Shortfinals’s Blog

Castles – the very word has gravitas, it feels bulky on the tongue. I was brought up within a mile of a ruined Norman castle in Derbyshire, and played beneath its time-ravaged walls. Codnor Castle is now in such a precarious state that the surviving remains are mostly held up with scaffolding. For those of you who saw the ‘Time Team’ episode which was devoted to the site, it is obvious just how important the castle USED to be.

There are two other castles in the county, the famous ’sister castle’ to Codnor, Peveril Castle, and the later Bolsover Castle, with its extremely rare Riding House (for the indoor demonstration of equestrian skills), and dominating position on an escarpment, which now overlooks the M1 motorway. It is only partially restored – although English Heritage do a good job with what they have; I would urge you all to visit, if you can. Here is a photograph of the ‘Star Chamber’ at Bolsover, taken during a recent trip

The Star Chamber at Bolsover Castle, Derbyshire

 - enjoy!