Pictures of England

Search:

Historic Towns & Picturesque Villages

Mow Cop Castle, Staffordshire

Mow Cop

in the county of Staffordshire

New Forest ponies

Lyndhurst

in the county of Hampshire

A picture of Doncaster Minster

Doncaster

in the county of South Yorkshire

Pictures of Ashby de la Zouch

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.

Recommended towns & villages near Ashby de la Zouch

Staunton harold hall & Church, Leicestershire

Staunton Harold (22 Pictures) in the county of Leicestershire

(2.5 miles, 4.0 km, direction NE of Ashby de la Zouch)

Staunton was mentioned in the Doomsday Book when it was held by Henry de Ferrers...

The Church of St James in the village of Swarkestone, Derbyshire.

Swarkestone (9 Pictures) in the county of Derbyshire

(7.2 miles, 11.7 km, direction N of Ashby de la Zouch)

Swarkestone is a small enchanting village which grew up on the reeeded banks of the River Trent...

Market place, Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire

Burton upon Trent (54 Pictures) in the county of Staffordshire

(8.5 miles, 13.7 km, direction NW of Ashby de la Zouch)

Burton-on-Trent is an attractive town, it has a pleasing market place surrounded by pleasant properties, some being timber-frame black and white...

Pestilence Cottage, Woodhouse Village, Leicestersire

Loughborough (74 Pictures) in the county of Leicestershire

(11.1 miles, 17.8 km, direction E of Ashby de la Zouch)

The joyous sound of bells made in Loughborough have been rung all over the world since 1858, the date that John Taylor of Oxford moved his foundry to Loughborough. Many famous.....

Tutbury, Staffordshire

Tutbury (50 Pictures) in the county of Staffordshire

(11.7 miles, 18.8 km, direction NW of Ashby de la Zouch)

This picturesque little town in the Dove Valley is dominated by the ruins of the medieval castle...

All towns & villages in Leicestershire
Complete A to Z of towns & villages in England

Nearby attractions..

View from the tower Ashby de la Zouch Castle, Leicestershire

Ashby de la Zouch Castle (28 Pictures)

(0.4 miles, 0.6 km)

The ancient, crumbling walls of Ashby de la Zouch castle keep once rose to a towering 95ft and had four floors. It belonged to.....

Staunton harold hall & Church, Leicestershire

Staunton Harold Church (6 Pictures)

(2.7 miles, 4.3 km, direction NE)

Imposing church built in 1653, with fine panelled interior, set in attractive parkland...

Staunton Harold Church

Staunton Harold Hall (14 Pictures)

(2.7 miles, 4.4 km, direction NE)

This is said to be one of the most delightful country houses in Leicestershire, it was the former home of the Ferrers family who.....

Calke Abbey, Derbyshire

Calke Abbey (57 Pictures)

(3.9 miles, 6.2 km, direction N)

Calke Abbey was built between 1701-1703. The building, in the Baroque style, was built for Sir John Harpur. It is an.....

image of staunton harold reservoir taken from hall roof, 2003

Staunton Harold Reservoir (5 Pictures)

(4.4 miles, 7.1 km, direction N)

..

Twycross Zoo, Leicestershire. Prairie Dog

Twycross Zoo (58 Pictures)

(7.2 miles, 11.5 km, direction S)

Come face-to-face with over 900 animals of more than 150 species, including some of the most endangered on our planet, at.....

Thornton Reservoir, Leicestershire.

Thornton Reservoir (13 Pictures)

(9.1 miles, 14.6 km, direction SE)

..


All attractions in Ashby de la Zouch
All attractions in Leicestershire
Complete A to Z of attractions in England