Key facts
- Operator
- English Heritage
- Condition
- Partial ruin
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
Pinpoint
South St, Ashby-de-la-Zouch LE65 1BR
Telephone 01530 413343
Possible Opening hours
Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
The remains of a fortified manor built up by William, Lord Hastings, in the 1470s - his grand new tower was left unfinished when he was executed by Richard III in 1483, and the ruins later gave their name to the tournament setting in Walter Scott's Ivanhoe. A stone tunnel connects the kitchen to the tower, and reviewers say it's worth timing a visit for when it's open to walk through.
Worth the trip
The underground tunnel linking kitchen to tower - a genuinely unusual feature reviewers single out over the ruins above ground.
Before you go
Bring your own food, as only basic snacks are sold on site; audio guides are free with entry, and English Heritage members get in free under the standard membership.
Visitors consistently rate Ashby de la Zouch as an enjoyable ruined castle, with several highlighting the underground tunnel and the free audio guide as particular highlights. Most describe it as good value and well presented, though more of a shorter visit (around an hour) than an all-day outing. A couple mention that food options on site are limited to basic snacks, so bringing a picnic is worth considering.
“Visited whilst on holiday, very nice castle, only took 1h so not an all-day kind of thing. Great if you’re in the town and looking for something historical and interesting!”— Sofia Alsamendi, visitor review
