We have so much culture and heritage to celebrate in Bolsover District, ancient castles, prehistoric caves, links with the renowned Cavendish family. With motorway links, places to visit and stay, there is more to the District than you may realise.
Bolsover Castle - Derbyshire
The house today stands on the site of a medieval castle built by the Peveril family shortly after the Norman Conquest. Sir Charles Cavendish bought the old castle and began work on his ‘Little Castle’ project in 1612. His creation – despite its embattled appearance – was not designed for defence, but for elegant living. Sir Charles intended the house as a retreat from the world to an imaginary golden age of chivalry and pleasure. His son, William, who later became a Duke, inherited the Little Castle in 1616 and set about its completion, assisted by the designer John Smithson. William then added the stately rooms of the Terrace Range and, in 1634, invited the Stuart court to a masque specially written for the occasion.
Hardwick Hall
Essentially two massive old country mansions that stand as magnificent Elizabethan memorials to the astute and notorious 'Bess of Hardwick'. The Hardwick family had owned and farmed the land since the 13th century, and Elizabeth was born in 1527 in the medieval manor house that once occupied the site.
Crewell Crags -what is it?
Creswell Crags is a limestone gorge honeycombed with caves and smaller fissures. Stone tools and remains of animals found in the caves by archaeologists provide evidence for a fascinating story of life during the last Ice Age between 50,000 and 10,000 years ago. Further evidence came to light in 2003 with the discovery of Britain's only known Ice Age rock art. Creswell Crags was among the most northerly places on earth to have been visited by our ancient ancestors, a story that is unique on a European and World scale. All of the caves are protected by metal grills to preserve the rare archaeological deposits that remain inside. At the east end of the gorge is the Museum and Education Centre
. The gorge is part of the Creswell Heritage Landscape Area.
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