Visit the remains of a 13th century hexagonal castle, birthplace in 1367 of the future King Henry IV, with adjacent earthworks. 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.
Guided Tours
Parking
Groups Welcome
01529 461499
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.
opening times
entry & prices
more information
Moat Lane
Old Bolingbroke
Spilsby
Lincolnshire
PE23 4HH
Tel: 01529 461499
things to do in the area
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Visitor Centre
Discover this rare opportunity to see historic wartime aircraft seen in flypasts at major national celebrations....
Boston
Gunby Hall
Discover the lively past of the Massingberd family in their former country house home full of character and charm with eight acres worth of gardens, sweeping formal...
Spilsby
Tattershall Castle
Tattershall Castle is an impressive moated building owned by the National Trust. Built by Robert de Tateshale in the 15th century having received permission from Henry...
Tattershall
Alford Manor House
Alford Manor House, dating from 1611, is of Georgian and Victorian design and is one of the largest thatched manor houses in the...
Alford
Claythorpe Watermill
Claythorpe Watermill is a small, family run attraction set in the grounds of an 18th century watermill. The mill last ran in the late 1970s but you can still see the...
Aby, near Alford
Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre
Visit this living memorial to the 55,500 men of Bomber Command who lost their lives....
Spilsby
Lincolnshire Poacher Cheese
At Lincolnshire Poacher Cheese, we are absolutely committed to producing the very best cheese that we possibly can (with a little help from our 230 Holstein Fresian...
Alford
Red Hill Nature Reserve
Discover Red Hill Nature Reserve, a steep natural chalk escarpment with acres of plateaued wild landscape with wild flower...
Stenigot, Louth
Stourton Estates
Stourton Estates is a traditional family farm in a beautiful historic parkland setting with spectacular grounds, lakes and trails to...
Baumber, Horncastle
Wolds Wildlife Park
The county's newest zoo with an exciting variety of animals including wild mammals and domestic animals. Book an amazing wildlife experience. ...
Horncastle
Woodhall Spa Woods
Woodhall Spa Woods boasts beautiful broadleaf woodland, with scenic accessible routes and provides habitats for various...
Woodhall Spa
Lincolnshire Limewoods
Bardney Limewoods National Nature Reserve contains Britain’s largest concentration of woodland dominated by small-leaved...
Bardney, Lincoln
South Ormsby Estate’s Lincoln Red Beef
South Ormsby Estate's rare-breed Lincoln Red cattle spend their time grazing seasonally on a 3,000-acre country estate in the heart of the Lincolnshire...
Louth
St Wilfred’s Church
St. Wilfrid’s Church celebrated its 650 year anniversary in the year 2000. There are some original features including a 14th Century...
Alford
Tattershall Lakes Water Park
For thrill seekers – wake boarding, jet skis and a fabulous aquapark. For those looking to take it easier there’s pedalo...
Tattershall
Walled Garden Baumber
Walled Garden Baumber is an innovative and exciting garden, full of hidden surprises and vastly different from the traditional kitchen garden that it once...
Baumber near Horncastle
Lincolnshire Wolds Cycle Route
Discover the Lincolnshire Wolds on bike as you cycle through quiet towns and villages, past abbeys, castles, stately homes and century old farms and some of the oldest...
The Wolds Area
more like this in the county
Belvoir Castle
Belvoir Castle is one of the UK’s finest Regency castles. The ancestral home of the Duke of Rutland with an unbroken line for almost a thousand years. Enjoy exploring...
Grantham
Burghley House
Burghley House is one of the largest surviving Sixteenth century houses. Conceived by William Cecil, Lord High Treasurer to Queen...
Stamford
Doddington Hall & Gardens
Beautiful Elizabethan manor house just outside Lincoln with flemish tapestries and walled gardens displaying a pageant of colour all year round. Don't...
Lincoln
Gainsborough Old Hall
A hidden gem found in the North of Lincoln. Built by Thomas Burgh in 1460, Gainsborough Old Hall is over 500 years...
Gainsborough
Harlaxton Manor
Harlaxton Manor is an architectural masterpiece with exquisite formal gardens. Constructed in 1830 by Anthony Salvin for...
Grantham
Lincoln Castle
This world class attraction was originally built by William the Conquerer. Visit for Medieval Walk Walk, Victorian Prison, Magna Carta Vault and much...
Lincoln
Lincoln Cathedral
A spectacular and globally iconic landmark and must see tourist attraction. Standing tall over the city of Lincoln for thousands of...
