Bolsover area
Bolsover District is one of the country's best kept secrets. Ideally situated at the heart of the country, nestling between Sherwood Forest and the Peak District it offers a superb blend of spectacular scenery, historical features and quaint market towns.
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The 17th century mansion is principally the work of William Cavendish , later the Duke of Newcastle, the grandson of the infamous Bess of Hardwick
See also The Bard of Bozer »
The original castle at Bolsover was raised by the Peveril family in the 12th century. A stone keep was built in 1173, surrounded by a curtain wall with an outer bailey, but the wall was breached in 1216 during the reign of King John. Surviving fragments of this curtain wall were later incorporated in a wall walk that can be seen in the castle garden. The castle became Crown property in 1155 when the third William Peveril fled into exile, but by 1400 it had lost its importance. Years of occupation by tenants had left Bolsover Castle ruinous by the time it was purchased by Sir George Talbot in 1553. Talbot, later becoming the 6th Earl of Shrewsbury. In 1608 the castle was leased to Sir Charles Cavendish who became owner in 1614 when he employed Robert Smythson as his architect, and Cavendish set about re-building the castle. 
The tower, known today as the little castle, was completed in 1621, and building work continued with their sons adding the terrace and riding school ranges. Used as extra accommodation, the Terrace Range originally consisted of apartments and kitchens, until extended to include a long gallery and an external staircase about 1634. One of the most notable features of the Riding School range is its magnificent timber roof.
With the advent of the Civil War, Sir William Cavendish took command of the Royalist troops. Defeated at Marston Moor in 1644; he survived but was forced to flee into exile and his castle was surrendered to Parliamentarian troops in August of that year. After the reformation of the Monarchy in 1660, Sir William Cavendish was able to return to England and his now ruinous castle. Despite financial problems, he added a new hall and staterooms to the Terrace Range and, by the time of his death in 1676, the castle had been restored to good order. 
His successors, chose to live at Welbeck Abbey and in 1752 they stripped the lead from the roof of the Terrace Range at Bolsover Castle to effect the necessary repairs at Welbeck. The Little Castle and the Riding School survived much better, and was let to the Curate of Bolsover in 1834. Following the death of his widow in 1883, the castle remained uninhabited and was eventually given to the nation by the 7th Duke of Portland in 1945. The castle is now in the care of English Heritage.
Opening Times
24 March to 30th April. Thursday to Monday. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
May - August. Daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sept - October. 10 a.m. to 5.p.m.
Nov to 31st March. Thursday to Monday. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Closed 24 - 26 Dec and New Years Day.
Closes at 4 p.m. Saturdays.
Facilities
Visitor Centre with shop
Cafe
Free Parking
Caters for Disabled Electric Wheelchair provided
See also Creswell Crags and The Dukeries
Bolsover Links
Bolsover Castle, The Venus Fountain
Bolsover Castle, The Visitors' Centre
More about Bolsover Castle from Derbyshire UK
Bolsover School
GENUKI Bolsover
The Bard of Bozer A collection of humorous prose
