Belvoir Castle

Belvoir Castle is approached from the bottom of the hill and the first view is of Wyatt's yellow stone south-west front.

The projecting tower is at the west end and at the east are the Gothic windows of the chapel.

The bleaker north-west and north-east ranges created by Thoroton were constructed of grey stone and incorporate some neo-Norman detail.

A carriage-porch gives access to the rib-vaulted entrance hall or Guardroom which is decorated with ancient flags and weapons. From here staircases lead to the principal rooms on the second floor.

The most sumptuous rooms are on the north side and reflect the variety of styles fashionable in the Regency period.

The corridor or Ballroom was created in Early English Gothic style. A model of the 1655 - 58 house is displayed here.

After passing through a bedroom and dressing room decorated in mid-18th century chinoiserie style the visitor enters the main drawing room, known as the Elizabeth Saloon after the 5th Duchess.

This lavishly gilded room was decorated in the Louis Quinze manner by Matthew Wyatt. The life-size marble statue of the 5th Duchess was sculpted by Wyatt and the furniture and carpet were imported from France.

The round-arched Dining Room has immense mahogany sideboards and a marble side table by Matthew Wyatt. The walls are hung with portraits by Reynolds of the 4th Duke, who collected the finest paintings at Belvoir.

The top-lit Picture Gallery, created by Benjamin Wyatt, houses the most important works of art. The paintings here include work by Poussin, Jan Steen, Teniers and Gainsborough. There is also a portrait of Henry VIII attributed to Holbein and a superb collection of portrait miniatures by such notable artists as Nicholas Hilliard, Isaac Oliver and Samuel Cooper.

The King's Rooms, named after George IV, face out over the entrance front. These rooms, decorated with Chinese wallpapers and furniture from the 1820s, lead via the main staircase to the Regent's Gallery.

This long bow-windowed room was the main reception room in James Wyatt's south-west range and overlooks the beautiful wooded vistas. The walls are hung with faded pink 18th century Gobelin tapestries and there is some good French furniture including pieces from the Boulle workshop.

The libraries, to the north facing the courtyard, were added by Thoroton. The small library was designed for study but the adjacent Library, with large Gothic windows and a gilded neo-Tudor ceiling, was furnished as a comfortable reception room.

From the Regent's Gallery a staircase leads to the Wyatt's Gothic Chapel which has recently been redecorated. Above the altar is a painting of the Holy Family by Murillo and on the walls are three Mortlake tapestries based on the Raphael Cartoons.

On the way back to the main staircase and entrance it is possible to visit the enormous, empty kitchen which has been left as it was in the early 20th century.

Belvoir Castle also houses The Queen's Royal Lancers' Museum. This contains an exhibition showing the history of the Regiment together with a splendid collection of uniforms, medals and weapons.

The gardens were designed to show off the crenellated castle at its best.

There are acres of grass, fine trees, walkways and many rose beds. The garden is planted so that there is nearly always something in flower and the curved stone seats are a perfect place for a picnic.

The Statue Gardens, which are built into the hillside below the castle, are named after the carefully sited collection of 17th century sculptures by Caius Cibber, royal sculptor to Charles II.