Bolingbroke Castle
Bolingbroke Castle
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The remains of a 13th century hexagonal castle, birthplace in 1367 of the future King Henry IV, with adjacent earthworks. Besieged and taken by Cromwell's Parliamentarians in 1643. This site is managed by Heritage Lincolnshire. There is a small car park on Moat Lane. Wheelchair access is available at both entrances from Moat Lane. Please note that, although paths are cut in the grass, the ground is uneven in most places. There are no facilities at the castle but there is a pub nearby in the village, or the market town of Spilsby, 3 miles to the west, has a variety of shops and places to eat. Please be aware that there is water in the moat surrounding the castle. Dogs on leads are welcome.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
83 reviews
Excellent
38
Very good
36
Average
8
Poor
1
Terrible
0
harlyc
worcestershire
Sep 2021
Free to park on road side. Free entry to site.
Historical link to Henry IV.
The information boards are useful to help the imagination as the castle is literally a ruin but worth stopping by for a short visit.
Historical link to Henry IV.
The information boards are useful to help the imagination as the castle is literally a ruin but worth stopping by for a short visit.
Written September 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ronnie A
Carlisle, UK
Aug 2020
I learnt about Henry IV and John of Gaunt at school a long time ago, so it was a great surprise to find this important monument to their time. English Heritage has done a great job with the description boards to give the visitor a feel for the layout and the atmosphere of the original structure. A good place for a leisurely visit, perhaps with a picnic.
Written August 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jul 2019 • Couples
I don't live far from here and to say it's for couples isn't totally true, families can enjoy too. Thanks to Mr Cromwell there isn't much leftof the berth place of Henry iv but on a sunny day this is the perfect sheltered sunny picnic place to be.
With only the village traffic and the odd RAF rumble it really is peaceful.
I'd say it's one of my favourite places and probably shouldn't even be telling you. And it's FREE
With only the village traffic and the odd RAF rumble it really is peaceful.
I'd say it's one of my favourite places and probably shouldn't even be telling you. And it's FREE
Written April 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yorkterrier01
York, UK
Jul 2021
This is now a ruined and flattened (after the English Civil War) castle but it was the birthplace of Henry Bolingbroke who became Henry IV of England. It is nice to pay a visit but you won't need to spend significant time here. It is free entry.
Written October 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lgreen9
Northampton, UK
Aug 2020 • Family
Visited to our on our way to a mablethorpe camp site. Visited in the rain with dog and children. We enjoyed exploring the remaining walls and the signs really helped to inspire. Beautiful views. Easy to find using sat nav. A bit of parking near the gate.
Written August 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Giuseppe Cincindella
Rosyth, UK
Jul 2021 • Couples
Nice and quite place in a very small village. Interesting walk along the ruins of the castle built there in 1220. Just ruins but you can see the perimeter, the rests of the towers, the entrance where the bridge was. An historical place to visit.
Written July 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maria C
Loughton, UK
Sep 2020
Bolingbroke castle ruins are the lower outer wall ruins with a dried up moat around the outside. This is a lovely place to pay a visit to if your in the area and to go for walk but you would find it hard to spend more than an hour to hour and a half here.
There are information boards around the grounds which explain which each of the rooms would have been used for and a rough idea of what they would have looked like which is quite interesting.
There are information boards around the grounds which explain which each of the rooms would have been used for and a rough idea of what they would have looked like which is quite interesting.
Written October 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2014Jandy
Calgary, Canada
Apr 2017 • Couples
We visited early evening and found it is located in a lovely village. There is only enough room for 3-4 cars so if you can find a parking space a little further away it may be worth doing that and making the short walk.
It is just ruins but there are lots of information boards, its free to visit and you can walk around inside the ruins and also around the outside where the moat is. If you have small children with you keep a close eye out as there is a lot of water around the outside.
Lovely visit and very interesting. Hard to believe there was once a great castle here.
It is just ruins but there are lots of information boards, its free to visit and you can walk around inside the ruins and also around the outside where the moat is. If you have small children with you keep a close eye out as there is a lot of water around the outside.
Lovely visit and very interesting. Hard to believe there was once a great castle here.
Written April 28, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Historylovergirl
Yorkshire, UK
Apr 2014 • Couples
Very ruinous, but must have been very imposing in it's day! Would love to see it on a misty day, surrounded by the marshes, hillocks and humps. Quiet, atmospheric and a lovely place for a picnic, the castle lies in the lovely village of Old Bolingbroke, and is free to visit.
Suspect that this place never gets busy, but it is the birthplace of one of England's most interesting Kings, and hero of Shakespearean drama. Worth the pilgrimage for lover's of Middle Ages history, walking in the footsteps of John of Gaunt, Katherine Swynford and others.
Take a picnic, explore the village and just enjoy the peace and quiet!
Suspect that this place never gets busy, but it is the birthplace of one of England's most interesting Kings, and hero of Shakespearean drama. Worth the pilgrimage for lover's of Middle Ages history, walking in the footsteps of John of Gaunt, Katherine Swynford and others.
Take a picnic, explore the village and just enjoy the peace and quiet!
Written April 5, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
debidozi
Brighton
Oct 2021 • Friends
I’m taking a visit to this Historic Place as I share the same name. Hopefully I’ll get a Royal Welcome
Written October 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Bolingbroke Castle
- Bolingbroke Castle is open:
- Sun - Sat 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near Bolingbroke Castle:
- (0.12 mi) NO. 1 Hope Cottage
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- (2.73 mi) The Elm Tree
- (4.58 mi) Greetham Retreat Holidays
- (8.46 mi) Mill Farm Leisure
- Restaurants near Bolingbroke Castle:
- (0.05 mi) The Black Horse Inn
- (2.81 mi) George & Dragon Pub
- (3.36 mi) Nelson Butt
- (6.25 mi) Montebello Ristorante
- (2.60 mi) Rachel's Cafe