Discover Bolsover's Deep & Vivid History

“The Peak District town built around the extravagant home of William Cavendish, Duke of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.”

The name Bolsover or Belesovre, as described in the Domesday Book, is thought to originate from the Old English wording of Bull’s Ridge and Boll’s Ridge, although this has never been officially confirmed. The book, however, describes Belesovre as the property of William Peverel (Later known as Peveril) and became the seat of the Peverel family during the 12th century.

Unlike most larger population centres, Bolsover and its’ surrounding villages have perhaps changed less than most. The town’s early development during the Middle Ages followed the building of William Peveril’s 12th-century castle, making it one of only two planned towns in Derbyshire. Castleton being the other.

Eight centuries later, the linear grid street pattern of Castle Street – Middle Street and Church Street, together with the parallel streets of Nether Street (Town End), Hockley valley and High Street, are the perfect examples of middle age town planning.

In its early period of growth, Bolsover was a prestigious settlement built around its castle stronghold, recognised for its’ strategically important position. Standing on the spur of an escarpment at the head of the deep Hockley valley, it commanded far distant views towards the Peakland hills, thus making the north and west sides virtually unassailable.

The town’s first market charter was granted by Henry III in 1225, followed by a period of little growth and change. Predominantly Bolsover was agricultural in character, with small pockets of industrial activity through stone quarrying, pottery, and the manufacture of buckles and spurs. In fact, Permian Lower Magnesian Limestone from quarries at Bolsover Moor was used in the construction of the Houses of Parliament.

The building by Charles and later by William Cavendish of their exotic mansion, the present castle we see today, did not involve a significant change to the town. However, the 17th and early 18th centuries saw the building of substantial farmhouses, particularly on High Street, Market Place, and Church Street. Very few of these remain today and where they do, their farmland has long since been built on. Nonetheless, the handsome stone features of the remaining ones contribute much to the general townscape scene.

Unfortunately, by the early 19th century, Bolsover had become a ‘decayed market town.’ Indeed, the market was discontinued towards the end of the 18th century. Bolsover’s population remained relatively static at around 1,300 people until the 1890s when the 6th Duke of Portland granted leases to the newly formed Bolsover Colliery Company Limited to sink its’ network of pits in North Derbyshire and North Nottinghamshire.

In modern terms, the first coal mining started in Bolsover in 1890 and so began the town’s growth from an agricultural backwater to the mining town it was, until colliery closures in 1992. During this time, the population increased rapidly to around 10,000, where it has stayed with minor adjustments ever since. Bolsover’s area grew with New Bolsover becoming a superb example of a colliery village in a valley setting. This was followed by smaller, less well-planned developments at New Palterton, eventually called Hillstown, Bentinck at Shuttlewood and Carr Vale. The latter was built as a village for both colliery and brickworks. Even the surrounding villages of Scarcliffe, Palterton and Upper Langwith were not untouched by the red brick and Welsh slate of miners’ terraces, providing a mixture of agriculture and industry, still seen today in the productive allotments.

Little did we know that in 1891 when Emerson Bainbridge asked Winifred, Duchess of Portland, to open the winding gear of Bolsover Colliery for the first time, how the village would change as a result of such industrial development, or indeed that one hundred years later this same colliery would be closed taking away all that it had brought.

With the colliery’s closure in 1992, Bolsover lost the mainstream of its’ industrial base. Yes, like many towns that found themselves in this precarious position, it was tough. But not anymore. Bolsover is now completely reinvigorated, having found a new identity as a shopping, community and tourist town. In a recent survey, it was voted as one of the happiest places to live in the UK, quite a turnaround.

Roy Christian described the approach from the west as “like some lovely hill town in Tuscany,” and a Sunday Observer travel writer wrote, “it’s a gem of a landscape and composition.”

So, step into a memorable journey in your life and ‘Visit Bolsover’, a unique little town steeped in history, culture and untold stories.

Content provided by Bernard Haigh of Bolsover Civic Society.

Bolsover Castle

Bolsover’s fairytale masterpiece stands high on a ridge above the Vale of Scarsdale on the eastern edge of the Peak District. It’s a great place to spend a day, with plenty to see and do for the whole family.

Initially built in the 11th Century by William Peveril, one of William the Conqueror’s knights, Bolsover Castle has witnessed a checkered past. However, it is arguably most famous for its 1600 transformations under the instructions of a certain William Cavendish, riding master to King Charles II. 

William was responsible for commissioning an enormous Riding House at the site, built at the side of the existing castle. This quickly became a landmark in British equestrianism and William would bring in horses from all over the world to train them in his passion for dressage. 

Outside of his love for horses, William liked the finer things in life and loved art decor. This was reflected in the Little Castle’s remarkable wall paintings and interiors, which can still be seen today. As a renowned playboy, William loved nothing more than a good party and Bolsover Castle certainly hosted many!

Bolsover Castle Today

Visiting Bolsover Castle today is an investment in interesting sites and activities. The intricate decorations of the Little Castle and the charming riding house will take you back in time to the 17th century, where you can visualise master rider William Cavendish training his horses.  

Exploring the Terrace Range, where once the grand dining room, long gallery and basement kitchen bore witness to lavish, extravagant parties, which still hold many secrets, is a must for any visitor.

Venturing onto the scenic wall walk firmly places you in the footsteps of Bolsover’s Cavalier courtiers, and from here, you can admire the picturesque Fountain Garden in all of its glory, with the famous Venus Fountain at its centrepiece. 

Bolsover Castle also offers a number of audio-visual displays and activities for children, a cafe, gift shop and playground. Special events days take place throughout the year and you can find out more about these at English heritage e.t.c.