen cooking demonstration
3 pm Saturday Night Fakeaway with teens
✅Sunday 3rd August
The Beach opens at 10 am and closes at 4 pm.
10.30 am Demo from Jason at Burnt Toast
11.30 am Simon from Ember Catering
11 am Chop and Chat – Video and Cooking Demo
12 noon Growing Talk from the Rangers at Sconce Park
1.30 pm Eve to cook with chillies demonstration
2 pm Crop Drop interview
2.30 pm Crop Drop cooking
3 pm Ailsa cooking demonstration
✅Monday 4th August
The Beach opens at 10 am and closes at 4 pm.
Ice-cream van and food stalls in attendance as well as our pre-loved and antique markets
Meat Free Monday demonstrations 10 am, 12 noon & 2 pm
✅Tuesday 5th August
The Beach opens at 10 am and closes at 4 pm.
Ice-cream van in attendance. Neurodiversity day. Quiet day, with noise limited.
Afternoon tea in the Colonnades for those celebrating their Best Year’s.
✅Wednesday 6th August
The Beach opens at 10 am and closes at 4 pm.
Ice-cream van and food stalls in attendance as well as our popular General market.
Chance to make a picnic at the Beach.
Activities from Inspire
Beach Time Stories 10.00 & 11.00 2.00 & 3.00
Squiggly Sea Creatures – ‘Make and Take’ 10 – 12.30 1.00 – 3.30
Inspire Music 10.30 & 11.30 1.30 & 2.30
✅Thursday 7th August
The Beach opens at 10 am and closes at 4 pm.
Ice-cream van in attendance as well as our pre-loved and antique market.
Smoothie bike and fun food games.
Activities from Inspire
Beach Time Stories 10.00 & 11.00 2.00 & 3.00
Squiggly Sea Creatures – ‘Make and Take’ 10 – 12.30 1.00 – 3.30
Caribbean percussion workshop on the sand 10.30 & 11.30 1.30 & 2.30
✅Friday 8th August
The Beach opens at 10 am and closes at 4 pm.
Ice-cream van and food stalls in attendance as well as our popular General market.
Wormery Workshop, One of the most efficient ways of recycling kitchen waste is to use a wormery, or worm bin. These purpose-built containers house a colony of brandling worms, which consume fruit and vegetable waste, producing a nutritious worm compost. In addition to producing rich compost, wormeries also generate a nutritious liquid fertilizer.
✅Saturday 9th August
The Beach opens at 10 am and closes at 4 pm.
Ice-cream van and food stalls in attendance as well as our popular General market.
Dance performances and instruction from Ignite Dance. Starting 11.30 am
✅Sunday 10th August
The Beach opens at 10 am and closes at 4 pm.
Ice-cream van in attendance.
Performances from Sole Trader
Fish and Chips available between 11.30 am and 4 pm.
Ideal for those who are Young at Heart.
✅Monday 11th August
The Beach opens at 10 am and closes at 4 pm.
Ice-cream van in attendance as well as our pre-loved and antique market.
Community Dental Services will be in attendance.
✅Tuesday 12 August.
The Beach opens at 10 am and closes at 4 pm.
Ice-cream van in attendance.
Neurodiversity day. Make your own healthy snacks workshop.
✅Wednesday 13th August
The Beach opens at 10 am and closes at 4 pm.
Ice-cream van and food stalls in attendance as well as our popular General market.
Chance to make a picnic at the Beach
✅Thursday 14th August
The Beach opens at 10 am and closes at 4 pm.
Ice-cream van in attendance as well as our pre-loved and antique market.
Fussy eating and breast feeding support available.
✅Friday 15th August
The Beach opens at 10 am and closes at 4 pm.
Ice-cream van and food stalls in attendance as well as our popular General market.
Activities using the Smoothy Bike
VJ Day Commemorations commencing 11.45 am.
✅Saturday 16thth August
The Beach opens at 10 am and closes at 4 pm.
Ice-cream van and food stalls in attendance as well as our popular General market.
Back by popular demand, Sand Sculptures.
✅Sunday 17th August
The Beach opens at 10 am and closes at 4 pm.
Ice-cream van in attendance.
Performances from Hikapee Theatre, ‘Life’s a Beach’.
Fish and Chips are available between 11.30 am and 4 pm.
