Bolsover Castle is a 17th-century Stuart showpiece — keep, riding house, and ruined terrace range — on a ridge above the Vale of Scarsdale in Derbyshire, managed by English Heritage. It’s one of the most impressive English Heritage sites in the Midlands. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport, parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
This guide was last updated in March 2026 to reflect the 2026/27 admission prices, valid from 28 March 2026. Bolsover’s winter opening is Wed–Sun (broader than most English Heritage sites), and from 13 February the castle opens daily through to the end of the season in March. Parking is free for all visitors in the town of Bolsover, including the castle car park.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Castle Street, Bolsover, Derbyshire S44 6PR |
| What3words | newspaper.ember.chapters |
| Opening hours | Daily 10am–5pm (summer); Wed–Sun in winter; daily from 13 Feb (see below) |
| Adult ticket | £13.85–£17.00 depending on date and day |
| Nearest train | Chesterfield (~6 miles); bus connections to the castle |
| Parking | Free town car parks including the castle car park; disabled/family parking 50m from entrance |
| Time needed | 2.5–4 hours |
Bolsover Castle opening hours
Bolsover has a distinctive winter schedule — it opens Wednesday to Sunday in winter (not Saturday to Sunday), and from 13 February onwards opens daily through to 16 March. The 2026/27 schedule is:
- 28 March – 24 October: daily, 10am–5pm
- 25 October – 1 November: daily, 10am–4pm
- 2 November – 23 December: Wed–Sun, 10am–4pm
- 24–26 December: closed
- 27 December – 1 January: daily, 10am–4pm
- 2 January – 12 February: Wed–Sun, 10am–4pm
- 13 February – 16 March: daily, 10am–4pm
Last admission 30 minutes before closing. Opening hours last updated in May 2026.
Bolsover Castle ticket prices
English Heritage members enter free. Concessions apply to visitors aged 65+, students, and jobseekers. An audio tour with hearing loop is included (subject to availability on busy days; a child-friendly version is also available).
Super Saver — Mon–Fri, 28 Mar–22 May & 1 Sep–1 Nov; daily, 2 Nov–16 Mar
| Visitor | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | £13.85 |
| Concession | £13.09 |
| Child | £6.88 |
Saver — Sat–Sun & bank holidays, 28 Mar–22 May & 1 Sep–1 Nov; Mon–Fri, 23 May–31 Aug
| Visitor | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | £15.38 |
| Concession | £13.85 |
| Child | £7.65 |
Standard — Sat–Sun & bank holidays, 23 May–31 Aug
| Visitor | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | £17.00 |
| Concession | £15.38 |
| Child | £8.50 |
Groups of 15 or more receive a 10% discount. Ticket prices last updated in May 2026.
Is it worth paying for English Heritage membership?
Entry prices for English Heritage sites, including Dover Castle, Stonehenge and Tintagel Castle, can seem extremely expensive. This is clearly a deliberate ploy to push visitors towards taking out annual English Heritage membership.
Membership gives free access to more than 400 sites across the country, and costs £82. That is, unless you get a special deal – there was a 25%-off Black Friday deal in November 2025, for example.
Whether that £82 is worth it depends on how many sites are near you (there are lots in the south of the country, not so many near me in Yorkshire). And, critically, whether you’re going to visit them with children.
Each member can take up to six children with them free of charge. Given the steep one-time entry fees, an adult member with two children is likely to recoup the cost of their membership by visiting just two or three sites within the year.
For an individual without children, I’d say English Heritage membership is worth it only if you’re planning to blitz a few sites in one year. For an individual with children, membership is a smart investment that will likely pay itself back within one school holiday. To me, it’s a no-brainer.
The real question is whether it’s worth renewing English Heritage membership after a year. That’s debatable, as you’re unlikely to go to many of these sites twice. I eventually renewed after I was offered 20% off the price. I’ll probably recoup the membership price visiting two sites in summer next year, even if I’ve ticked off most of the best ones near me.
If you buy membership through this link, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
How to get to Bolsover Castle
Bolsover Castle is on Castle Street, off the A632, in Bolsover town, 6 miles east of Chesterfield.
By bus: Stagecoach services 1, 2, 49, 53, and 53a run from Chesterfield, Mansfield, and Sheffield, stopping close to the entrance. Services from Chesterfield run approximately every 30 minutes. Check traveline.info.
By train: Chesterfield station (East Midlands Railway from London St Pancras ~2 hrs; from Sheffield ~15 min) is ~6 miles away. Take a Stagecoach bus directly to Bolsover from Chesterfield.
By car: Postcode S44 6PR or what3words newspaper.ember.chapters. Exit the M1 at junction 29A and follow brown English Heritage signs. No ULEZ charges apply.
Parking at Bolsover Castle
Parking in Bolsover town is free for all visitors, including non-members — including the castle car park on Castle Street. Disabled and family parking is ~50 metres from the castle entrance. Visitors with limited mobility can be set down outside the visitor centre without prior arrangement. Visitors using the overflow car park may need to cross a road to reach the castle.
