Bolsover Castle

CastleDerbyshireEnglish Heritage4.6(6,893 on Google)

Website

£18.10

non-member

Free

EH members

4.6

on Google

Open

see times

Bolsover Castle is a seventeenth-century retreat built for entertaining rather than defence, cared for by English Heritage above the Vale of Scarsdale. William Cavendish hosted Charles I and Queen Henrietta Maria here in 1634, and the Little Castle still holds painted ceilings, carved fireplaces and richly decorated rooms including the Star Chamber. A multimedia guide brings the roofless Terrace Range to life, while the wall walk overlooks the Fountain Garden and its statue of Venus. The Riding House recalls Cavendish's passion for horsemanship, and families can try dressing up or use the castle-themed playground. Reviewers particularly enjoy the ceiling paintings and views from the walls. Tips from visitors: arrive early for the small free car park and bring a layer for the exposed hilltop. The Little Castle has many narrow steps and is not wheelchair accessible; parts of the grounds and Riding House offer level access. Dogs on leads are welcome in the grounds only.

Opening times

Spring & summer hours

Castle and grounds10:00 - 17:00

Opening time details

Open daily 10am to 5pm until 24 October 2026, then daily 10am to 4pm from 25 October to 1 November. Last admission is 30 minutes before closing.

From 2 November to 23 December 2026, open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm. Closed 24 to 26 December; open daily 27 December to 1 January, 10am to 4pm. Check the official calendar for later winter dates.

English Heritage members enter free with their membership card. Advance booking is optional; tickets are valid all day within opening hours. National Trust membership alone does not cover admission.

The Little Castle is not wheelchair accessible. The Terrace Range, Fountain Garden and parts of the Riding House have level access, but routes include gravel, uneven ground and narrow steps. Call 01246 822844 for current access arrangements.

Dogs on leads are welcome in the grounds, but not in the Little Castle, Riding Range or horsemanship displays. Assistance dogs are welcome throughout. Horsemanship displays run on selected event dates, not every day.

Pricing

Free entry with English Heritage membership

Entry

Non-member prices

Adult

£18.10

Child (5-17)

£9.00

Concession

£16.30

Family (2 adults, up to 3 children)

£45.40

Family (1 adult, up to 3 children)

£27.20

Pricing details

Standard-day walk-up price without a voluntary donation. English Heritage members enter free. Prices vary by date; booking online by midnight the day before saves up to 15%. Adult walk-up prices range from £16.30 on off-peak dates to £20 on peak dates.

Parking

Free for everyone

No charge for anyone.

Parking details

English Heritage confirms that Bolsover Castle car park and parking in the town are free. No membership or JustPark check-in is required.

The map pin is the Castle Street car park. Reviewers describe it as small and advise arriving early, particularly at weekends and in school holidays. Additional free parking is available in Bolsover; follow the parking map on the official website.

Disabled parking is 50 metres from the site entrance. Visitors with limited mobility can be dropped off outside the visitor centre without booking.

Bolsover Castle

Opening times

Pricing

Parking

Pins

Reviews & Tips (0)

Facilities