Lincoln
St. Botolph’s Church
St. Botolph's or 'Boston Stump' is one of the largest parish churches in England, and has one of the tallest Medieval towers in the country....
Boston
Tattershall Castle
Tattershall Castle is an impressive moated building owned by the National Trust. Built by Robert de Tateshale in the 15th century having received permission from Henry...
Tattershall
Woolsthorpe Manor
Visit this National Trust owned 17th century Lincolnshire farmhouse where Sir Isaac Newton had his famous revelation about...
Woolsthorpe by Colsterworth, Grantham
Ayscoughfee Hall
Set in 5.5 acres of gardens, Ayscoughfee Hall provides a fascinating glimpse into Spalding's past....
Spalding
Boston Guildhall
Visit Boston Guildhall and Pilgrim Cells, a beautiful medieval building and treasured museum at the heart of...
Boston
Browne’s Hospital
Browne's Hospital is a late medieval almshouse and guild hall. It was founded by William Browne, a very rich wool merchant, with his wife Margaret in 1475 and granted...
Stamford
Claythorpe Watermill
Claythorpe Watermill is a small, family run attraction set in the grounds of an 18th century watermill. The mill last ran in the late 1970s but you can still see the...
Aby, near Alford
Cogglesford Watermill
Visit Cogglesford Watermill that dates back to Saxon times for an expierience at the only Sheriff's watermill still in operation in England....
Sleaford
Grimsthorpe Castle
Grimsthorpe Castle is a majestic structure with its central courtyard and extensive parkland of great antiquity retaining its original...
Grimsthorpe, Bourne
Heckington Windmill
Discover the impressive Heckington Windmill, grinding flour for over 200 years using grain from local...
Sleaford
Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre
Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre is a small museum dedicated to the men and women who served in and supported 106 Squadron, Royal Air Force Bomber Command from 1943...
Metheringham, near Sleaford
Mrs Smith’s Cottage
Hilda Smith’s humble, homely cottage grants visitors unique access and insight into the life of a rural Lincolnshire...
Navenby
Saint Wulfram’s Church
St Wulfram’s is a Grade I Listed cathedral-like medieval parish church in the heart of Grantham and of nationally recognised...
Grantham
The Old King’s Head
The history of The Old King's Head and its custodians reflects the cultural heritage of the local area, prosperous landlords and vigorous rivalries between the church,...
Kirton, near Boston
The Old Rectory, Epworth
Explore the house with one of the knowledgeable Old Rectory tour guides, learning about the life of the Wesley family when they lived in the 18th century. You can...
Epworth, near Scunthorpe
Bishop’s Palace
Standing almost in the shadow of Lincoln cathedral, with sweeping views over the ancient city and the countryside beyond, the medieval bishops’ palace was once among...
Lincoln
Humber Bridge
The Humber Bridge is a Grade 1 listed landmark and is the longest bridge allowing passengers to cross by foot or bicycle....
Barton upon Humber
Navigation House
Visit Navigation House for a Grade II listed canal company office with interactive exhibits detailing the history of travel and trade by canal. Perfect for all ages, you...
Sleaford
Newport Arch
Visit the oldest archway in the UK still used by traffic, which is part of Lincoln’s Roman North Wall. Newport Arch is the inner face of the north gate of the Upper...
Lincoln
Sibsey Trader Mill
Sibsey Trader Windmill is one of the few six-sailed mills remaining in England....
Boston
St Wilfred’s Church
St. Wilfrid’s Church celebrated its 650 year anniversary in the year 2000. There are some original features including a 14th Century...
Alford
Tupholme Abbey
Explore this area of the Witham Valley and you will come across amazing survivals of the nine monastic abbeys built in the early medieval period....
Lincoln
Waltham Windmill
Visit Waltham Windmill, a six-sailed windmill located in the village of Waltham, five miles from Grimsby in North East Lincolnshire, to see one of very few windmills in...
Grimsby
Holbeach Royal Observer Corps Underground Monitoring Post
The Heritage Trust of Lincolnshire was offered an intact bunker near Holbeach in south Lincolnshire...
Holbeach, Spalding
Hussey Tower
Hussey Tower was built around 1450 by Richard Benyngton, collector of customs and excise in Boston, during the period in which it was the wealthiest port in England...
Boston
Tattershall College
Tattershall College is the ruin of a grammar school built in the late 15th century. It is one of a complex of buildings built by Ralph, Lord Cromwell, including...
Tattershall
