BELVOIR IN BRIEF
FOUNDATIONS
A castle has stood on the site at Belvoir since the 11th century. In 1508, Belvoir passed to George Manners, 11th Baron de Ros, whose son was created Earl of Rutland in 1525. It has been in the Manners family ever since; the 9th earl was promoted to duke in 1703, and today it is owned by the 11th duke, and lived in by his family. The duchess is its chief executive. She has five children with the duke – and between all seven of them, 10 dogs
INDOORS
There are 356 rooms, apparently, but – as many a chatelaine has wondered – what counts as a room?
OUTDOORS
The fashionable 18thcentury landscape architect Lancelot “Capability” Brown drew up plans for Belvoir’s gardens for the 4th duke in 1780, but not all of his plans were carried out. In 2003 these were found, and since then more of Brown’s landscaping works have been completed. The wider estate is 16,000 acres, and the castle has two acres of roof
BEST IN SHOW
The entrance hall – or guardroom, right – is hung with weapons collected by the 5th duke, among these muskets, swords, and suits of armour. As the duke put it: “Where is the harm of old armour in a hall intended to look as if it belonged to days of yore?” The Elizabeth Saloon is quite literally the most dazzling, containing an awful lot of gilt. Named for the 5th duke’s wife and inspired by the Louis XIV designs she saw in Paris, its painted ceiling depicts the
WHAT’S ON?
The estate hosts events year round, from September’s Festival of the Horse, which last year featured the Household Cavalry, to outdoor theatre, and historical re-enactments. The estate produces its own gin, offers clay shooting and fishing, and the castle can be booked for weddings. Driven-grouse shooting is available on the Rutlands’ Peak District moor, Moscar, with its own accommodation at Moscar Lodge (moscarlodge.com)
TOP TIP
Belvoir is pronounced “beaver”, like the animal. Its name comes from the French meaning “beautiful view”