Name: Bolingbroke Castle
Rating: 5.0

Bolingbroke Castle

Moat Lane, Old Bolingbroke, Spilsby, Lincolnshire PE23 4HH, UK

1-99 Years

Paid

Website

Contact

Message

Description

Bolingbroke Castle was one of three castles built by Ranulf de Blundeville, Earl of Chester and Lincoln, in the 1220s after his return from the Crusades (the others being Beeston Castle, Cheshire, and Chartley, Staffordshire). After Blundeville’s death, the castle remained in the ownership of the Earls of Lincoln and was later inherited through marriage by John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster.

The remains of a 13th-century hexagonal castle, famous as the birthplace in 1367 of Henry of Bolingbroke, the future King Henry IV. A Civil War Royalist base, it was besieged and taken by Parliamentarian forces in 1643.

Free Entry. If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: No

Features

Royal Connections: An extremely powerful member of the royal court, John of Gaunt became the guardian of Richard II when the young king succeeded to the throne at the age of 10. John of Gaunt and his first wife, Blanche, lived at the castle during the 1360s. Their son Henry of Bolingbroke was born there in 1367.
Henry had a tempestuous relationship with Richard II and was exiled in 1397. He returned to England after the death of his father in 1399, enraged that the king had seized the estates he had inherited. Richard was in Ireland, attempting to quell a rising, when he heard of Henry’s return.
These events marked the end of Richard II’s reign. Henry of Bolingbroke was encouraged to claim the throne of England from his unpopular rival, and Richard was imprisoned. Soon afterwards, Henry was crowned king as Henry IV. There is no documentary evidence to suggest that Henry IV ever returned to his birthplace.
Bolingbroke as Administrative Centre: The main function of the castle during the 15th and 16th centuries was as an administrative centre for the estates of the Duchy of Lancaster. The current names of the towers, for example the Auditor’s Tower and Receiver’s Tower, refer to their use during this period.
The English Civil War: During the Civil War (1642–8), Bolingbroke Castle became a defensible base for a Royalist garrison. In early October 1643, it was ordered to surrender by a Parliamentarian officer representing the Earl of Manchester. When the garrison refused, Parliamentarian forces surrounded the castle. Its garrison held out until 14 November before surrendering.

Facilities

Parking: There is a small car park on Moat Lane.
Food & Drinks: There are no facilities at the castle but the market town of Spilsby, 3 miles to the west, has a variety of shops and places to eat.
Dogs: Dogs on leads are welcome.

Website

Contact

Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Free Entry.

Pricing URL: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/bolingbroke-castle/opening-times/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Open any reasonable time during daylight hours.

Address: Moat Lane, Old Bolingbroke, Spilsby, Lincolnshire PE23 4HH, UK

Post Code: PE23 4HH

Council: East Lindsey

County: Lincolnshire

Road Access: In Old Bolingbroke, 16 miles north of Boston off A16.
Bus Access: Translinc Spilsby Call Connect (TC Minicoaches) service 6S will operate to Old Bolingbroke on request. To book telephone 0845 234 3344
Train Access: Thorpe Culvert 10 miles.
Bicycle Access: Find this site on The National Cycle Network.
Parking: There is a small car park on Moat Lane.