Vale of Belvoir facts for kids
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The Vale of Belvoir (say it: BEE-vuh) is a beautiful area in England. It spreads across parts of Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, and Lincolnshire. The name "Belvoir" comes from old French words meaning "beautiful view." This name was given a long, long time ago by the Normans. It's famous for its stunning scenery and tasty local foods.
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Exploring the Vale of Belvoir
The Vale of Belvoir is a wide, low area of land. It gently rises towards the east and north-east. You can see its valley shape clearly from the south-east. This is where Belvoir Castle sits high up.
The land here was shaped by nature over millions of years. It is mostly made of soft rocks like mudstone and thin limestones. The south-eastern edge is easy to spot. It has a steep slope where Belvoir Castle stands about 330 feet (100 meters) above the valley floor. This slope is strong because it has a layer of tough ironstone rock.
Millions of years ago, a very old river flowed through this valley. It was called the "Proto-Trent" River. About 130,000 years ago, a huge block of ice got stuck in the Vale of Belvoir. This ice made the river change its path. It started flowing north through the Lincoln gap instead.
Towns and Villages in the Vale
Many towns and villages are found within or near the Vale of Belvoir. These communities are spread across three different counties. Here are some of the places you can find in each area.
Nottinghamshire Villages
- Alverton
- Aslockton
- Barnstone
- Bingham
- Car Colston
- Colston Bassett
- Cropwell Bishop
- Cropwell Butler
- Elton on the Hill
- Flawborough
- Flintham
- Granby
- Hawksworth
- Hickling
- Kilvington
- Kinoulton
- Langar
- Orston
- Owthorpe
- Scarrington
- Screveton
- Shelton, Nottinghamshire
- Sibthorpe
- Staunton in the Vale
- Sutton
- Syerston
- Thoroton
- Tithby
- Upper Broughton
- Whatton-in-the-Vale
Leicestershire Villages
- Barkestone-le-Vale
- Belvoir, Leicestershire
- Bottesford
- Chadwell
- Croxton Kerrial
- Eaton
- Harby
- Harston
- Hose
- Knipton
- Long Clawson
- Muston
- Nether Broughton
- Normanton
- Old Dalby
- Plungar
- Redmile
- Scalford
- Stathern
- Wycomb
Lincolnshire Villages
- Allington
- Branston
- Denton
- Foston
- Harlaxton
- Sedgebrook
- Woolsthorpe by Belvoir
Some of the larger places in or near the Vale of Belvoir include Bingham, Cotgrave, Keyworth, and Bottesford.
Fun Things to See and Do
The Vale of Belvoir has many interesting places to visit and unique things to discover. From an old castle to famous foods, there's a lot to explore!
Belvoir Castle: A Royal View
Belvoir Castle sits high up, looking over the entire vale. It is the historic home of the Duke of Rutland's family. The castle has been damaged and rebuilt many times throughout history. This happened during big conflicts like the Wars of the Roses and the English Civil War.
Today, you can visit the castle, and it is still a family home. In recent years, the Belvoir name has become known for tasty drinks called "cordials." These are sold all over the world. The Duke's father started this idea to help pay for the castle's upkeep. It also created jobs for people in the area.
Famous Local Foods
The Vale of Belvoir is famous for two special foods: Stilton cheese and pork pies. These foods are known around the world!
Stilton cheese is a "king" among English cheeses. Only a few places are allowed to make real Stilton cheese. Almost all of them are located in the Vale of Belvoir. For a long time, all Stilton cheese was made within 20 miles of Melton Mowbray. The cheese got its name from the village of Stilton. This is where it was served to travelers at inns along a major road.
Melton Mowbray pork pies are also very special. They are made in a traditional way. This means using uncured pork and hand-forming the pastry. These pies are always served cold. Both Stilton cheese and Melton Mowbray pies have special protection. This means only certain places can make them using traditional methods.
Other Interesting Facts
"Belvoir Angels" are old 18th-century tombstones found in this area. They are made from a type of stone called Swithland slate. A poet named George Crabbe wrote a detailed book about the nature of the vale in 1790. He even listed over 70 types of beetles!
The Vale of Belvoir also has an award-winning radio station called 103 The Eye. It was the first community radio station in the UK. It has been broadcasting since 2005. You can listen to it on 103 FM or on its website. It is based in Melton Mowbray.
Images for kids
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Langar churchyard, Nottinghamshire
