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Bolsover
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Bolsover Castle

Bolsover Castle: Hours, Address, Bolsover Castle Reviews: 4.5/5

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Bolsover Castle

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Bolsover Castle
4.5
1,481
#1 of 8 things to do in Bolsover
Castles
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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About
With spectacular views over Derbyshire, the fairy-tale Stuart mansion, Bolsover Castle, was designed to entertain and impress. Its reputation for revelry lives on as we now entertain you and your family. Wander the lavish rooms of the Little Castle, explore the romantic ruined terrace range, and delight in the views from the wall walk. Start your visit in the exhibition in the Riding House then run wild in extensive grounds (and fun play area).
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Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
36 within 3 miles
The Pump
206
208 ft$$ - $$$ • Dessert • Cafe • British
Courtyard Kitchen
48
0.1 mi$ • Cafe • British • Vegetarian Friendly
The Pillar of Rock
426
173 ft$ • Quick Bites • Bar • British
Blue Bell
76
0.1 mi$ • Bar • British • Pub
The Coffee Cup
10
150 ft$$ - $$$ • Cafe • British
The Beehive Cafe
8
123 ft$$ - $$$ • Cafe • British
The Cavendish
31
457 ftBar • Pub
Julie's
5
246 ft$ • Deli
Mason's Little Cafe
7
0.1 mi$
The Fidlers Rest
1
0.2 mi
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Attractions
8 within 3 miles
Bolsover Antique Centre
47
74 ftAntique Shops
St Mary & St Laurence, Bolsover
7
0.2 miChurches & Cathedrals
Carr Vale & Peter Fidler Nature Reserve
2
0.2 miBodies of Water • Nature & Wildlife Areas
Bolsover Cundy House
1
0.3 miHistoric Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Hardwick Hall and Gardens
2,508
2.7 miHistoric Sites • Gardens
Bolsover Methodist Church
4
0.7 miChurches & Cathedrals
Sutton Scarsdale Hall
129
2.2 miHistoric Sites
Glapwell Nurseries
58
2.6 miGardens
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Popular mentions
4.5
1,482 reviews
Excellent
814
Very good
481
Average
123
Poor
35
Terrible
29
pjr2200
Nottingham, UK102 contributions
Could be so much better
Jul 2021 • Family
We visited July 2021. To start we were ordered about by the lady at the gate who appeared to be selling English Heritage membership but was actually trying to sell tickets as well. We had pre booked tickets and had printed barcodes expecting a rapid entry. Her attitude was not the best!

The castle could be so much better as it is a series of semi empty rooms with display boards to read. Ideal if you are patient without children but we had ours with us. My belief is that the rooms could have been 'dressed' to give some historic relevance.

The grounds are well kept but the castle displays need to be interactive with staff focusing on the customer.

Value for money this is poor
Written July 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
speedfreak13
Lincoln, UK60 contributions
Jousting
Jul 2021 • Couples
We went to the jousting tournament at Bolsover Castle. Because we have been a few times we didn't look around the castle but it is very worthwhile visiting it. The jousting was very good. There was also a falconry display and fire eating. With all the things going on it was a very worthwhile visit
Written July 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Charles_and_Susan
Nottingham, UK4,175 contributions
Plenty to see, relaxing
Jul 2021 • Couples
We wanted some relaxation for a couple of hours and booked a slot here. The views from the castle ruins are great. I expect in the time it was inhabited that the hills and valleys in front of the castle would have been forested rather than the village and motorway we see today.

The "Little Castle" is a well preserved Tower that you can wander around, not yet as many rooms open as usual but hopefully fully open soon.

Takeaway cafe with usual NT stuff. I had a treat of the premium hot chocolate - yummy.

