Belvoir Castle

Belvoir Castle’s regency architecture and surrounding gardens which date back to the Norman invasion were used in The Da Vinci Code and as a backdrop for Netflix’s The Crown. It provides a majestic spectacle, set high on a hill with views across several English counties. Its stately terraces, and battlemented walls and turrets, have been features of the Vale of Belvoir since the 1830s.

Pronounced 'beaver', its name derives from the meaning 'beautiful view' in French and dates back to Norman times. Commanding extraordinary views of the 16,000-acre estate, the castle remains one of the most magnificent and beautiful Regency houses in England, with its rising turrets and towers like an illustration in a romantic fairy-tale.

However, the first castle to be built on this site dates back to the 11th Century when William the Conqueror gifted the land to one of his barons – Robert de Todeni, his Standard Bearer at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. This is the first recorded ancestor of the Duke of Rutland whose family have lived on the site in an unbroken line for almost 1,000 years.

The Castle visitors can see today dates from 1832 and is regarded as one of the finest examples of Regency architecture in the country. Special tours of the Castle can be booked providing a unique opportunity to view some of its most opulent rooms as well as a glimpse of life below stairs.

The estate surrounding the castle contains formal gardens and woodland, all with stunning views. The latest garden restoration programme brought the lost plans of Capability Brown to fruition.

Today the interiors of Belvoir Castle have been popularised through films and TV series such as The Crown, Da Vinci Code, Victoria and Abdul and The Young Victoria. Often used in place of Windsor Castle, Belvoir provides a regal backdrop for historical dramas depicting the British royal family.

The Castle and Gardens are open on selected dates from Spring onwards. To visit, book a tour or view the events programme visit www.belvoircastle.com.

Next to Belvoir Castle visitors will find The Belvoir Retail Village, an exclusive rural shopping experience developed in what was once a sawmill and wheelwright’s shop. The Village celebrates the best of our local food and country living, featuring stylish fashion and accessories as well as the latest homewares.

The ancestral home is the fourth castle to stand on the site and was built in the early 1800s for the 5th Duke and Duchess of Rutland. The current family take great pleasure in welcoming visitors and sharing its many unique rooms. Featuring Capability Brown landscapes and exquisite interiors, its grand historic beauty can be seen in the popular Netflix series 'The Crown' as it doubles up as Windsor Castle, as well as films such as 'The Young Victoria' starring Emily Blunt and 'Victoria & Abdul' starring Judi Dench.

In the gardens, a brand new Adventure Playground is inspired by the iconic architecture of Belvoir Estate and its past and present explorers. Altogether the playground covers four acres and is a safe space for imaginations to run free! Featuring a giant timber castle, along with a ship and towers, it is perfect for children and teenagers of all ages to explore!