Originally a medieval castle but converted into a stately palace, it was the family seat of the Earls and Dukes of Manchester from 1615 until 1950.

[1] The Wingfield family reconstructed the medieval castle as a Tudor Manor house, parts of which survive to this present day.

[1] In July 1534, a fool in the retinue of the diplomat Eustache Chapuys tried to swim the moat, drawing attention to her imprisonment.

[1] These works included the rebuilding of the south wing, which had fallen down, to a design by Sir John Vanbrugh[1] who was assisted by another great architect of the time, Nicholas Hawksmoor.

[1] Many members of the Montagu family (Earls and Dukes of Manchester) are buried at St Andrew's Church in Kimbolton.