Belvoir Castle Castle
Historic castle with panoramic Leicestershire countryside views
Perched above the Vale of Belvoir, the stately home of the Dukes of Rutland offers guided tours of lavish state rooms, formal gardens, and occasional military displays. Visitors come for architecture, garden walks and seasonal events.
Belvoir Castle at a Glance#
Address: Belvoir Castle, Grantham, Leicestershire NG32 1PE, United Kingdom
Website: https://www.belvoircastle.com
Hours: Seasonal - check website
Admission: Gardens and grounds: ~£10-£18 (variable); castle events and tours priced separately
About Belvoir Castle#
Belvoir Castle is a country house and historic castle located on a prominent ridge in Leicestershire, England, overlooking the Vale of Belvoir. It serves as the ancestral seat of the Dukes of Rutland and is notable as a landed English country house with landscaped grounds.
The house and grounds include formal terraces, parks and gardens; visitors typically tour state rooms, grounds and seasonal exhibitions when the castle is open to the public. The ridge location provides views across the surrounding agricultural landscape for several miles.
The site has hosted successive manor houses or fortifications on the ridge for several centuries and was rebuilt and remodelled in stages, forming the present country house that stands today. It has continuously functioned as a family seat and estate center through the modern period.
The castle sits near the village of Belvoir in eastern Leicestershire, approximately 8 miles (13 km) south of Grantham and close to the border with Lincolnshire. The surrounding landscape is rolling farmland and parkland.
- Ownership and use: The castle has long been the seat of the Manners family, the Dukes of Rutland, and remains a private residence as well as a visitor attraction.
- Viewing point: Good views over the Vale of Belvoir are available from the castle terraces and surrounding parkland, which are best visited in good daylight.
How to Get to Belvoir Castle#
Belvoir Castle is about 10 miles east of Grantham. By car take the A52 and follow local estate signage; nearest rail stations are Grantham (about 25-30 minutes by taxi) or Bottesford (shorter taxi ride). Consult the official website for seasonal opening days and event schedules.
Tips for Visiting Belvoir Castle#
- If visiting for a weekday house tour, confirm the castle's public opening on the official website-openings are seasonal and tied to events.
- Park at the visitor entrance on Grantham Road to avoid steeper estate roads; the approach through the walled garden presents the best first view.
- The estate still functions as a family home-be respectful during events and photography near private areas.
Best Time to Visit Belvoir Castle#
Visit in the late spring through early autumn for house tours, garden access and estate events; check the castle website for exact seasonal openings.
Weather & Climate near Belvoir Castle#
Belvoir Castle's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 1°C to 21°C. Moderate rainfall (649 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 1° - 6° | -1° | 57 mm | overcast | 94% | 5.4 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.1h |
| February | Poor | 1° - 7° | 0° | 46 mm | overcast | 90% | 5.2 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.7h |
| March | Acceptable | 2° - 9° | 2° | 49 mm | overcast | 86% | 5.4 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | 4° - 12° | 5° | 50 mm | overcast | 82% | 4.7 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 13.8h |
| May | Good | 7° - 16° | 11° | 49 mm | overcast | 80% | 4.4 m/s | 1.2 high | 15.5h |
| June | Good | 9° - 18° | 14° | 58 mm | overcast | 80% | 4.0 m/s | 1.4 high | 16.5h |
| July | Good | 12° - 21° | 16° | 49 mm | overcast | 80% | 3.9 m/s | 1.4 high | 16.0h |
| August | Good | 11° - 21° | 16° | 58 mm | overcast | 81% | 3.9 m/s | 1.1 high | 14.5h |
| September | Good | 9° - 18° | 13° | 56 mm | overcast | 83% | 4.3 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Acceptable | 7° - 13° | 8° | 56 mm | overcast | 88% | 4.5 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.4h |
| November | Acceptable | 4° - 9° | 3° | 59 mm | overcast | 93% | 4.8 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.6h |
| December | Poor | 2° - 7° | 1° | 62 mm | overcast | 95% | 5.1 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.5h |