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
In 1964 The 17th/21st Lancers Museum was established in Belvoir Castle by kind permission of his Grace the Duke of Rutland. In 1993 this regiment amalgamated with The 16th/5th The Queen's Royal Lancers to form The Queen's Royal Lancers.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.
|
Opening Times
|
|
(2006 times)
Castle: 1st April to 30th September:Tuesday to Thursday, Saturday and Sunday 11.00am - 5.00pm. Closed Mondays and Fridays except Good Friday and Bank Holiday Mondays. Gardens: All as Castle. |
|
Admission Charges
|
|
(2006 prices)
Castle and Gardens: Adult £10.00; Student/Senior Citizen £9.00; Child (5-16) £5.00; Family (2A 3C) £26.00. Free guided tours take place on weekdays at 12 noon and 2.30pm. Gardens only: Adult £5.00; Child Free. (not available on Sunday event days). Please telephone for group discounts. |
|
Directions
|
|
The Castle is 6 miles from the A1 at Grantham and 12 miles from Melton Mowbray. Leicester, Nottingham and Stamford are within half an hours drive. Follow the brown heritage signs from the A1, A52, A607 and A46. |
| Show map of Belvoir Castle... |
|
Nearby Attractions
|
|
Melton Carnegie Museum
(10 Miles)*
This exciting newly refurbished museum contains informative and innovative displays. |
|
Millgate Museum
(12 Miles)*
The Museum has fun educational activities for children and fascinating exhibitions including streets, shops and rooms in period settings. |
|
Nottingham Racecourse
(14 Miles)*
With over 100 years of history, Nottingham Racecourse offers a wealth of tradition, great facilities and excellent value for money. At its heart is the modern Centenary Stand, complimented by the recently refurbished Grandstand. |
| more nearby attractions... |
|
Nearby Hotels
|
|
Nearby Self Catering
|
Copyright © 1999-2008 Excelsior Information Systems Limited.
All rights reserved.
Press Room Terms of Use Privacy Link to Us Self-Catering Advertising Index Site Map