How long to spend at Bolsover Castle
Most visitors spend 2.5 to 4 hours. The Little Castle warrants at least an hour; the Terrace Range, Fountain Garden, Riding House, wall walk, café, and play area each add further time. Allow the higher end on event days.
Accessibility at Bolsover Castle
The Little Castle is not accessible to wheelchair users — it involves over 100 steps. Interpretation boards in the Riding House provide context for those who cannot access it. The Terrace Range, Venus Garden, and parts of the Riding House and stables have level access. Disabled access to the Riding House and Terrace Range varies seasonally — call 01246 822844 before visiting. Visitors with limited mobility can be set down outside the visitor centre without prior notice. Disabled and family parking is 50 metres from the entrance; visitors using the overflow car park may need to cross a road.
Accessible toilets with baby-changing are in the visitor centre and next to the Riding House. Audio tour with hearing loop included. Dogs on leads welcome in the grounds — not in the Little Castle or at the horsemanship displays. Assistance dogs welcome throughout.
Inside Bolsover Castle: what to see
Bolsover was the creation of Sir William Cavendish (1592–1676) — poet, courtier, and horseman. Built on medieval foundations above Derbyshire’s coal country, it was designed not as a fortress but for pleasure and display. In 1634, Cavendish staged banquets and a masque for King Charles I and Queen Henrietta Maria that became one of the most famous entertainments of the Stuart age.
The Little Castle is the centrepiece: a miniature medieval fantasy tower built as Cavendish’s personal retreat, with painted ceilings, carved marble fireplaces, and richly decorated walls in the Elysium, Heaven, Hell, and Star Chambers. There are no ropes or barriers — the reproduction furniture can be touched and sat on. Cabinets of curiosity can be opened to reveal objects and stories. The circuit runs from basement kitchen to top-floor bedchamber, guided by the included multimedia guide.
The Terrace Range is now a roofless shell; the multimedia guide ‘rebuilds’ its grand rooms digitally as you walk. The Fountain Garden is replanted with 5,000 period-appropriate species around a newly opened banqueting chamber. The Wall Walk circles the garden with panoramic views. The Riding House — among England’s finest surviving indoor riding schools — reflects Cavendish’s passion for horsemanship. Cavalier Horsemanship displays (check events page for dates) bring the space to life with period-costumed dressage to Baroque music.
In 2026, a major project on Margaret Cavendish — William’s wife, philosopher, playwright, and first woman to attend a Royal Society meeting — is underway, supported by a £248,000 National Lottery Heritage Fund grant.
The large café serves hot meals, sandwiches, cakes, and children’s menus with Riding House views; outdoor seating and picnic benches are available. A wooden outdoor play area (mini Bolsover Castle) is next to the café. A gift shop and secondhand bookshop (Riding House gallery) are on site.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Parking is free for everyone | The castle car park and all Bolsover town car parks are free — including for non-members. |
| Winter opens Wed–Sun; daily from 13 Feb | From 13 February the castle opens daily through to 16 March — broader than most EH sites. |
| Little Castle has 100+ steps | Not wheelchair accessible. Allow 45–60 minutes for the full guided circuit. |
| Dogs in grounds only | Not permitted in the Little Castle or at Cavalier Horsemanship displays. |
| Check the events page | Cavalier Horsemanship displays do not run every day — check before travelling if this is a priority. |
Frequently asked questions about Bolsover Castle
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Bolsover Castle open in winter? | Yes, Wednesday to Sunday from November to mid-February, and daily from 13 February through to 16 March. |
| Is parking free at Bolsover Castle? | Yes. The castle car park and all town car parks in Bolsover are free for all visitors, including non-members. |
| Is Bolsover Castle accessible for wheelchair users? | Grounds, Venus Garden, and parts of the Riding House/Terrace Range have level access. The Little Castle requires 100+ steps. Call 01246 822844 before visiting to confirm seasonal access arrangements. |
| Are dogs allowed at Bolsover Castle? | In the grounds only. Dogs are not permitted in the Little Castle or at the Cavalier Horsemanship displays. |
| Is there a café at Bolsover Castle? | Yes. A large café with Riding House views serves hot meals, sandwiches, cakes, and children’s portions. |
| Is Bolsover Castle free for English Heritage members? | Yes. Members enter free and can bring up to six children free. |
Things to do near Bolsover Castle
Hardwick Hall (National Trust, ~6 miles south-east) is one of England’s greatest Elizabethan houses; charges apply. Sutton Scarsdale Hall (English Heritage, ~3 miles south-west) is a ruined baroque mansion with free open access — a stark contrast to Bolsover’s preserved interiors. Chesterfield town centre (6 miles west) has the famous twisted spire of St Mary and All Saints Church and independent markets. Peak District National Park begins ~10 miles west, with Chatsworth House (charges) and free moorland access.
More East Midlands travel
Other East Midlands travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- The extraordinary sacrifices of the Eyam plague village.
- Planning a visit to the Cromford Mills in Derbyshire.
- What to expect at Peveril Castle, Treak Cliff Cavern, Speedwell Cavern and Mam Tor in Castleton.
- Plan your visit to the Dovedale stepping stones in Derbyshire.
- What to know before visiting Nottingham Castle.
