FAR FROM ORDINARY   

 

Belvoir Castle is one of the finest examples of Regency architecture in England. Sitting proudly on top of a hill in Leicestershire, it commands majestic views of the surrounding rolling countryside. Capability Brown landscapes, exquisite interiors and impressive works of art all feature, including works by Gainsborough, Hans Holbein and Sir Alfred Munnings.    The Engine Yard is our newest addition and has something for everyone: a fantastic chance for retail therapy including homewares and gifts, everything you need for your garden and an abundance of local and artisan foods. The spa is perfect for an indulgent pamper, while The Fuel Tank is great for those wishing to refuel on delicious menu options. Quite unlike an ‘ordinary’ retail village, the Engine Yard boasts a very special atmosphere and is busy with events and special weekends throughout the Year.  LOCATION Belvoir Castle lies on the border of Nottingham, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire. Just eight miles from Grantham and 20 miles from Nottingham, many people choose to combine a two-day tour with the likes of either Melton Mowbray, Stamford, Newark or Lincoln.  NEW FOR 2019 Belvoir Castle is set to bring its ancestral characters to life. On our usual Castle opening days, you may find some of our guides in full costume pertaining to those who have both lived here and visited in years gone by. On our event days, you may well be presented with characters in relation to each event. We aim to make your visit to us memorable and fabulously enjoyable. Rooms will be enhanced and ‘decorated’ by life in the castle and it’s goings on!  The Engine Yard can also be added into your Castle Itinerary as an addition to your experience with us, culminating in a more bespoke visit to suit all tastes. Please see the booking form to make sure you include the Engine Yard in your visit.  Our special Christmas experience for tour groups is not to be missed. Marvel at the glittering Castle, decorated in its festive best. Meet colourful characters from Christmas (and Belvoir) past. Listen to carol singers whilst warming yourself with a mug of our special mulled cider and feasting on our perfect, plump mice pies. Then pop down to the Engine Yard where you can shop for something special at our new luxury retail village 

 

   

 

GROUPS TOURS AND ADMISSION INFORMATION  COACH TOURS AND GENERAL GROUPS A group booking can be made for 15 or more people. All group tours and admissions are bookable in advance. Admission includes access to the Castle grounds (formal and informal garden areas) where you can while away the hours wandering around the gardens. We have various walks and trails that are colour coded, vista points and maps for your guidance.  As a guideline we estimate that the walk around the Rose Garden takes 20 minutes, the Hermit’s Garden takes 45 minutes and our longest walk is the Duke’s Walk taking approximately two hours. Please note; some of our garden areas are uneven and may prove difficult for those visitors who have difficulty walking and/or are infirm.   The Castle (either free flow or guided tour) offers each visitor the experience of seeing this extraordinary home with its wonderful decor, and an understanding of its (sometimes colourful) history, as well as a glimpse of how the Castle is still used today. Your visit will enable you to see rooms such as the State Dining Room, the Picture Gallery, the Guard Room, the Chinese bedrooms, the King’s Room (and many others) before taking you into the old kitchens, the post room and the Dooms. The guided tour of the Castle takes a minimum of an hour but can take longer if a lot of questions are asked, on average we say to allow 1½ hours.  EDUCATIONAL GROUPS AND CHILDREN We welcome many educational groups and school trips. Although presently we do not offer curriculum-based tours, we do offer a fun based and informative experience. We always look to include relevant information and topics of interest and can incorporate individual requirements and bespoke packages to suit. 

Where children are bringing packed lunches, we look to accommodate this in the old kitchens or outdoors on the terrace (depending on preference and weather) and may provide a chance to meet our castle birds which proves immensely popular. School trips are priced at £9 per child (helpers are welcomed free of charge). 

 

   

 

CORPORATE AND SPECIALITY GROUPS  For particularly large and/or specialised group visits which require bespoke catering options, specialised tours or talks, or out of the ordinary activities such as Off Roading, Clay Pigeon Shooting or Gin and Wine Tasting Experiences please contact us directly. For this type of group, we may arrange alternative times to visit our usual opening dates depending on availability and request. We will be delighted to arrange a bespoke experience and can host a whole range of activities both daytime and evening. This type of group may include for example large farming organisations who are wanting tours of/talks on the estate and its enterprises, Team Building Event Days for corporate clients, WI groups who would like to combine our Castle tours with an activity and a group afternoon tea.  PRIVATE QUARTERS TOURS Our Private Quarters tours are open on dates specific dates throughout the year (please see our calendar dates separately). Usually undertaken by individuals, they can be booked by groups of up to 12. As the name suggests, this tour includes the rarely seen private quarters of the Duke and Duchess. The standard Castle tour is also part of your visit and is included in the ticket fee. This tour is always pre-bookable and we require information (names, contact details etc) for each individual. Please contact us and/or see the relevant booking form.  £50.00 per person.  FACILITIES Once inside the Castle grounds you will find our tearoom for refreshments, the gift shop, visitor toilets and first aid stations, alongside the ultimate attraction of the Castle and Gardens themselves.  LOCATION Belvoir Castle lies just off the A1/A52 on the border of Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire. Just eight miles from Grantham and 20 miles from Nottingham, many people choose to combine a two-day tour with the likes of either Melton Mowbray, Stamford, Newark or Lincoln. 

