Bolsover Castle
At the heart of the district stands a Cavalier’s Pleasure
Palace that is Bolsover Castle with its turrets and battlements
rising from a hilltop which dominates the vale below, but in
reality it is a romantic gesture. The 17th century Mansion is
principally the work of William Cavendish, later the Duke of
Newcastle, the grandson of the infamous ‘Bess of Hardwick’.
The Little Castle which is built on the foundations of an original
12th century Norman Castle, and has mock medieval fortifications.
Inside are carved fireplaces and richly painted rooms that depict
the romanticism and chivalry of the English Renaissance.
Adjoining the Little Castle are the roofless Cavendish apartments
and the Terrace Range State Rooms, the latter a banqueting area in
which Charles I would have enjoyed the sights and sounds of masque
‘Loves Welcome to Bolsover’ performed in his honour in 1634 at an
estimated cost of £15,000.
The impressive indoor riding school dating back to the 1630’s is
one of the oldest surviving examples of its type in Europe and was
used to practise ‘Haute Ecole’ of which William Cavendish was a
leading exponent. This was originally as important a centre of
equestrianism as the Spanish Riding School in Vienna is
today.
The Venus Fountain Garden hosts the ‘rudest’ fountain in the
country with its cherubs and mythical beasts.
The Castle is host to numerous historic and cultural events
throughout the year, details of which are available on
request.
The new visitor centre has an excellent selection of local food and
gift ideas and is the starting point for town trails.
Bolsover Castle is one of the buildings that was built by the
Smythson Family Architects