Our Ultimate Guide to Belvoir Castle
Driving towards Belvoir Castle you can’t help but see the spiralling turrets of the castle emerging from its woody mound in the distance, only to see the castle disappear as you arrive at the conveniently located car park, beneath the castle. This is all part of the magic of Belvoir, as you walk up the hill past the magical gardens, you are suddenly faced with the imposing honey-coloured facade of the castle in all its splendour.
Home to the Dukes of Rutland, the present castle is the third to stand on this site, built by renowned regency architect James Wyatt in 1801. It is reputedly home to one of the most beautiful rooms in England: Haddon’s Long Gallery is a stunning Elizabethan masterpiece, with incredibly intricate panelling & carving and views across its gardens and parkland. But its story goes back further, with the oldest sections of Haddon dating back to the 11th century. It is currently in the care of Lord & Lady Edward Manners, and has been passed down through marriage to several families including the Vernon family, who were responsible for building much of the hall.
Whats’On
Coming up is Belvoir’s Coronation weekend! Celebrate the coronation of His Majesty King Charles in the grand setting of Belvoir Castle. Belvoir benefits from a packed schedule of events throughout the year, from Easter Egg Trails (April) to the splendour of the Festival of the Horse (September) and the unmissable magic of Christmas at Belvoir (November-January) there is plenty to do throughout the year.
The Castle
We suggest starting at the castle, where you can explore the sumptuously decorated regency rooms, that have been preserved in their original form. After walking through the grand portico at the front of the castle, you reach the warmth of two crackling fires in the Guard Room, hung with weaponry, flags and the heraldic symbols of the Manner family. Belvoir’s interiors are an incredible variety of gothic & regency splendour punctuated by glorious paintings by renowned artists such as Holbein & Stubbs. Of note is Belvoir’s stunning collection of hand-painted Chinese wallpaper - one of the bedrooms has recently been redesigned with the help of handmade wallpaper specialists de Gournay and designers from Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler. Before leaving the castle head into the labyrinth of former servants’ rooms & kitchens, where you will reach the charmingly decorated tearoom for a spot of lunch.
Gardens
The gardens at Belvoir sit on several levels on the gentle slope beneath the castle. Filled with hidden treasures from bubbling fountains to sculptures and stunning views of the Vale of Belvoir below. Designed by the renowned gardener Harold Peto, the gardens are reminiscent of an Italian palazzo’s, with formal beds and manicured topiary. Perhaps the greatest gem of all though is the Woodland Garden below, punctuated by grottos and follies and filled with wildflowers, the Woodland Garden is a magical way to begin a stroll into the Capability Brown Landscape that surrounds the castle.
Stay
Vale House is a newly refurbished B&B, personally designed by the Duchess of Rutland, which sits neatly between the castle & Engine Yard, giving you the chance to get the most out of your visit to Belvoir.
Shop & Dine
Any visit to Belvoir must include a trip to the Engine Yard – Belvoir’s unique retail experience. With a myriad of shops selling fine goods, local artisans, dining options and even a full-blown spa you could spend a whole day exploring just the Engine Yard. The Duchess Gallery has been personally curated by the current Duchess of Rutland, featuring a wide variety of high-quality interior items, bath & body and ladies’ country and evening clothing.
Useful Links:
Belvoir Castle: https://www.belvoircastle.com
The Engine Yard: https://www.engineyardbelvoir.com
Belvoir Holidays: https://belvoirestateholidays.com