There's a wall walk around the enclosed garden where the fountain was flowing - never seen it going before. Buildings for horse riding shows too. Plenty to see on a visit.
Written July 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Michael W
Bedfordshire, UK101 contributions
Excellent, historic and beautiful
Jul 2021
Never been here before and thought is was a fantastic place to visit.
A large site with long history. Very good interior with views from many points and a lovely Wall Walk. The Fountain Garden was also beautiful on the day we visited.
One of the best English Heritage sites we have seen and while social distancing was well signed there were only a few visitors while we were there but masks were worn while inside the Little Castle by everyone. Only saw one member of staff around the castle and others in the shop.
The shop was the same as other EH sites but the 'Restaurant' seemed to be limited in the choice of something for lunch. Latte served was far too hot, "Italian" coffee should not be boiling!!
As a member it was free but whatever the cost this is a site well worth a long visit.
Written July 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jamie G
Wigan, UK294 contributions
Concise but beautiful property
Jun 2021
A really beautiful site to visit with unimaginable views out of the gallery terrace. Fascinating interior too and a good shop, really would recommend visiting Bolsover - we were done in around 1hr 30mins. Thanks also to Barry, the very informative guide within the Little Castle!
Written June 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Anne Marie G
792 contributions
Very unusual property however social distancing not adhered to.
Jun 2021 • Couples
Enjoyed our 3 hours here.We parked at the dedicated car park at tge side of a pub just acouple of minutes walk from the property entrance.Exhibition room 3 was full of information and very few visitors in there (all wearing masks though.) The views are breathtaking towards Hardwick Hall.The Little Castle is where you need to wear a mask which we did.There are very small rooms off main rooms-some of which are so small that to observe social distancing it would be impossible yet an elderly volunteer with a visitor walked straight into one of these tiny rooms where my husband was not giving 2 metres clearance( he wasn't wearing a mask I presume for medical reasonable but no wonder Derbyshire has a fast-fast-growing no. of Covid 19 cases.This made my husband very anxious and he left the room sharpish but no apology from the volunteer from la-la land.Management please train your staff properly. It took the edge off the day.
The castle garden and Venus fountain was enchanting and beautifully kept. The shop staff were very helpful and nothing was too much trouble.The greeter when we entered the property was very pleasant and professional. So a mixed bag on customer service by staff hence4 stars but would've been 5! Didn't visit the cafe or toilets but the property was well- kept.
Written June 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
CockneyBrum
Worcestershire, UK2,393 contributions
Beautiful Bolsolver
Jun 2021
This is definitely our favourite English Heritage property of them all so far. The castle is in a stunning location, visible from the M1 with plenty to see. Bolsover itself is a pretty town/village.

Of course, it wouldn't be an English Heritage property without the odd ruin, but there's a fair bit of the castle to see with its beautiful rooms to go in and enjoy.

Staff were lovely and very welcoming. Social distancing was very well implemented and the toilets were clean.

Our favourite part was having a picnic in the walled garden area with a view of the fountain. This would make a great place to have a pop-up ice rink! The children's play area is very well done. We had some events for half term which were good too.

On-site parking is a bit limited, but you can park a few streets away for free if you don't mind a short walk.
Written June 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
MICK0950
Hinckley, United Kingdom370 contributions
Well presented property
Jun 2021
Once we had found a place to park, we enjoyed a veery interesting visit. The indoor Riding School was especially impressive and there were lovely views from the upper floors.
Written June 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Wonderar
Hertfordshire, England.935 contributions
A lovely place to visit.
Jun 2021
As English Heritage members we stopped here on our way home from the Peak district. So glad we did as very much enjoyed our visit. A beautiful place inside and out. It was obviously the home of an extremely wealthy man going by the decorations in the castle. The grounds are also very well kept with fabulous views for miles so all well worth seeing.
We also had the sausage and fried onions baguettes with drinks from the onsite cafe. They went down a treat! Also bought my nephew his birthday present from the gift shop too! Very well worth the visit on our way home.
Written June 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
slimdave
slimdave109 contributions
Beaut property
May 2021 • Couples
Definitely stop on approach if you're coming up to it from the south side ( I think got that right) so you can take photos as it looks stunning on top of the hill. This place is like a cross between an old state home and a castle, you can see the evolution from defense to peaceful times where looking to reflect wealth. Nice grounds for some lunch.
Written June 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Bolsover Castle
Bolsover Castle is open:
  • Sun - Sat 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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