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

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Bolsover Castle

Browse our Christmas events

6 Nov - 22 Dec

Open Wed-Sun, 10am - 4pm

See full prices and opening times

Address

Castle Street, Bolsover, Derbyshire, S44 6PR

Book online save 15%

Bolsover Christmas Quest 2024

A Christmas Quest

Join best friends Ellie and Jack on a festive quest to uncover the magic of the season and its much-loved traditions. There are 12 stops to discover, each filled with Christmas stories, activities and exciting challenges.

Quests take place from 30 Nov – 22 Dec and are included in the standard entry price. Book online before your visit to save 15%.

Things to See and Do

What's On

Festive Craft Workshops at Bolsover Castle

Wed 6 Nov - Wed 18 Dec Varied
Historic House Cleaning Wednesdays at Bolsover Castle

Every Wednesday throughout Winter Drop in any time during our opening hours
Guided Tours of Bolsover's Little Castle

Wednesday-Friday throughout Winter 11am & 1pm
Bright Winter Nights

Friday 29th November 4.30pm - 8pm
Father Christmas at Bolsover Castle

Weekends from 30 Nov to 22 Dec 2024 10am - 4pm
Festive Fun at Bolsover Castle

Weekends from 30 Nov - Sun 22 Dec 2024 10am - 4pm
Christmas Festival & Lantern Parade

30 November 10am-4pm. Parade at 5pm.
Carols at Bolsover Castle

12th & 19th December 7pm
Members' Event: The Cavendish Tomb and Bolsover Parish Church

Wed 11 Dec 2024 11am - 12pm
Half Term History Makers at Bolsover Castle

Sat 15 - Sun 23 Feb 2025 10am - 4pm
Members' Event: Vicars, Curates and Dukes at Bolsover Castle

Wed 26 Feb 2025 11am - 12pm
Members' Event: I'd Never Have Seen That

Wed 5 Mar 2025 11am - 12pm

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 Barons’ 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.

1612–17The Little Castle

The ruins provide the setting for the Little Castle, begun in 1612 by Sir Charles Cavendish as a retreat from his principal seat at Welbeck Abbey, a few miles away.

1617–33Fit for a King

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

1634Royal 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 at 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.

1660A Cavendish Return

William and his second wife, Margaret, return from abroad and begin to restore their estates. At Bolsover, they rebuild the state apartment in the Terrace Range and build the Riding House Range.

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.

1833Guardians

John Hamilton Gray becomes vicar of the parish. He and his family carry 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 and Hardwick Hall
4.55 miles from Bolsover Castle

Hardwick Old Hall and Hardwick 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 and Hardwick Hall
  4.55 miles from Bolsover Castle
Similar Places
- Hardwick Old Hall and Hardwick Hall
  4.55 miles from Bolsover Castle
- Wingfield Manor
  11.52 miles from Bolsover Castle
- Conisbrough Castle
  17.71 miles from Bolsover Castle

Browse our Christmas events

Bolsover Christmas Quest 2024

Things to See and Do

Little Castle

Terrace Range

Fountain Garden

Tearoom Treats

What's On

Festive Craft Workshops at Bolsover Castle

Historic House Cleaning Wednesdays at Bolsover Castle

Guided Tours of Bolsover's Little Castle

Bright Winter Nights

Father Christmas at Bolsover Castle

Festive Fun at Bolsover Castle

Christmas Festival & Lantern Parade

Carols at Bolsover Castle

Members' Event: The Cavendish Tomb and Bolsover Parish Church

Half Term History Makers at Bolsover Castle

Members' Event: Vicars, Curates and Dukes at Bolsover Castle

Members' Event: I'd Never Have Seen That

Guidebook: Bolsover Castle

Bolsover Castle Timeline

1068A Norman Gift

1155Royal Seizure

1216First Barons’ War

1322Temporary Abandonment

1612–17The Little Castle

1617–33Fit for a King

1634Royal Feast

1640–44Civil War

1649Demolition

1660A Cavendish Return

1770sRomantic Return

1833Guardians

Early 20th CenturyTown Use

1920s–1930sEnvironmental Damage

1945Open to the Public

Bolsover Cundy House

Sutton Scarsdale Hall

Hardwick Old Hall and Hardwick Hall

Bolsover Cundy House

Sutton Scarsdale Hall

Hardwick Old Hall and Hardwick Hall

Hardwick Old Hall and Hardwick Hall

Wingfield Manor

Conisbrough Castle

Gallery for Bolsover Castle

UNLIMITED ACCESS TO OVER 400 HISTORIC PLACES

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