Ashby de la Zouch Castle
Ashby de la Zouch Castle is one of Leicestershire’s most atmospheric ruins, famous for its dramatic Civil War history and its unexpected literary cameo in Sir Walter Scott’s Ivanhoe. Once a grand fortified manor, it was heavily damaged after being used as a Royalist stronghold, leaving behind towering walls and evocative fragments that invite exploration. The most striking feature is the Hastings Tower, a soaring shell you can still climb. Its narrow spiral staircase leads to panoramic views over the town and surrounding countryside. The Great Hall hints at the castle’s former splendour, with tall windows and surviving stonework that outline where banquets and gatherings once took place. Nearby, the Kitchen Block reveals the scale of medieval hospitality, including vast fireplaces used for roasting whole animals. One of the most intriguing elements is the underground passage, a long, dimly lit tunnel running beneath the site. Believed to have been used for defence and secret movement during the Civil War, it remains one of the castle’s most memorable experiences.
Ashby-de-la-Zouch United Kingdom
Ashby de la Zouch Castle sits right in the heart of the market town of Ashby-de-la-Zouch in northwest Leicestershire. You’ll find it on South Street, Ashby de la Zouch, LE65 1BR, just a short stroll from the main shops and cafés. The ruins themselves are the main reason to come, with their tall tower and underground passages, but the town and surrounding area offer plenty more. Right nearby is the small Ashby de la Zouch Museum, which tells the local story and even has a model of the castle under siege. A few miles out you’ll reach Calke Abbey, a fascinating National Trust house left in a state of elegant decline, complete with its own parkland and deer. Donington le Heath Manor House is another nearby historic house worth a look, while Melbourne Hall offers more elegant rooms and gardens. Staunton Harold Church stands out as a striking 17th-century place of worship, and Moira Furnace gives a glimpse into the area’s industrial past. If you fancy something different, Twycross Zoo is within easy reach for a family day out.
Museum