Belvoir Castle — Attraction in Melton

Visited on a Tuesday off peak in May. Weather was quite sunny but a few showers here and there for a couple minutes. Bought our tickets online but they can be purchased at the ticket office if needed. Car park is a pay and display which can be purchased from the machine as normal, or via text message (using phone credit) or via app (just park). We paid using the latter and you can also top up your stay on the app as you go around if needed. The first hour is free, after that you can pay for 2, 3 or over 4 hours. We paid £3.40 for 3 hours with the free hour not included.

There are toilets before the ticket office/entrance and also an ice cream shop/cafe. At the entrance you are given a wristband to wear as well as having your ticket scanned (if bought online).

Across the road from the car park is the Castle Engine area which has 2 hours free parking and also a pay and display for the longer stays. It's quite easy to walk across the road to it though. There are a nice selection of shops, cafes and bars there, as well as a play area for the little ones. I think there is also a furniture shop and a garden center, as well as a chocolatier, artisan food shop and a barbers. Toilets are also there if needed.

The Castle itself is lovely and the gardens are huge. The walk can be as long or as short as you prefer with various ways to go and paths to choose from. Some of the trails are 45 mins long with some being shorter and longer if you decide to walk more/different paths. We walked around the Japanese garden/woodland and the Duchess's Gardens the latter taking around 45 mins alone. We also went to the Root and Moss House and the tallest tree.

The car park, entrance, toilets and walk up to the castle is wheelchair and push chair friendly. Albeit quite a steep hill up to the Castle and Gardens. Might also be a struggle for those who might not be the strongest of walkers. However the Castle itself appeared to have lots of stairs and some narrow corridors/busy rooms. Which is understandable in order to maintain the historical aspects and decor. Parts of the gardens/grounds seemed suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs, however once you got past the Rose Garden and the Dairy it became more uneven terrain with stairs/steep hills. I doubt it would be the best experience for the full entry price with limited viewing, but each to their own. (Entry price £38 for two Adults).

Myself and my partner really enjoyed the Castle and the gardens, we didn't have enough time to explore all the gardens, missing out the walks past the Duchess's Garden. (Think it was Hermits walk or something alike and the Dukes walk onwards). We were able to follow signs to the car park in a different direction to where we came after viewing the Root and Moss House.

There is also a Gift Shop and Tea Room in the Castle (which is more wheelchair friendly) but there is a slight step into the castle itself. The gift shop has a nice array of items. Board games, soap, photo frames, surname bookmarks, personalised/custom lead boards for Dogs/pets, preserves, wooden craft items (cars, planes etc) and many more. The staff are also friendly and polite, tours of the castle are also available if needed/wanted but are not mandatory. There are also audio tours from what I gathered from the information boards scattered around the castle rooms. The information boards are very informative and clear and give a nice detailed account of what you are seeing. There is also a handy note at the bottom to guide you the correct way around the castle.

Overall I recommend Belvoir Castle and Gardens - even for a small stay visit of...

