Guide to Bolsover Castle in Derbyshire, England
Brief History and Visitors Guide to the 'Mock Castle' in Bolsover
Nov 3, 2009
Begun by Charles Cavendish in 1612 and completed by his son William Cavendish – a man perhaps best known, unfortunately for his own reputation, for losing the key Battle of Marston Moor for the Royalists during the English Civil War – Bolsover Castle is perhaps the finest example of 17th Century England's 'mock castles'. Although it was indeed briefly besieged during the Civil War and was built on the site of a former Norman keep and medieval castle, Bolsover Castle as it stands today was built not for defence but for luxury, status and extravagant entertainment.
William Cavendish's Riding House Range
Situated atop an imposing ridge that would have provided the best defensive position for the original fortifications, Bolsover Castle comprises the Great Court, the Riding School Range, the Terrace Range and the Little Castle. The Riding School or Riding House Range was built in the 1630s by William Cavendish and remains both one of the finest surviving examples of its type and a testament to William's love of horses and the equestrian arts. He had entertained hopes, in vain as it turned out, of being appointed Master of the King's Horse. He did, however, pen a successful book on horsemanship titled La Methode Nouvelle et Invention Extraordinaire de Dresser les Chevaux and was regarded as something of an expert in the field.
The Little Castle at Bolsover
The Little Castle is generally regarded as the most intriguing and well preserved feature of Bolsover Castle. Reflecting the obsession of the 17th Century gentry with a perceived bygone age of chivalry and nobility, the Little Castle was based on the square design of a Norman keep. It was, however, larger, grander and incorporated a number of then-current design features and fashions, offering a unique mixture of styles. Much of the artwork and interior decoration has been preserved or meticulously reproduced, giving an example of what life must have been like here nearly four hundred years ago. Among the most stunning features are the lower dining room known as the Pillar Parlour, with its elaborately carved pillars and pictures depicting the five senses, the lavish star chamber with its glittering blue and gilded ceiling and the sumptuous panel paintings in the closets known as the Heaven and Elysium rooms.
Directions to Bolsover Castle
Bolsover Castle is situated in Bolsover, Derbyshire. If you're in the town you can't miss the castle - simply look around and up! Bolsover is approximately 6 miles east of Chesterfield on the A632 and the nearest motorway is the M1 (junctions 29 heading north or 30 heading south).
Sources: Bolsover Castle English Heritage Guide by Lucy Worsley, English Heritage audio tour guide to Bolsover Castle.
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