what to see and do

A majestic 800 year old castle ruin, home to one of the most powerful medieval families in England. The De Grey's of Codnor. There are remains of an Eighteen foot high former rectangular three storey tower to the north with a connecting wall to a later outer court to the south. The tower has remains of a large external stack to the north wall and small square openings to the west wall. The outer court has walls on three sides with a central masonry made of large square-cut stone polygonal tower with cross slit windows on two sides and small scalloped decorative line window to the left side. The West wall has a four-centred arched fireplace to centre with a solid exterior angle doorcase to the left side. There is also another wall without openings. Built by the Grey family of Codnor and taken over by the Zouch family in 1496 The castle sits in the midst of a beautiful rural landscape overlooking the Erewash Valley, which is rich in wildlife and birds of prey. Close to the Midland Railway and other industrial heritage sites and a nature reserve rich in rare butterflies. Codnor Castle is one of only two surviving castles in Derbyshire, which retains its original medieval architecture. The other being Peverall Castle, making Codnor Castle a rare asset in south east Derbyshire.

Explore the inside of an early Tudor stone work turret, with a carnarvon arch