Bolsover Castle - English Heritage
Bolsover Castle - English Heritage
Castle Street
Bolsover
Chesterfield
Derbyshire
S44 6PR
England
Website
www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/bolsover-castle/
Visitor Operations Manager
andrea.hill@english-heritage.org.uk
Site Supervisor
diane.hinchcliffe@english-heritage.org.uk
Site Supervisor
jackie.parker@english-heritage.org.uk
Telephone
01246 822844
Fax
Office
01246 241569
Bolsover is a 17th century house built on the site of a Norman fortress and is a wonderful place to meander and muse. See the fairytale house, designed as a fantasy house for entertaining, of rooms stacked on top of one another to create the "Little Castle" with its range of charming and spectacular interiors.
Venue Type:
Museum, Historic house or home, Castle or defences
Additional info
Wedding enquiries : 01246 856456
12 Caesar paintings based on originals by Titian. They were commissioned in the 17th century by William Cavendish and are back at the castle after being taken away in the 1970s for restoration work.
Collection details
Architecture, Fine Art
Key artists and exhibits
- 12 Caesar paintings returned to the castle in 2004
- Award winning fountain in the Venus Garden
Cavalier Horsemanship
- 2 — 3 August 2014 10am-6pm
- 9 — 10 August 2014 10am-6pm
- 16 — 17 August 2014 10am-6pm
Witness expert horsemen in flamboyant 17th Century costume put horses through their paces to Baroque music in the spectacular surroundings of the Riding School at Bolsover Castle.
Suitable for
- Family friendly
Admission
To avoid disappointment we are taking advance bookings for the 11am and 1pm shows. This is strongly recommended as seating is limited to 100 per show for booking. Please call our dedicated ticket sales team on 0870 333 1183. (Mon-Fri 8.30am - 5.30pm, Sat 9am - 5pm)
Website
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/events/
Myths and Legends
- 4 — 8 August 2014
Discover a backdrop of mystery and legend at Bolsover Castle. Hear secret stories and uncover colourful characters, and decide for yourself between truth and myth. From the gruelling labours of Hercules, to the eternal punishment of Atlas – the Little Castle has such strange murals on the walls and plenty of secrets to explore.
Suitable for
- Family friendly
- Especially for children
Website
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/events/
Gruesome Goings On
- 11 — 15 August 2014
Ghastly gallows, horrific hangmen and terrifying torture – travel back in time and discover the painful punishments your history teacher won't teach you! From who is top of the chops to the A-Z of torture, find out everything you didn’t want to know about crime and execution in medieval times.
Suitable for
- Family friendly
- Especially for children
Website
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/events/
Heroes and Villains
- 18 — 22 August 2014
Deadly enemies and bitter battles, choose your side and start your training. Pick up your musket and advance in the drill, hear astonishing tales of your favourite rogues and plot your ambush of Bolsover Castle.
Suitable for
- Family friendly
- Especially for children
Website
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/events/
Grand Medieval Joust
- 24 — 25 August 2014 10am-6pm
See sparks fly and feel the heat of the contest as magnificent knights on horseback clash at Medieval England’s greatest event. Cheer on your favourite in this thundering battle of bravery and honour and be entertained by the naughty court jester for plenty of laughs too. Soak up the sights, sounds and smells of medieval encampments as our knights’ supporters set up camp, cook on open fires and live life as it was 600 years ago. There’ll be music, dance, falconry and medieval games to play.Plus, budding young knights can test their bravery in our knight’s training school and battle drills.
Suitable for
- Family friendly
Admission
Tickets will be available to purchase at the event site on the day / Purchase your tickets today by calling our dedicated Ticket Sales Team on 0870 333 1183 (Mon – Fri 8.30am – 5.30 Sat 9am – 5pm).
Website
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/events/
Knights and Princesses Academy
- 26 — 29 August 2014
Polish your armour and dust off your tiara, it’s time to learn the tools of the trade as you become a knight or princess for the day. You’re cordially invited to Bolsover Castle where our courtly experts will teach you skills in heroic chivalry and eloquent etiquette - you’d be a jabbering jester to miss it!
Suitable for
- Family friendly
- Especially for children
Website
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/events/
Ghosts and Ghouls
- 27 — 31 October 2014
Grab your cloaks and steady your nerves as your little horrors scare themselves silly this Halloween. Thrilling tricks and tasty treats await at Bolsover Castle. Show off your spooktacular costumes and frighten our fearless staff - a perfect day out for the family this Shocktober half term!
Suitable for
- Family friendly
- Especially for children
Website
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/events/
Creepy Castle at Night
- 31 October — 1 November 2014
Have you got what it takes to brave the castle after dark? Discover deadly deeds and freaky fun around every corner as residents past and present invite you into a terrfying world of tricks and treats at Bolsover Castle. Bring your own torches as you explore the site – we’re dying to hear you scream! Please note there will be both low levels of lighting and strobe lighting at this spooky event. We recommend that people with a nervous disposition and children under 10 do not attend. This event is not for the faint-hearted!
Suitable for
- Family friendly
Admission
Tickets will be available to purchase at the event site on the day / Purchase your tickets today by calling our dedicated Ticket Sales Team on 0870 333 1183 (Mon – Fri 8.30am – 5.30 Sat 9am – 5pm).
Website
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/events/
Educational Visits from Schools & Universities
English Heritage offers FREE educational visits to schools, universities and all educational establishments.
Education room available, please book this room early to be sure of availability.
Pre-booking is essential.
Call 01604 735400 for booking information and to obtain a FREE educational permit booking form for Bolsover Castle.
Art and Symbolism - The Cavendish Code Discovery Visit
Experience the scale, proportions, materials, symbolism and magical atmosphere of this site through investigating the buildings and their decoration. Discover the purpose of the building and its historical context, learn some architectural language and enjoy sketching and recording some impressive architectural design details.
Duration: 1 hour
Key Stage: 2, 3 History, Art and Design
How to obtain
Call 01604 735440 to arrange a 1 hour tour on weekdays during term time. Price £60 per group of up to 30 pupils until April 2009, £75 per group after April 2009. Visit http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.19499 for more information.
English Civil War Discovery Visit
Join your guide to explore Bolsover Castle. Discover its flamboyant past at the time of the English Civil War and peep into the lives of Elizabeth and Mad Madge who lived there in the 17th century.
Duration: 1 hour
Key Stage: 2,3 History
How to obtain
Call 01604 735440 to arrange a 1 hour tour on weekdays during term time. Price £60 per group of up to 30 pupils until April 2009, £75 per group after April 2009. Visit http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.19499 for more information.
Meet a Medieval Soldier Discovery Visit
Venture into history with a costumed guide on a tour to fire the imagination. How did armies attack the castle and how did those inside keep them out? Discover medieval food, living conditions (including toilets!), medieval surgery and a glimpse into the dark world of crime and punishment.
Duration: 1 1/2 hours
Key Stage: 1, 2, 3 History
How to obtain
Call 01604 735440 to arrange a 1 hour tour on February 2, 5 or 6 2009. Price £60 per group of up to 30 pupils. Visit http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.19499 for more information.
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