Name: Bolsover Castle
Address: Castle Street, Bolsover, Derbyshire, S44 6PR
Telephone: 01246 822844

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Bolsover Castle

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Address

Castle Street, Bolsover, Derbyshire, S44 6PR

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Things to See and Do

What's On

Cavendish Horses

Sat 6 April - Sun 6 October 2019, Weekends only 11.30am - 3.30pm
Medieval Myths and Legends

Sat 4 - Mon 6 May 2019 11am - 5pm
Easter Adventure Quest

Sat 6 - Sun 28 April 2019 11am - 5pm
Knights' Tournament

Sat 25 - Mon 27 May 2019 11am - 5pm
Get Hands on with History: Castles

Tues 28 - Sun 2 Jun 2019 11am - 5pm
Siege

Sat 8 - Sun 9 Jun 2019 11am - 5pm
Legends weekend - Father's Day

Sat 15 - Sun 16 Jun 2019 11am - 5pm
Bolsover at the races

Sat 13 - Sun 14 Jul 2019 11am - 5pm
Get hands on with history

Sat 20 Jul - Sun 1 Sep 2019 11am - 5pm
Legendary Joust

Sun 25 - Mon 26 Aug 2019 11am - 5pm

Bolsover Castle Timeline

1068A Norman Gift

William the Conqueror grants custody of his new castle at Nottingham and the large manor of Bolsover to one of his knights, William Peveril.

Find out more about the history of Bolsover Castle

1155Royal Seizure

Peveril's son takes the wrong side against Henry II and forfeits his estates to the Crown.

1216First Baron's War

A group of barons fight against King John after he refuses to accept the terms of Magna Carta. Bolsover Castle is besieged.

1322Temporary Abandonment

The garrison stands down and the buildings gradually fall into decay.

1600The Cavendish Family

Bess of Hardwick's son Charles Cavendish buys Bolsover and makes it his main residence.

1611-17A Modern Norman Castle

Charles commissions Robert and John Smythson to build the Little Castle.

1618-33Fit for a King

Charles's son William inherits. He completes his father's decoration of the lodge house and renovates the 'old house' with state apartments, a gallery and a hall.

1634Lavish Royal Feast

Charles I, Henrietta Maria, their royal entourage and all of Nottinghamshire's and Derbyshire's gentry feast at Bolsover. They are entertained by Ben Jonson's Love's Welcome to Bolsover.

1640-44Civil War

William is appointed commander-in-chief of the northern Royalist counties. After his wife dies and he loses the Battle of Marston Moor, he despairs and goes to Paris in exile.

1649Demolition

The Parliamentary Council of State orders the slighting (deliberate destruction) of Bolsover to prevent it being used by Royalists.

1650A Cavendish Return

William returns from abroad and buys back his estates. He grants Bolsover to his sons, who carry out repairs.

1770sRomantic Return

Bolsover passes through marriage to the Dukes of Portland. The Terrace Grange is unroofed, becoming a ruin that attracts antiquarian and artistic interest.

1833Gray Guardians

John Hamilton Gray becomes vicar of the parish. He and his family carries out alterations and repairs to the Little Castle, where they live as guardians.

Early 20th CenturyTown Use

The riding house becomes a drill room and theatre, and the castle yard a bowling green and tennis court.

1920s-1930sEnvironmental Damage

Massive cracks from slipping limestone bedrock threaten the castle's stability. A nearby Coalite plant damages the stonework with acidic pollution.

1945Open to the Public

The Ministry of Works takes over, stabilising the structures and gradually opening the site to the public.

Learn more about the history of Bolsover Castle

Nearby Places
Similar Places

Bolsover Cundy House
0.14 miles from Bolsover Castle
Sutton Scarsdale Hall
2.15 miles from Bolsover Castle
Hardwick Old Hall
4.55 miles from Bolsover Castle

Hardwick Old Hall
4.55 miles from Bolsover Castle
Wingfield Manor
11.52 miles from Bolsover Castle
Conisbrough Castle
17.71 miles from Bolsover Castle

Nearby Places
- Bolsover Cundy House
  0.14 miles from Bolsover Castle
- Sutton Scarsdale Hall
  2.15 miles from Bolsover Castle
- Hardwick Old Hall
  4.55 miles from Bolsover Castle
Similar Places
- Hardwick Old Hall
  4.55 miles from Bolsover Castle
- Wingfield Manor
  11.52 miles from Bolsover Castle
- Conisbrough Castle
  17.71 miles from Bolsover Castle

Gallery for Bolsover Castle

Things to See and Do

Little Castle

Terrace Range

Fountain Garden

Wall Walk

Cavalier Horsemanship

Tearoom Treats

Hands On

Interactive Guide

What's On

Cavendish Horses

Medieval Myths and Legends

Easter Adventure Quest

Knights' Tournament

Get Hands on with History: Castles

Siege

Legends weekend - Father's Day

Bolsover at the races

Get hands on with history

Legendary Joust

Guidebook: Bolsover Castle

Bolsover Castle Timeline

1068A Norman Gift

1155Royal Seizure

1216First Baron's War

1322Temporary Abandonment

1600The Cavendish Family

1611-17A Modern Norman Castle

1618-33Fit for a King

1634Lavish Royal Feast

1640-44Civil War

1649Demolition

1650A Cavendish Return

1770sRomantic Return

1833Gray Guardians

Early 20th CenturyTown Use

1920s-1930sEnvironmental Damage

1945Open to the Public

Bolsover Cundy House

Sutton Scarsdale Hall

Hardwick Old Hall

Bolsover Cundy House

Sutton Scarsdale Hall

Hardwick Old Hall

Hardwick Old Hall

Wingfield Manor

Conisbrough Castle

Gallery for Bolsover Castle

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