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in the county of Leicestershire

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About Ashby de la Zouch

This town takes its name from the La Souche family, lords of the manor from about 1160. The Norman prefix distinguishes Ashby from other towns of similar name. It is best known for its ruinous castle which featured in Sir Walter Scott's novel Ivanhoe - it was the setting of a tournament between Ivanhoe and the Black Prince.

The ancient, crumbling walls of Ashby-de-la-Zouche castle keep once rose to a towering 95ft and had four floors. It belonged to William, Lord Hastings who was granted a license to crenellate in 1474. He added a seven floor tower extension to the castle's northern side, this formed the residential living quarters which had its own well.

Lord Hastings was rich and powerful, he had a fortified home at Kirby Muxloe, and was one of the celebrated characters of his day. He rose to become Lord Chamberlain at the court of Edward IV, this was a reward for his unstinting loyalty to the King during the turbulent Wars of the Roses. When Edward died, Hastings felt unable to give the same level of support to King Richard III. For this he was beheaded.

The lands and castle did not, as was usual in such cases, revert back to the Crown but remained with the family passing to William's son. For a long period the family enjoyed prosperity, laid on great entertainments for Kings, Queens, and the great and the good of decades. Eventually, the Hasting family where created Earls of Huntingdon, and for many years during the 18th-century the castle was the home of Selina, Countess of Huntingdon.

After many turbulent and historic years the castle fell slowly into disrepair. These days the wilderness ruins of Ashby-de-la-Zouche castle are used for many events including medieval battles organised by English Heritage. A visit here is highly rewarding, not only are the dramatic ruins hauntingly atmospheric of dark and mysterious deeds, but its lofty site offers stunning views of the beautiful surrounding Leicestershire countryside.

Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Ashby de la Zouch

Ashby de la Zouch Castle	(0.4 miles, 0.6 km)	Pictures
New Lount Nature Reserve	(2.5 miles, 4.0 km, direction E)	Pictures
Staunton Harold Church	(2.7 miles, 4.3 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Staunton Harold Hall	(2.7 miles, 4.4 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Moira Furnace Museum	(3.0 miles, 4.9 km, direction W)	Pictures
Hough Mill	(3.0 miles, 4.9 km, direction E)	Pictures
Conkers	(3.2 miles, 5.1 km, direction W)	Pictures
Calke Abbey	(3.9 miles, 6.2 km, direction N)	Pictures
Snibston Discovery Park & Nature Reserve	(3.9 miles, 6.3 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Sence Valley Forest Park	(4.3 miles, 6.8 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Staunton Harold Reservoir	(4.4 miles, 7.1 km, direction N)	Pictures
Grace Dieu Priory	(4.7 miles, 7.5 km, direction E)	Pictures
Melbourne Hall	(5.1 miles, 8.3 km, direction N)	Pictures
Donington Park	(6.8 miles, 10.9 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Twycross Zoo	(7.2 miles, 11.5 km, direction S)	Pictures

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Recommended towns near Ashby de la Zouch

