Home Newsletter SMS
Search and sort by
Print-friendly version
Home Page > Places to Visit > Bolsover Castle

Bolsover Castle

Bolsover Castle
Address: English Heritage
Bolsover Castle
Bolsover
Derbyshire
Postcode: S44 6PR
Telephone: 01246 822844
Website: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.11533
Google mapClick here
Multimap.co.uk satellite mapClick here
Description

Bolsover Castle.
 
Bolsover Castle was originally built by the Peverel family in the 12th century but when William Peverel the Third fled into exile in 1155 the building became the property of the Crown. Toward the end of the 12th Century a keep surrounded by a curtain wall was built but the castle eventually fell into ruin. In 1553 it was bought by Sir George Talbot. He was later created the Earl of Shrewsbury and was to eventually marry "Bess of Hardwick" and become her fourth husband.

In 1608, Sir Charles Cavendish purchased the castle. He was the son of Bess of Hardwick and her second husband, Sir William Cavendish. With his architect, Robert Smythson, he set about re-building the castle as a place of elegant living rather than for defence. On his death in 1617, his son, William inherited the castle and continued the building programme adding a new hall and state rooms. In 1634, Charles I and Queen Henrietta Maria visited the castle and a masque was performed in their honour. It was entitled ‘Love’s Welcome to Bolsover’ and was written by the famous dramatist, Ben Jonson.

m_bols_castle_cropped.jpg

Bolsover Castle © Bolsover Online 2008
When the English Civil War broke out in 1642, William, whose title was Earl of Newcastle, became the commander of Royalist forces in the north. In 1644 the garrison at Bolsover Castle surrendered to Parliamentarian forces and the castle was "slighted", that is partially demolished so that it could no longer be used as a place of defence. After the defeat of the Royalists at the battle of Marston Moor, William fled into exile in Hamburg but upon the restoration of Charles II he returned to England and was created Duke of Newcastle for his services to the Royalist cause. He began to repair the castle but his later descendants chose to live at nearby Welbeck Abbey and the castle was stripped and left to fall into disrepair.
 
 bolsover_castle_007.jpg

The Terrace, Bolsover Castle © Bolsover Online 2008		In 1945, the castle was given to the Nation by the 7th Duke of Portland and put in the care of English Heritage. Under their auspices, the castle has undergone extensive renovation and restoration in recent years. It also hosts a variety of events and is available for private hire.

Bolsover Castle is a wonderful place to wander around as the fancy takes you. The free audio tours are designed to give you a self-guided tour and are interactive so you can choose what you want to hear be it about be it history, architecture or conservation. There is also a special tour for children.

Areas of special interest are the rare, early riding house, the terrace range with its stunning views, and the Little Castle with its elaborate fireplaces, vaulted chambers and wall paintings. Also not to be missed is the Venus Fountain Garden with its secluded love seats and the centrepiece of which is the "rudest fountain in England".

For further details about Bolsover Castle use the link to visit the website of English Heritage.
Google
Copyright © Bolsover Online 2008
Web design by 7Soft.co.uk