South Street, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire LE65 1BR
Ashby de la Zouch Castle
Castle
Place photograph
6.8
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Paid
Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
6.8Built as a display of power by William, Lord Hastings, the castle’s keep-like Hastings Tower was designed as a luxurious residence within the wider fortress. The ruins later drew Regency visitors after appearing in Walter Scott’s Ivanhoe.
This is more than a broken wall in a market town: the climbable Hastings Tower and a passage linking the kitchen to the tower give the Civil War story a tangible, atmospheric setting. It earns a visit for those distinctive features, rather than for a long day out on its own.
Atmospheric · Grand
Find your way
Open mapSouth Street, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire LE65 1BR
Opening map…
Know this place a little better?
The experience
Allow around 1–2 hours to explore the ruins, climb Hastings Tower if open, and find the passage between the kitchen and tower. The site is ticketed and opening is seasonal or subject to change; verify details before setting out.
Things to do
Climb Hastings Tower
The keep-like tower was built for Lord Hastings as a luxurious residence within the castle. Visitors can climb it when access is available; check current conditions before visiting.
Allow time for the climb and views; exact duration not established.
Explore the underground passage
Look for the passage running between the kitchen and tower. English Heritage says it was probably created during the Civil War siege; confirm that it is open on the day.
Check on site.
Look for the castle within the castle
Notice how the imposing Hastings Tower sits within the wider fortified complex: its scale and form reflect Lord Hastings’s ambition to impress.
Follow the castle’s Civil War story
English Heritage records Ashby as a Royalist stronghold that fell to Parliament after a long siege in 1646. Connect that history to the surviving passage and tower as you explore.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Around 1 hour; allow longer if you want to explore at an unhurried pace.
Quick escape: tower and passage
- 01
Check English Heritage’s current opening and ticket details before setting out.
- 02
Explore the castle remains and look for the keep-like Hastings Tower.
- 03
If open and suitable for you, climb the tower for views across the castle.
- 04
Find the underground passage linking the kitchen and tower.
Half day · A few hours, depending on time spent exploring Ashby-de-la-Zouch.
Make a half day of the castle
- 01
Visit the castle during its current published opening hours.
- 02
Explore the ruins, tower and underground passage, using the on-site interpretation or audio tour if available.
- 03
Continue into Ashby-de-la-Zouch for an unplanned town wander; verify any additional stops and facilities independently before relying on them.
Verified history
Ashby de la Zouch Castle reached its greatest prominence as a status project of William, Lord Hastings, who added the keep-like Hastings Tower as a self-contained residence. During the English Civil War it remained a Royalist stronghold until it fell to Parliament after a long siege in 1646. The underground passage between kitchen and tower may date from the siege. The ruins later became a destination for Regency visitors after the castle featured in Walter Scott’s historical novel Ivanhoe.
Hidden details
A residence inside the fortress — Hastings Tower was not simply a defensive keep: English Heritage describes it as a luxurious, self-contained residence—a castle within a castle.
A passage with a qualified Civil War connection — The underground route from kitchen to tower survives, but its origin is not certain: English Heritage says it was probably created during the siege.
A literary afterlife — The ruined castle attracted Regency visitors after its appearance in Walter Scott’s popular historical novel Ivanhoe.
When to go
· Visit during the currently published opening hours; check the official page before travelling.
The supplied evidence gives opening days and hours but does not establish a seasonal advantage. Check current opening arrangements.
Check the forecast and current visitor information before travelling; no site-specific weather guidance was supplied.
What to look for
- 01
The keep-like Hastings Tower
- 02
the underground passage connecting the kitchen and tower
- 03
surviving castle fabric that shows how the tower formed a residence within the larger complex. The source describes the passage as probably created during the Civil War siege.
The story
Lord Hastings; English Civil War; Regency visitors and Walter Scott’s Ivanhoe
Best time to go
Any season when open; check current opening days before visiting.
Plan around the published opening days and allow enough time to enter before last admission, listed as 4.30pm. Check the official page before travelling.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
History lovers · Photographers · Families
Before you go
Address
Phone
Website
Listed hours
- Friday: 10am-5pm
- Monday: Closed
- Sunday: 10am-5pm
- Tuesday: Closed
- Saturday: 10am-5pm
- Thursday: 10am-5pm
- Wednesday: 10am-5pm
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
English Heritage lists the castle as open Wednesday–Sunday, 10am–5pm, with last entry at 4.30pm. Admission is ticketed; check current prices and opening arrangements before travelling.
Check before visiting
Parking
Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Food & drink
Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
The supplied Google business profile reports a wheelchair-accessible car park and entrance; confirm access to individual areas and current arrangements with English Heritage.
Cost
Paid
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Ashby de la Zouch Castle
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
