Bolsover Castle – The Medieval Castle

The design of the Little Castle drew inspiration from the earlier medieval fortress that stood on the site.

There was a castle at Bolsover from the late 11^th century, owned by the Pereril family of Castleton in Derbyshire. After the 12^th century the castle was in royal hands, and had a set of royal chambers and a chapel, as well as barns and kitchens. Without an later military use it was leased out, and by the 16^th century it had fallen into ruins.

Vigorous work began on the Little castle in 1613, soon after Charles Cavendish bought the site. Labourers, including women and boys, were paid for ‘taking down old walls’ and bringing stone from nearby quarries.

The basement of the Little Castle was finished around 1617. Nothing remains of the medieval castle, although the garden wall follows part of the old inner bailey wall.

Bolsover Castle, click on any thumbnail to view the images in a gallery.

Bolsover Castle, Derbyshire. It was built in the early 17th century by the Cavendish family, on the site of a medieval castle founded in the 12th century by the Peverel family.