Number Eleven Castlegate is a grade 2 listed building and is one of the most famous historic properties in Newark. It is used as a landmark for many visitors to the town as it is situated almost opposite to Newark castle at one of the main entrances to the town. The house was originally built in 1725 as a fine residence with a large garden and the first known occupant was a brewery owner named Samuel Sketchley, who went on to become Mayor of Newark in 1791 but died in 1831.

By the late 19th century the property was owned by a local medic, Dr Patrick Kinmont, who was undoubtedly responsible for a lot of the remodelling works carried out in the house and also possibly the two bay windows at the front. 

In the late 1920s the house was converted into a motor garage and both bay windows were removed to give access to the rear premises and provide a showroom window. The superb early eighteenth century ornamental railings, piers and gates were removed, the railings being refixed in front of a house on Kelham Road and the piers and gates being re-erected in the garden of a house in Farndon.

After the Holden family acquired the premises, originally as a furniture warehouse, the projecting single storey was removed and the missing sash windows and brickwork were replaced. Although the door case had gone, the original number eleven front door was discovered behind plasterboard. The door itself was repaired and the door case recreated. Replicas of the original gates and piers were made from wrought iron and limestone.

Following massive internal repairs, Number Eleven Castlegate was opened to the public to enable them not only to admire the beautiful building, but also to view a showcase of wonderful furniture sourced from all over the world and displayed in a superb interior-designed setting. 

At the moment all of our Bedroom Furniture is shown in our Number Eleven showhouse – see our Bedroom page for a glimpse of some of our current ranges.