BOLSOVER CASTLE

Derbyshire

Bolsover Castle is one of the most visible Castles in England.  It stands within sight of the M1 motorway and dominates both the small town of Bolsover and the wide valley up which the M1 travels.

It's history is quite complex.  The Castle was raised by the Peverels (see also Peveril Castle) but was forfeited in 1155 and became property of the Crown.  The Castle remained a Royal property until 1553.  It isn't quite clear when it was fortified in stone, but as the chief remains from the medieval period is a curtain wall it is possible that it was done by the Peverels as their main Castle, Peveril, was built in this way.  The Peverel's initial Castle was besieged on King John's behalf and the walls were breached.

The famed "Bess of Hardwick", Lady Shrewsbury, designed a new Castle when it was sold to her family around the late 16th Century.  In 1608 her son, Sir Charles Cavendish, had the Castle completed and the main range we see today dates from this period of building.  The most fascinating feature is "The Little Castle" (extreme right of picture) which is an unusual "mock keep".  Most so-called "mock gothick" Castles take the form of a quadrangular building or a crenellated mansion, but the Little Castle is a gothick keep, very convincing when seen from the valley and (apparently) on the position of the original keep.  Inside is a succession of rooms, the most magnificent of which is entirely panelled in carved oak.

The Castle was briefly garrisoned in the Civil War, but by then it wasn't very defensive beyond its commanding position.

The ruins are today owned by English Heritage.

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2018