A Visit to Bolsover Castle
Visit Bolsover Castle, a true fairytale castle perched high on a ridge above the Vale of Scarsdale on the eastern edge of the Peak District. Begun in the late 11th Century by William Peveril, a knight of William the Conqueror, the stunning ‘Little Castle’ features dramatic medieval towers, turrets, and remarkable surviving wall-paintings. Explore the Riding House, one of the earliest complete buildings of its kind in England, built in 1660 by William Cavendish, riding master to King Charles II, and now host to regular equestrian events. Wander the recently restored Wall Walk for the first time in nearly 250 years, enjoy the beautifully replanted Fountain Garden, and discover why this English Heritage site offers a fantastic family day out with a café, gift shop, and children’s playground.
Bolsover Castle
Bolsover Castle is a true fairytale castle, perched high on a ridge above the Vale of Scarsdale on the eastern edge of the Peak District. It’s a great place to spend a day, with plenty to see and do for the whole family.
The stunning ‘Little Castle’ – which is actually huge – dates from the late 11th Century, when building was started by William Peveril, one of William the Conqueror’s knights. It was intended to evoke a Norman great tower, which it definitely resembles viewed from a distance, rising sheer from the cliff above the countryside below. Its medieval-style towers and turrets look dramatic from the outside, and many remarkable wall-paintings and interiors still survive within the building. The great windows of the upper floors were designed to give panoramic views across the landscape; the perspectives may look very different today but the views are still just as impressive.
In 1660 the then owner William Cavendish, who was once riding master to the future King Charles II, built the enormous Riding House at the side of the existing castle. It’s one of the earliest such buildings to survive complete in England, and a landmark in British equestrianism. Designed to indulge Cavendish’s passion for dressage, it also housed the elegant horses he imported here from as far afield as Turkey and North Africa.
Horses are now once again a regular sight at Bolsover, with equestrian events frequently held in the Riding House.
Bolsover Castle has been in the care of English Heritage since 1984. Today, the Little Castle, Terrace Range and Riding House are all open to the public to explore, as are the beautiful gardens. The Fountain Garden, with the Venus Fountain as its centrepiece, has recently been replanted with 5,000 period plants to capture the spirit of the garden in its heyday.
English Heritage has also recently restored the Wall Walk, allowing visitors to stroll along the Castle’s walls for the first time in nearly 250 years and enjoy the stunning views of the Vale of Scarsdale below.
There is a café, gift shop and children’s playground on site.
How Do I Get to Bolsover Castle?
Bolsover Castle is located in Bolsover, 6 miles east of Chesterfield on the A632. The postcode for satnav is S44 6PR. Free car parking is available.
Find out more
To find out more, click on the button below:
If the fairytale appearance and fascinating history of Bolsover Castle captured your imagination, the Peak District has many more historic castles and houses to explore. Hardwick Hall is a magnificent Elizabethan country house built by Bess of Hardwick, while Sudbury Hall is a beautiful late-17th-century country house with the National Trust Museum of Childhood. Peveril Castle in Castleton is one of England’s earliest Norman fortresses, and Chatsworth House is the jewel in the Peak District’s crown with over 1,000 acres of parkland. Discover more historic houses at our Stately Homes & Castles Guide.
