English Heritage

1216First Barons’ War

A group of barons fight against King John after he refuses to accept the terms of Magna Carta. Bolsover Castle is besieged.

1322Temporary Abandonment

The garrison stands down and the buildings gradually fall into decay.

1600The Cavendish Family

Bess of Hardwick’s son Charles Cavendish buys Bolsover and makes it his main residence.

1611-17A Modern Norman Castle

Charles commissions Robert and John Smythson to build the Little Castle.

1618-33Fit for a King

Charles’s son William inherits. He completes his father’s decoration of the lodge house and renovates the ‘old house’ with state apartments, a gallery and a hall.

1634Royal Feast

Charles I, Henrietta Maria, their royal entourage and all of Nottinghamshire’s and Derbyshire’s gentry feast at Bolsover. They are entertained by Ben Jonson’s Love’s Welcome at Bolsover.

1640-44Civil War

William is appointed commander-in-chief of the northern Royalist counties. After his wife dies and he loses the Battle of Marston Moor, he despairs and goes to Paris in exile.

1649Demolition

The Parliamentary Council of State orders the slighting (deliberate destruction) of Bolsover to prevent it being used by Royalists.

1650A Cavendish Return

William returns from abroad and buys back his estates. He grants Bolsover to his sons, who carry out repairs.

1770sRomantic Return

Bolsover passes through marriage to the Dukes of Portland. The Terrace Grange is unroofed, becoming a ruin that attracts antiquarian and artistic interest.

1833Guardians

John Hamilton Gray becomes vicar of the parish. He and his family carry out alterations and repairs to the Little Castle, where they live as guardians.

Early 20th CenturyTown Use

The riding house becomes a drill room and theatre, and the castle yard a bowling green and tennis court.

1920s-1930sEnvironmental Damage

Massive cracks from slipping limestone bedrock threaten the castle's stability. A nearby Coalite plant damages the stonework with acidic pollution.

1945Open to the Public

The Ministry of Works takes over, stabilising the structures and gradually opening the site to the public.

Learn more about the history of Bolsover Castle.