Bolsover Castle (English Heritage)

Castle Street
Bolsover
Chesterfield
Derbyshire
S44 6PR
England

Website

www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/bolsover-castle/

E-mail

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

All information is supplied by the venues or providers themselves and every effort is made to ensure it is correct. Please remember to double check opening hours with the venue concerned before making a special visit.
An interior shot of Bolsover Castle
baby changing facilities icon Food icon Guided tours icon Shop icon Visual disability facilities icon Wheelchair access icon

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

 Opening hours

1-31 Oct daily 10am-5pm, 1 Nov-12 Feb Sat-Sun 10am-4pm, 13-17 Feb daily 10am-4pm, 18 Feb-31 Mar Sat-Sun 10am-4pm, Closed 24-26 Dec & 1 Jan

 Admission charges

7.80/7.00/4.70/20.30

Discounts

  • Historic Scotland
  • English Heritage
  • Cadw: Welsh Historic Monuments
 General services and facilities
  • Brochure or leaflet available with directions to museum
  • Foreign language leaflet or brochure available
  • General audio-guide available
  • Guided tours
  • Pre-booking service for groups
  • Cafeteria
  • Picnic area
  • Refreshments
  • Shop
 Children and families
  • Events and resources for children and families
  • Baby changing facilities
 Disability access
  • Touch exhibits
  • Parking for disabled available
  • Toilets for disabled
  • Wheelchair access to some public areas
  • Wheelchairs available for loan
 Schools services and facilities
  • Member of staff available with responsibility for education
  • Primary school education service available
  • Secondary school education service available
  • Education facilities available
 Research and adult learning
  • Teaching/resources available for HE/FE students
 Commercial and hire services
  • Licensed for weddings
  • Facilities for private functions and events
  • Meeting room available

Additional info

Wedding enquiries : 01246 856456

Castle Street
Bolsover
Chesterfield
Derbyshire
S44 6PR
England

Website

www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/bolsover-castle/

E-mail

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

All information is supplied by the venues or providers themselves and every effort is made to ensure it is correct. Please remember to double check opening hours with the venue concerned before making a special visit.

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

Collections services

  • General guide to collections available

Castle Street
Bolsover
Chesterfield
Derbyshire
S44 6PR
England

Website

www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/bolsover-castle/

E-mail

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

All information is supplied by the venues or providers themselves and every effort is made to ensure it is correct. Please remember to double check opening hours with the venue concerned before making a special visit.
Resources listed here may include websites, bookable tours and workshops, books, loan boxes and more. You may need to scroll down or click on headers to see them all.
 Face to face resources

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.

Castle Street
Bolsover
Chesterfield
Derbyshire
S44 6PR
England

Website

www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/bolsover-castle/

E-mail

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

All information is supplied by the venues or providers themselves and every effort is made to ensure it is correct. Please remember to double check opening hours with the venue concerned before making a special visit.

Related teaching activities

Key stage 2 English, 1-2 lessons

En1 Speaking and listening

Write and perform a short monologue in the character of a real or fictional person who may have visited Bolsover Castle. Convey the medieval sights, smells and sounds of one part of the castle.

Key stage 2 geography, 1 lesson

Knowledge and understanding of places

What is the value of conservation and maintenance of castles and other buildings in the historic environment? Discuss in small groups, using examples of historic buildings and developments in your local area to support your view.

Key stage 3 design & technology, Small project

1.3 Creativity

Create the design for a piece of textiles for one of the rooms of Bolsover Castle, which is in keeping with the decorative design of the interior space.

Key stage 3 ICT, 1-2 lessons

2.2 Developing ideas

What were the means of attack available to a determined enemy approaching Bolsover Castle? Using examples from the three buildings on the site and the grounds, map the possible routes using software.

Key stage 3 maths, 1 lesson

3.2 Geometry and measures

Bolsover Castle has many arches of different shapes and sizes. Why do you think this structural shape is found in castles? What other shapes can be found in the external façade of these types of building?