Bolsover Castle

Bolsover Castle is a fascinating piece of English history set in stunning countryside near Chesterfield. The site centres around the beautifully preserved Little Castle, an intricately decorated 17th-century mansion built by the Cavendish family, featuring ornate marble fireplaces, sweeping staircases and period paintings that give a real flavour of Cavalier-era life. Beyond the main castle, there are extensive ruins to explore across the grounds, winding paths through landscaped areas including a pleasant walled garden walk, and spectacular views across the surrounding landscape on clear days.

Families with children aged 5 and upwards will find plenty to occupy them here. The Little Castle itself is manageable to explore over 2-3 hours, with its maze-like rooms and atmospheric interiors keeping older children interested. There's a small playground on site, and the discovery centre provides context for what you're seeing. Younger children may find the audio guide tricky to use while keeping an eye on them, so picking up printed information at the entrance can help. The site is dog-friendly in the open-air areas, and there's free parking available.

On-site facilities include a cafe for refreshments, and the castle is wheelchair accessible with accessible parking and facilities. It's worth noting that some visitors feel the ticket price is on the higher side, though many consider the experience and setting more than justify the cost.