Staunton Harold, in the county of Leicestershire (2.5 miles, 4.0 km, direction NE)
Staunton was mentioned in the Doomsday Book when it was held by Henry de Ferrers.
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Repton, in the county of Derbyshire (7.1 miles, 11.4 km, direction NW)
Repton is one of England's most ancient towns, it was once the capital of the Saxon Kingdom of Mercia and the church there is the burial ground of Saxon Kings.
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Swarkestone, in the county of Derbyshire (7.2 miles, 11.7 km, direction N)
Swarkestone is a small enchanting village which grew up on the reeeded banks of the River Trent.
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Burton upon Trent, in the county of Staffordshire (8.5 miles, 13.7 km, direction NW)
Burton-on-Trent is an attractive town, it has a pleasing market place surrounded by pleasant properties, some being timber-frame black and white.
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Loughborough, in the county of Leicestershire (11.1 miles, 17.8 km, direction E)
The joyous sound of bells made in Loughborough have been rung all over the world since 1858, the date that John Taylor of Oxford...
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Tutbury, in the county of Staffordshire (11.7 miles, 18.8 km, direction NW)
This picturesque little town in the Dove Valley is dominated by the ruins of the medieval castle.
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Derby, in the county of Derbyshire (11.9 miles, 19.1 km, direction N)
This is the premier town of the Shire, it is steeped in history with roots stretching to Roman times - the legions had a camp...
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Tamworth, in the county of Staffordshire (12.3 miles, 19.8 km, direction SW)
In the 8th century the Saxon Kingdom of Mercia was ruled from Tamworth. Later in AD 913, a fortress was built here by the daughter of King Alfred.
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Quorn, in the county of Leicestershire (12.7 miles, 20.4 km, direction E)
Quorn can be found between Leicester and Loughborough, it is surrounded by magnificent countryside and a wealth of visitor attractions.
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Anstey, in the county of Leicestershire (12.8 miles, 20.6 km, direction SE)
One of the most attractive features of Anstey is the famous 14th century five arched pack-horse bridge crossing the River Wreake.
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Long Eaton, in the county of Derbyshire (13.3 miles, 21.3 km, direction NE)
Long Eaton is a small town lying on the River Trent around 8 miles east of Derby. The town has a history stretching back to the 7th century, but was for many centuries naught but a sleepy agricultural village.
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Earl Shilton, in the county of Leicestershire (13.7 miles, 22.0 km, direction SE)
Earl Shilton is one of the largest villages in the County of Leicestershire. It occupies a rich rural landscape between the town of Hinckley and the City of Leicester.
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Church Broughton, in the county of Derbyshire (14.1 miles, 22.7 km, direction NW)
Church Broughton is an attractive Derbyshire village lying in open countryside that is perhaps best noted for its ancient church dedicated to Saint Michael.
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Rothley, in the county of Leicestershire (14.1 miles, 22.8 km, direction E)
Rothley is a delightful village with two village greens, one is flanked by some of the country's finest timber framed houses. The village shows a graceful selection of architecture including pretty Cruck Cottages.
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Kingsbury, in the county of Warwickshire (15.6 miles, 25.0 km, direction SW)
Kingsbury lies in a quiet corner of Warwickshire, it is most notable for its water-park which offers an oasis of calm for visitors escaping the hurried life of Birmingham and other nearby cities and large towns.
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Nearby travel help

M42 Junction 11	(5.2 miles, 8.4 km, direction SW)
M1 Junction 22	(8.0 miles, 12.8 km, direction SE)
East Midlands Airport	(8.1 miles, 13.0 km, direction NE)
Willington Station	(8.2 miles, 13.1 km, direction NW)
Burton-on-Trent Station	(8.2 miles, 13.2 km, direction NW)
Birmingham International Airport	(23.4 miles, 37.6 km, direction SW)
Ashby de la Zouch to London	(103.0 miles, 165.8 km, direction SE)

Hotels & Accommodation in Ashby de la Zouch

Hotel Name	Approximate distance from Ashby de la Zouch center
The Queens Head Hotel	(0.2 miles, 0.3 km)
Hermitage Park Hotel	(4.6 miles, 7.4 km, direction E)
Ramada Birmingham East -A42	(5.1 miles, 8.3 km, direction SW)
The Hardinge Arms	(6.0 miles, 9.6 km, direction N)
Ramada Newton Park Burton	(7.2 miles, 11.5 km, direction NW)
Unicorn Inn	(7.2 miles, 11.6 km, direction NW)
The Priest House On The River	(7.5 miles, 12.0 km, direction NE)
The Grange Courtyard	(7.8 miles, 12.5 km, direction E)
Thistle Hotel and Conference Centre East Midlands Airport	(8.0 miles, 12.9 km, direction NE)
Donington Manor Hotel	(8.2 miles, 13.1 km, direction NE)
All hotels in Ashby de la Zouch