Bolsover Castle

About

This hilltop castle was built as a fashionable retreat for 17th-Century courtiers to entertain influential guests. Now Bolsover Castle's reputation for revelry lives on entertaining you and your family.

Every inch a lavish party palace, where once moustached gentlemen caroused alongside bejewelled ladies. Enjoy the labyrinth of rooms, carved marble fireplaces, beautifully painted ceilings and richly coloured wall paintings. Outside head up to walk the walls surrounding the fountain garden or wander the romantic ruined terrace range.

The Riding school, where one-time owner William Cavendish trained his horses, is amongst the finest in the country. See the Riding School brought to life at one of Bolsover Castle's Cavalier Horsemanship displays set to evocative Baroque music (weekends April to beginning of October). The riders are clothed in the frills, feathers and high boots of the period and expertly demonstrate moves that we know today as dressage.

Kids can grab a multimedia guide jam-packed with fun games, bite-sized information and extra insights. They can dress up in costumes and take to the stage in a room dedicated to theatrics. Or let them run riot in the children’s play area, built like a mini Little Castle.

Rest your feet after exploring the castle in the 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.