Ashby de la Zouch Castle
Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire
A medieval status symbol split in half by Civil War cannon, with a compact walled site and lawns that suit an older dog or a short visit.
The tunnel is the reason to come. Ashby was built as the purpose made status symbol of William, Lord Hastings, who added the great Hastings Tower, effectively a luxurious castle within a castle. It held out as a Royalist stronghold and fell to Parliament after a long siege in 1646, which is when the tower was blown in half.
As you walk the underground passage running from the kitchen to the tower, most likely dug during that siege, and climb what is left of the tower itself, your dog has a compact, level, walled site with lawns between the ruins, right on the edge of the town. That makes it a good option for an older dog or a shorter visit rather than a long walk. Regency tourists came here in numbers after the castle appeared in Walter Scott's Ivanhoe.
Dogs on leads are welcome across the site. Parking is the awkward part: only disabled parking at the castle, with everyone else using the charged town centre car parks on South Street or at the Royal Hotel, both a short walk away. There is a café, shop, toilets and picnic seating.
At a Glance
- Dog Access
- On-lead in the grounds
- Dogs on leads are welcome across the site.
- Site Type
- Castle & Fort
- Entry
- £9.35 adult
- £4.67 child · £23.37 family
- Members
- Free for English Heritage members
- Facilities
- Café / restaurant, Gardens, Parking, Picnic seating, Shop, Toilets
- Telephone
- 01530 413343
- Parking
- Disabled parking only at site. Other (charged) parking at town centre car parks. South Street car park LE65 1BH; Royal Hotel car park LE65 2GP; North Street car park LE65 1HU; Money Hill car park LE65 1LS.
English Heritage Membership
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Entry here is £9.35 for an adult. English Heritage Membership covers it, along with free entry to 170+ dog friendly attractions across England.
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Planning Your Visit
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Wednesday
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Thursday
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Friday
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Saturday
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Sunday
- 10:00 - 17:00
Opening times and prices were checked on 26 August 2026 and are subject to change, and some sites close for events or over winter. Confirm on the English Heritage site page before you travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ashby de la Zouch Castle dog friendly?
Yes, dogs are welcome across the site at Ashby de la Zouch Castle, provided they're kept on leads throughout. The site is compact and walled with lawns between the ruins, which makes it a gentle, manageable visit — particularly well suited to older dogs or those who aren't up for a long walk.
Are dogs allowed at Ashby de la Zouch Castle year round?
The listing confirms dogs on leads are welcome across the site, though no seasonal restrictions are specified in the information available to us. It's always worth checking directly with English Heritage before your visit in case opening times or access policies vary by season.
What should I know before visiting Ashby de la Zouch Castle with my dog?
The most important thing to plan ahead for is parking — there's only disabled parking at the castle itself, so everyone else needs to use the charged town centre car parks nearby, including South Street (LE65 1BH), the Royal Hotel (LE65 2GP), North Street (LE65 1HU), or Money Hill (LE65 1LS), all a short walk away. Once you're there, the site is level and enclosed with lawns, and there's a café, shop, toilets, and picnic seating to make the visit comfortable. Keep your dog on the lead throughout, and take time to explore the underground passage running from the kitchen to the tower — it's the highlight of the site.
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