Kimbolton Castle, Castle and house museum in Kimbolton, England.
Kimbolton Castle is a castle and house museum in Kimbolton, England, with classical facades and medieval walls within the courtyard. Tall windows and columned porticos define the exterior, while inside curved staircases and painted ceilings appear in several rooms.
A medieval fortress stood here from the 13th century and later passed into the ownership of the Montagu family. The classical redesign began in the early 18th century, while Catherine of Aragon spent her final years here until her death in 1536.
The name comes from Anglo-Saxon words meaning royal hill, recalling the site's importance since medieval times. Visitors today see a private school occupying the rooms, while the chapel and some halls remain accessible during tours and show how aristocratic families once lived.
The castle opens for guided tours on select days throughout the year, while the surrounding parkland remains freely accessible most of the time. The main rooms lie on the ground floor and first floor, with some areas closed due to the school's use.
Giant sequoia trees line the long entrance avenue and date from 19th-century plantings, when such exotic species became popular on English estates. The trees frame the view of the building today and give the property an unusual feel.
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