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

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Bolsover Castle

Bolsover Castle is now open for you to visit. You now need to book your timed tickets in advance. We have introduced limits on visitor numbers to help keep everyone safe, and you won’t be able to visit without your booking confirmation. If you’re a Member, your ticket will be free, but you still need to book in advance. There are other new steps in place to ensure everyone’s safety, so your visit will be a little different.

How to book your visit

Read our FAQs

Keeping you safe

What to expect on your visit

Summer explorer quest 18 July - 30 August

Download your trail map

See full prices and opening times

Address

Castle Street, Bolsover, Derbyshire, S44 6PR

BOOK YOUR VISIT

Welcome to Bolsover Castle

We have introduced limits on visitor numbers to help keep everyone safe, and you won’t be able to visit without your booking confirmation. If you’re a Member, your ticket will be free, but you still need to book in advance. To book your visit, click the button below.

Although things might be a little different when you visit, you’ll still be able to enjoy exploring the places where history really happened. And you’ll still be given a warm and safe welcome by our friendly – if socially distant – staff and volunteers.

Please click here for more information about the safety measures you can expect when visiting as well as our FAQs.

Castle and grounds - The Little Castle, the Riding House and the upper Terrace Range will remain open with a one way system in place. Access may be restricted to certain areas.
Café - Take away food and drink will be available. Our café is taking part in the Eat Out to Help Out scheme. Find out more here.
Play area - The play area is open.
Shop - The shop is open as usual.
Toilets - Our toilets are open as usual.
Summer Explorer Quest - This summer, from 18 July, take your family on a free fun adventure quest. Download your trail map here.
Face coverings - Face coverings must be worn in Bolsover Castle's indoor shop café and all other indoor spaces. We won't be able to give you a face covering so please come prepared so you don't miss out.

Book your visit

Summer Explorer Quest

This summer, from 18 July, take your family on a free fun adventure with a historical twist. Follow the trail through the castle grounds and track down the clues - crack them all to claim your adventurer's certificate. Kick off your quest at Bolsover Castle every day of the school holidays. Standard admission applies.

Download your trail map

Things to See and Do

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