Bolsover Castle (Bolsover)
Bolsover Castle is a splendidly positioned castle high on a rocky ridge at Bolsover in Derbyshire.
The original castle was built in the Norman period by William Peveril, but it was later forfeited to the Crown when his son fell out of favour, having poisoned the Earl of Chester.
In 1613, it was sold by the Talbot family to Sir Charles Cavendish, son of the Countess of Shrewsbury, better known as Bess of Hardwick.
Cavendish built what is known as the Little Castle, designed for pleasure, as can easily be seen by the erotic paintings around the walls. His son William added the riding school.
Charles I visited in 1633 and was entertained by a masque provided by Ben Jonson.
During the Civil War the castle was slighted but later partly rebuilt.
Bolsover Castle is now in the care of English Heritage.