Belvoir Castle

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Belvoir Castle in the late 19th century.

The south west range and round tower of Belvoir Castle from Jones' Views of the seats of Noblemen and Gentlemen, published in 1829. The medieval castle had been replaced after the Civil War and again rebuilt in the romantic style illustrated between 1799 and 1816, but in the latter year it had been almost destroyed by a fire. It was rebuilt again to largely the same designs, and barring minor details this image shows the castle as it remains today.

Belvoir Castle today.

Belvoir Castle (pronounced Beaver) is a stately home in the English county of Leicestershire, overlooking the Vale of Belvoir (grid reference SK820337).

A Norman castle originally stood on the high ground in this spot. During the English Civil War, it was one of the more notable strongholds of the king's supporters. It eventually passed into the hands of the Dukes of Rutland and following a fire, was rebuilt, its present façade dating from the 19th century. The architect James Wyatt was chiefly responsible for this restructuring, and the result is a building which bears a superficial resemblance to a medieval castle, its central tower reminiscent of Windsor Castle.

The castle is open to the public and contains the Regimental Museum of the 17th and 21st Lancers, as well as many works of art. The landscaped grounds are also popular with visitors. Several films and television programmes have used it as a location, notably the film Little Lord Fauntleroy starring Sir Alec Guinness. The castle itself was used as a filming location for The Da Vinci Code - it represented Castel Gandolfo, the Pope's summer residence.

The castle is near several villages, including Redmile, Woolsthorpe, Harlaxton, Croxton Kerrial and Bottesford, and the town of Grantham.

The Duke of Rutland also owns a hotel/restaurant named the Manners Arms which is located in nearby Knipton.