Bolsover Castle

Bolsover Castle with its turrets and battlements rising from a hilltop dominates the vale below. Within the grounds you can find ‘The Little Castle’ on the foundations of an original 12th century Norman Castle.If you are a Harry Potter fan you can pretend to practise your ‘Flue Powder’ magic in the carved fireplaces, otherwise you can enjoy the richly painted rooms, panelling and fantastic views of the countryside from the windows. Adjoining the Little Castle are the roofless Cavendish apartments and the Terrace Range State Rooms, great to explore and imagine how grand they would have been. Also in the grounds is an indoor riding school dating back to the 1630’s it is one of the oldest surviving examples of its type in Europe.

Venture out into the Gardens and you will find one of the rudest fountains that I have ever seen, the boys certainly thought it was funny, they took loads of pictures of the cherubs and mythical beasts.

The day we visited there was a Knights’ master class, it was great fun trying on the armour and practising sword fighting. After the sword fighting it was time for a picnic in the grounds and then a coffee for me in the visitor centre whilst the boys decided on their souvenir from the gift shop.

One of the best things about Bolsover Castle is that it's maitained by English Heritage, at their properties you can sit on the wall, touch fire place, climb the stairs etc, generally pretend that you belong to it's past. Have Fun.