The castle was built by Geoffrey Fitz Peter, 1st Earl of Essex in the late 12th century.
The inner court was rebuilt by Anne Neville, Duchess of Buckingham in the late 15th century.

The castle was acquired by Sir Richard Wingfield in 1522.
Catherine of Aragon was sent here in April 1534 for refusing to give up her status or deny the validity of her marriage.
The fenland climate damaged her health, and she died in the castle in January 1536.

The castle was bought by Sir Henry Montagu, later created 1st Earl of Manchester, in 1615.
The 4th Earl of Manchester, who was created 1st Duke of Manchester in 1719, had many works of reconstruction carried out between 1690 and 1720.
These works included the rebuilding of the south wing, which had fallen down, to a design by Sir John Vanbrugh.
The 4th Duke of Manchester commissioned Robert Adam to design the gatehouse which was constructed in 1766.

Many members of the Montagu family (Earls and Dukes of Manchester) are buried at St Andrew's Church in Kimbolton.
Several Montagu monuments still exist in the South Chapel, while the Montagu vault (extended in 1853) is located beneath the North Chapel.

The 10th Duke of Manchester sold the contents in 1949, and the castle and 50 acres were sold to Kimbolton School in 1951.
The castle was built by Geoffrey Fitz Peter, 1st Earl of Essex in the late 12th century. The inner court was rebuilt by Anne Neville, Duchess of Buckingham in the late 15th century.
The castle was acquired by Sir Richard Wingfield in 1522. Catherine of Aragon was sent here in April 1534 for refusing to give up her status or deny the validity of her marriage. The fenland climate damaged her health, and she died in the castle in January 1536.
The castle was bought by Sir Henry Montagu, later created 1st Earl of Manchester, in 1615. The 4th Earl of Manchester, who was created 1st Duke of Manchester in 1719, had many works of reconstruction carried out between 1690 and 1720. These works included the rebuilding of the south wing, which had fallen down, to a design by Sir John Vanbrugh. The 4th Duke of Manchester commissioned Robert Adam to design the gatehouse which was constructed in 1766.
Many members of the Montagu family (Earls and Dukes of Manchester) are buried at St Andrew's Church in Kimbolton. Several Montagu monuments still exist in the South Chapel, while the Montagu vault (extended in 1853) is located beneath the North Chapel.
The 10th Duke of Manchester sold the contents in 1949, and the castle and 50 acres were sold to Kimbolton School in 1951.
Kimbolton Castle