Belvoir Castle

Welcome to Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire, England. The ancestral home of the Duke and Duchess of Rutland for one thousand years. The castle is currently the family home of the 11th Duke, Duchess and their young family.

The name Belvoir means 'beautiful view' and dates from Norman times. The Castle occupies a commanding position with breath taking views across the Vale of Belvoir.

The present Castle is the fourth to have stood on the site since Norman times, the existing Castle was completed in the early 19th century after previous buildings suffered complete or partial destruction during The Wars of the Roses, the Civil War and a major fire in 1816.

From the elegance of the Elizabeth Saloon and the majesty of the State Dining Room to the delights of the Regents Gallery and the military splendour of the Guard Room, Belvoir possesses one of the most stunning interiors of the period.

The Castle also contains a notable collection of furniture, porcelain, silks and tapestries, sculptures and paintings. There are examples of fine French furniture, Italian sculpture alongside paintings by Gainsborough, Reynolds, Holbein and Poussin.

Below the terrace of the Castle sloping lawns lead down to the Rose and Statue Gardens which are elegantly laid out round a central fountain. The Statue Collection terraced into the hillside includes work by Caius, Cibber - Sculptor to Charles II.

The Duchess' Spring Gardens, secluded in woodland half a mile from the Castle, create a haven of tranquillity. The term 'Spring' refers to a water spring rather than the season. Surrounding the rustic summer house, dating from 1800, the gardens have been lovingly restored to their original beauty. These magical woodland gardens, set in a natural amphitheatre with fresh water springs, are carefully planned to ensure plants bloom all year round.

The Spring Gardens are open to groups throughout the year by arrangement with the Belvoir Castle Opening Office.

The Queen's Royal Lancers Museum

The Museum tells the story of these old and famous cavalry regiments in a series of displays featuring weapons, uniforms, medals, silver and dioramas of significant battles. A separate guide, detailing the history of the regiment and providing an accompaniment to the displays, is available inside the Museum.