Things To See and Do
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.
- 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.
Terrace Range
The vast Terrace Range overlooking the Vale of Scarsdale was also created by Sir William. Now a dramatic roofless shell this was once a range of stately rooms that formed the entrance to Bolsover Castle.
Use your multi media guide to fire your imagination and see once more the grand dining room, long gallery and basement kitchen that stood here.
Fountain Garden
The Fountain Garden was designed around the statue of Venus - goddess of love and pleasure - emerging from her bath. It included a secluded chamber for intimate banquets set into the garden wall. With re-glazed original windows and new hand-carved doors, we have opened this room to the public for the first time.
Wander the gardens and enjoy the 5,000 plants and flowers we have planted to capture the spirit of the garden in its heyday. Fan-trained fruit trees and colourful planting around the walls are all lovingly tended by our volunteer gardeners.
Garden fashion in the 17th century included 'outlandish' foreign bulbs such as tulips, and for special occasions, fanciful designs cut into turf and filled with colourful gravels.
Wall Walk
For the first time in almost 250 years you can stroll along Bolsover Castle's newly restored wall walk.
With stunning countryside views, and the fountain garden down below, you can strut along the Cavalier's catwalk, like a Stuart courtier wanting to see and be seen.
The circular walls go right around the garden, allowing panoramic views over Bolsover Castle grounds and the Vale of Scarsdale. Bring your camera to capture that perfect shot.
Cavalier Horsemanship
Gallop over to the magnificent indoor Riding School - amongst the finest in the country. With its central white post, it's easy to imagine William Cavendish training his horses in their elegant exercises here, in the 1600s.
Once riding master to the future King Charles II, William Cavendish built the Riding School and stables for the elegant horses he imported from as far afield as Turkey and North Africa.
See the Riding School brought to life at one of our Cavalier Horsemanship displays set to evocative Baroque music (weekends April to September). The riders are clothed in the frills, feathers and high boots of the period and expertly demonstrate moves that we know today as dressage.
Tearoom Treats
Rest your feet after exploring the castle in our fantastic café and treat yourself to a yummy sandwich, refreshing hot drink or tempting homemade cake.
If it’s a lovely day, feel free to perch on a picnic bench or spread out your blanket and enjoy a relaxing lunch in the castle grounds.
Hands On
There are no ropes or barriers inside the Little Castle - all of the reproduction furniture here can be touched, sat on and enjoyed.
Open up 17th-century style 'cabinets of curiosity' to discover Bolsover's secrets, and learn how the castle was used for banqueting, relaxing and partying, by Sir William Cavendish.
Turn the wheels in our introductory exhibition in the Riding House to reveal intriguing facts about Bolsover Castle - from the architecture, to the people and politics of its past.