Belvoir Castle – a magical experience

Last night I arrived back home in Ireland after spending two magical days in Belvoir Castle and gardens. This was a delayed experience. I originally visited the castle back in September. Due to a glitch in the computer system, I wasn’t able to visit the castle even though I had a ticket for the day. This naturally left me very disappointed, after I had come a long way to see Belvoir Castle. Little did I know how well I would be looked after. A week later I got a phone call from Jacob at Belvoir Castle and was invited by her Grace, the Duchess of Rutland, and the Belvoir Castle team, to spend a night at the castle! I was very excited and blown away by this generosity. Two days ago, on the 19th of December, I arrived at Belvoir Castle. I was met by Cara, who showed me my room for the night. An amazing four poster bed and beautiful antique furniture and beautiful wallpaper! And a complimentary bottle of prosecco. I was pretty blown away. At 2pm, I was met by Sue, who did a private tour of the castle with me. Sue was a brilliant tour guide, very knowledgeable and happy to answer any of my questions. She was able to answer every single one of them. I got to see all the public rooms and the 12 days of Christmas installation, which made it even more magical. Afterwards I spent some more time going around the castle and went back to my room then to get ready for the Christmas Carol service. I had been invited to that as well! The Carol service was another magical experience, the singing of the choir was just beautiful. There were mince pies and both traditional and vegan sausage rolls and Prosecco again. The vegan sausage rolls were delicious! It was altogether a very beautiful experience. I spent a restful night in that beautiful 4 poster bed and got served breakfast by Karen, who took the time to talk to me and made me feel very welcome. After that I spent the rest of the day going around the castle and the beautiful gardens! My favourite place is Frog Hollow. The lovely Sarah in the tearoom kept my bag for me all day and was very welcoming and helpful. She also sells beautiful cakes and made me a hot chocolate with soya milk. Overall I spent two absolutely magical days and a night at Belvoir Castle. It topped all my expectations. I felt like I was living a dream. Some members of the team at Belvoir Castle made my experience even better. There was Stephanie, who was so nice and consoling when I was there in September and things didn’t go right, and who was there again this time and recognised me and was delighted that I got invited back. Also Emma, who works at the Fuel Tank at the Engine Yard, who contacted Jacob back in September and was very helpful and happy to hear, that I was invited to the castle. Sue, who made the tour through the castle very enjoyable for me. Karen, who was so lovely and made me feel welcome. Sarah at the tearooms who was so helpful and made me want to come back for more cake and hot chocolate. And Cara and Jacob, who were in touch with me through email and who were very helpful and nice when I got to meet them in person. I also want to convey my thanks to her Grace, the Duchess of Rutland, who made this experience possible for me. I will never forget it! And hopefully, despite the distance, I might...

Belvoir Castle, located on Woolsthorpe Road near Grantham in Leicestershire, United Kingdom, is a striking example of a historic stately home with a rich and layered history dating back to the Norman Conquest in 1066.

The castle stands prominently on a high ridge, offering commanding views over the Vale of Belvoir and the surrounding counties of Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, and Lincolnshire. Its name, derived from Norman French, means "beautiful view," which is fitting given its elevated and scenic position.

The current structure is a grand Gothic Revival building constructed in the early 19th century, designed by architect James Wyatt and later completed by Sir James Thornton after a devastating fire in 1816. Although it resembles a medieval fortress, it is essentially a mock castle built as a stately home for the Manners family, who have owned the estate since the early 16th century. The castle's architecture features romantic medieval elements, including a central tower reminiscent of Windsor Castle, blending historical grandeur with Regency elegance.

Belvoir Castle is set within an extensive estate of about 15,000 acres, known for its beautiful landscaped gardens originally designed by Elizabeth Howard, Duchess of Rutland.

The gardens include unique features such as a natural amphitheatre formed by glacial moraines and a historic summer house, with fresh water springs that support year-round blooms. The estate is also famous for its association with fox hunting, being the headquarters of the Belvoir Hunt since 1750.

Visitors to Belvoir Castle can explore lavish state rooms filled with fine art and period furnishings, including the Elizabeth Saloon and the Roman-inspired State Dining Room. The castle also offers a Regency-style tea room where guests can enjoy afternoon tea, a tradition popularized by the Duchess of Bedford in the 19th century. Beyond the castle itself, the estate includes a retail village and options for glamping and luxury accommodation, making it a versatile destination for history enthusiasts and tourists alike.

However, the castle has drawn criticism for its steep entry fees, which some visitors feel are not justified by the experience. Complaints often highlight the challenging uphill walk to the castle, though a shuttle service is available for those with mobility issues.

Belvoir Castle remains a private residence of the Duke of Rutland but is open to the public for tours and events, allowing visitors to experience its historical significance, architectural beauty, and stunning natural surroundings. Its blend of history, art, and landscape makes it a remarkable landmark in the...