Ashby de la Zouch Castle, South Street, Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire
An aerial view of the castle, looking North East. The manor of Ashby was granted by William I to Hugh de Grantmesnil. It then passed by marriage to the Zouch family towards the end of the 12th century. The site is primarily a 12th century house which was redesigned and rebuilt over a period of several centuries. Between 1464 and 1483 Lord Hastings undertook an extensive building programme at Ashby, whilst retaining many of the site's existing structures. During the Civil War it was besieged and surrendered to the Parliamentarians in 1646. Several principal buildings were slighted, rendering them untenable, and Ashby was abandoned as a dwelling. This property is now in the care of English Heritage (2010).
