Belvoir Castle, (pronounced Bever), in Leicestershire is one of the few castles where you are permitted to take photographs inside of the building.  You pay at the entrance for a £2 permit and you can take as many as you want.  For a permit you can also use a video camera (I didn't check the price on that because I don't own one).  The only place you cannot take photographs is in the Regimental Museum, which because it is still part of the Ministry of Defence is understandable.  Anyway, since I was allowed to take photos I made the most of it.  Therefore the page on this castle will be less historical text and more pictures than the others on this site.

The approach to this castle thats history dates back to Norman times is up a hill.  You park at the foot of the hill and walk upwards to the castle which is hidden from view in the trees.  The first entrance to the Statue Gardens is along this road.  The statues here date back to the late 17th century and still stand proud on the hills approaching the castle.

The castle itself comes into view very suddenly as the hedge falls away to reveal the splendour of this beautiful building.

The entrance to the castle is through the Pre-Guardroom where there is a collection of weapons before you reach the ticket desk which is based in the Guardroom itself.

Following the clearly marked route the first stop is The Queen's Royal Lancers Regimental Museum which details the history of the Royal Lancers right up to the present day including accounts of many of the battles they fought and a large collection of items and uniforms showing how the Lancers have changed over the years.

Next on the route is the Grand Staircase and Landings and the Ballroom where there is a fine collection of portraits and other interesting memorabilia.

We then head to the Chinese Rooms and the most beautiful room in the building, that being the Elizabeth Saloon, (the photo of which did not come out very well, unfortunately, and therefore cannot be seen here in its splendour).

We then head to the Grand Dining Room where the large table dominates the room together with the giant silver wine-cooler, weighing 1,979 ounces.

After the Grand Dining Room there is the picture gallery to see.  In this room there are many portraits of notable characters from history including a full length portrait of Henry VIII.  There is also, surprisingly, a bed in this room!

Out next stop is the King's Rooms.  Where firstly you can see the Sitting Room and then go through into the Bedroom.

After these rooms we find ourselves in the Regent's Gallery, which like the Elizabeth Saloon seemed easy to photograph but did not turn out very well.  However here is the photo from the guide book which shows some of the splendour of this room.

The Gallery is a long and beautiful corridor filled with staatues, pictures and other momentos from another age.

After the Gallery it is on to the two libraries, first the small library and then the larger one.

After the libraries it is on to the Chapel and Outer Chapel where the paintings on the wall are as well preserved as those in the rest of the castle despite the considerable drop in temperature.

After visiting the Chapel there is a choice of where to go next.  The Old Kitchen, the Beer Cellars or to the restaurant.

And after you have seen all there is to see inside the castle there are the expansive gardens to wander though.

I was also lucky enough to be able to go to Belvoir Castle on one of the four days of this year where the Nottingham Jousting Association would be attending for a tournament.

Lucky as well that the weather stayed fine and that it was very entertaining for everyone.

While part of the show was plain comedy and fun the audience was reminded at the beginning that while the jousting poles were blunted the swords and other weapons were very real and dangerous.

The two pictures below are from the tournament.  I apologise for the poor quality but I did not have sensible shoes on for climbing down the steep hill to a closer seat.  I could see very well but my camera does not come with a zoom lense so that you can see too.
 

For your information the first picture is where the jousting contenders are lined up to salute the audience and the second was taken while everyone was fighting each other in a melee.

A very enjoyable day out with plenty to see and some of the most beautiful rooms on display.