 

 

 

 

PRICES Garden only access (free flow)  £9.00 per adult/£5.00 per child.  Garden tour with our Head Gardener  £13.00 per adult/£9.00 per child  Add £5.00 per person to include a Free Flow visit to the Castle. Add £9.00 (per person to include a guided tour of the Castle  Capability Brown Tour with driver and guide around our Capability Brown landscape £13.00 per adult/£9.00 per child Add £5.00 per person to include a Free Flow visit to the castle.  Add £9.00 (per person to include a guided tour of the castle  A free flow visit of the Castle and Garden access £14.00 per adult/£10 per child.  A guided tour visit of the Castle and Garden access  £18.00 per adult/£14.00 per child. Audio equipment (if required) can be hired at £3.00 per unit.  Christmas Castle Tours £22.00 per head (includes a drink and mince pie)  Availability: 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 November; 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 December only. 

GROUP DINING OPTIONS  Arrival refreshments Morning tea/coffee and homemade biscuits   £4.00 per person  The Belvoir Cream Tea A delicious home-made scone with jam & cream & served with tea/coffee  £5.95 per person  Light Luncheon A choice of soup or sandwich, a slice of home-made cake & tea/coffee  £9.95 per person  Two course cold/buffet lunch (as part of Castle and Garden guided tour) (including tea/coffee/presse)  £15.00 per person  Group Afternoon Tea  A delicious array of sandwiches, savoury nibbles and sweet delights.  From £15 per person (a glass of something can be added for an extra £4 per head)  We can also offer bespoke tours and refreshment options – please do not hesitate to contact us for details 

 

OPENING DATES AND EVENTS We have pleasure in opening our doors to the public from Saturday 2nd March 2019 throughout the year. Please find full details of our opening dates and a list of our 2019 Events separately. Please note that Events may be taking place at the Castle and Gardens, the Engine Yard, on our Parklands or a combination of the areas.   Events taking place at the Castle and Gardens will be included in your admission price unless otherwise stated. If you wish to include events in other areas as part of your visit, please do not hesitate to get in touch and/or inform us.  OPENING TIMES The Castle  Free flow visitors 11.00am to 5.00pm (last admission 4.00pm Group Tours Arranged individually to suit your requirements  

 Note: Itineraries for all groups will be issued at the time of booking and will be devised to offer each group the best experience based on requirements. The Engine Yard is open every day throughout the year (with the exception of Christmas day and Easter Sunday). Opening times are 10am to 5pm (Monday to Saturday) and 10am to 4pm (Sundays), however, The Engine Yard as a whole or some of the various stores etc may be open late on some dates (especially during our Events), please check all dates and opening hours on https://www.engineyardbelvoir.com before visiting. 

 

PARKING AND COACH PARTICULARS Our coach and car parks are situated close to The Engine Yard at the base of the hill. There is a direct pathway up to the Castle. We are also happy to allow coaches to ‘drop off’ and ‘collect’ on the Cannonade Terrace (at the castle entrance) by prior arrangement where necessary – please see the booking form. The coach driver will be allotted a voucher for refreshments/lunch which he/she may use at either the Fuel Tank at the Engine Yard or at the Stewards Restaurant in the Castle. 

  

 

PLANNING YOUR DAY As previously mentioned, itinerary’ for groups will be issued on receipt of the booking form and devised to offer each group the best experience based on their individual requirements. Please provide us with your expected arrival and departure time, as well as any requests on your booking form/at the time of booking.  ACCESS Disabled access in the castle is limited, unfortunately, due to the nature of the building there are no lifts and upper-level rooms are accessed via the staircases which are all wide/shallow tread (to accommodate those very grand ballgowns of yesteryear!). Some of the gardens may present uneven surfaces and it’s worth noting that guests should wear appropriate footwear and attire for comfort and safety.  BOOKING INFORMATION Upon receipt of your booking form (please see booking form sent separately) we will be delighted to devise a personalised itinerary for your group and raise an invoice for the deposit amount to confirm your booking. Your deposit amount will be 20% of the total cost price, this will be a non-refundable amount, however, we appreciate that things like dates may change and will endeavour to make changes to accommodate where required. Your provisional booking (from the invoice being raised to payment being received) will be held for 14 days.  The outstanding balance is to be paid four weeks in advance of your visit.  If you have any questions at all, require any further information or would like to request anything more personalised, please do not hesitate to contact:  Sharna Penarski Visitor and Events Manager spenarski@belvoircastle.com