During July 2015, BBC’s Antiques Roadshow filmed two episodes at Bolsover Castle. People came from all over Derbyshire to show their antiques and hidden treasures to the valuation experts. Among some amazing finds was one special item – a Bolsover Castle Railway sign.

There was a railway station, initially named ‘Bolsover’ built by Midland Railway and opened in 1890. The station was renamed ‘Bolsover Castle’ on 25 September 1950 so that it wasn’t confused with a station a third of a mile away in Carr Vale called ‘Bolsover South’. The line was a single track and slowly became less frequented. The Bolsover Castle station was lifted and closed in 1978 and that area is now a public bridleway called The Stockley Trail.

David Chandler purchased the sign in a house sale 40 years ago for £5. Since then it has been in storage in his house, and no one has seen it. David brought it along to Bolsover Castle when Antiques Roadshow were filming and it caused quite stir, with locals fondly reminiscing about the station and the trips they had made on that line. The experts valued the sign, and since then David had quite a few offers to purchase it. He chose to sell it to Bolsover Castle so that people could see the sign again and it will be on display for the public very soon.

The two episodes of Antiques Roadshow that were filmed at Bolsover Castle aired on 25 October and 1 November 2015, with David and his sign being featured in the second episode. Both episodes are now available on the BBC iPlayer.
Click here for more information about Bolsover Castle and to plan a visit.