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Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire

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Belvoir Castle, (pronounced Beaver) near Grantham in Leicestershire, was originally a Norman castle built on high ground, which saved the bother of having to build the usual huge pile of soil on which most Norman castles stood. Belvoir became the home of the Dukes of Rutland, and in various incarnations played a role in the Wars Of The Roses and the English Civil War as a royalist stronghold. But in many ways Belvoir is more valued as an idealised image of the past rather than being historic in itself. A serious fire in 1816 destroyed much of the castle, and it was then rebuilt in a kind of mock medieval manner by architect James Wyatt, directed by the wife of the 5th Duke. Wyatt was the most fashionable architect of his day, bringing a patina of historical grandeur to the homes of many wealthy clients. Wyatt would produce classical styles for those who wanted them, and was also adept at medieval styles when they were required. The 5th Duke's wife decided on a medieval look. Wyatt may have been a kind of set designer for the rich, but he was a good one. Whereas most architects doing a medieval makeover simply stuck a few battlements on a facade and used pointed windows, Wyatt went for a more all round effect, using towers and spires, and carefully irregular groupings of buildings. Belvoir shows all these "medieval" characteristics.

Today Belvoir continues as the home of the Manners family, the Dukes of Rutland, as it has for five hundred years. Their "medieval" home, created by the early nineteenth century's best historical set designer, is, as you would expect, widely used as a film location for historical dramas. The castle was used in The Da Vinci Code, playing the part of the pope's summer residence, Castel Gandolfo. It has also been used as a location for The Young Victoria (2009), The Young Sherlock Holmes (1985), The Haunting (1999), and Jim Henson's version of Jack And The Beanstalk (2001). So Belvoir may be the sort of place that Lord Farquard from Shrek would live, but that is not to take away from its beauty, or even its historical significance. History is always a changing picture which each age paints for itself. In many ways Belvoir is an accurate picture of how history is created as an image.

Inside the castle there are collections of military items, art, tapestry and historic furniture. The old kitchen and bakery have been restored to give a sense of life for those who served their wealthy masters in the house. A recreated regency schoolroom demonstrates how lessons and children's play would have looked in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century.

 

 

Opening Times: Do check opening times before visiting, as Belvoir is not open often, and opening times can change to accommodate weddings. Opening times are usually 11am - 5pm, last admission 4pm, on the following days:

6th, 7th, 13th, 14th, 20th, 21st, 27th and 28th of May.

3rd, 4th, 5th, 10th, 11th, 17th and 18th of June.

1st, 2nd, 8th, 9th, 15th, 16th, 23rd, 29th and 30th of July.

5th, 6th, 12th, 13th, 19th, 20th, 26th and 27th of August.

Guided tours are provided at 11.15am, 1.15pm and 3.15pm.

Directions: Belvoir can be approached via the A52 between Nottingham and Grantham, or the A607 between Grantham and Melton Mowbray. Click here for an interactive map centred on Belvoir Castle.

Address: Belvoir Castle, Grantham, Leicestershire NG32 1PE

Access: Wheelchair access is limited to the ground floor of the house, and only parts of the grounds. A virtual tour is available of upper floors. Wheelchair users are admitted free. There are disabled toilet facilities. Assistance dogs permitted but no other dogs allowed.

Contact:

telephone: 01476 871002

web site: http://www.belvoircastle.com/index.asp

for group visits: harvey@belvoircastle.com