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landmark · Ashby de la Zouch
Base in Ashby for Hastings Tower and its passage, or Melbourne for a garden-led second day.
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Find stays near Ashby de la Zouch Castle on the map ↓Ashby de la Zouch Castle tells two different stories in one ruin: William Lord Hastings built its tower as a luxurious residence, while a later underground passage from kitchen to tower may belong to the Civil War siege. Stay in Ashby to keep South Street and the town evening together. Melbourne is a contrasting Derbyshire base if a visit to Melbourne Hall gardens will make the second day worthwhile.
FIND YOUR BASE
Ashby de la Zouch gives the castle a town-centre context: explore Hastings Tower and the underground passage, then return to the High Street for the evening.
Good for: Castle and town on one day.
Before you choose: The recommended pub rooms are on Burton Road, so check the walk to South Street and any stair needs.
Melbourne in Derbyshire offers a smaller historic town and Melbourne Hall gardens for a different second day. Ashby Castle becomes an excursion across the county border.
Good for: Castle plus historic garden.
Before you choose: Melbourne View Hotel is outside Melbourne centre and the castle is in Leicestershire; arrange travel to both.
EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS
Explore accommodation near Ashby de la Zouch Castle. Check the route to the visitor entrance before booking.
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ROOM FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP
The Beeches has five en-suite rooms above a pub in Ashby. Melbourne View Hotel is a rural Derbyshire stay outside Melbourne centre for a second-day hall and garden visit.
Burton Road pub rooms in Ashby for the castle and town evening.
Before you book: Ask about stairs and event noise for your chosen room; the castle is on South Street, not within the pub.
Visit official website114 Burton Road, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire LE65 2LP
Ashby pub and restaurant with rooms above, useful for a town stay around the castle.
Sources checked 2026-09-23
Rural Melbourne hotel for a garden-led second day and separate Ashby Castle journey.
Before you book: Confirm your room and dinner plan before booking; the hotel setting is not the same as staying on Melbourne High Street.
Visit official websiteRamsley Fields, Melbourne, Derby, DE73 8BR
A rural-edge Melbourne hotel to compare when the Calke visit is the main reason for staying in South Derbyshire.
Sources checked 2026-09-23
FAMILY BREAKS
Let the tower show high-status living, then use the underground passage for the siege story. The different spaces offer a clear narrative without inventing an activity trail.
ROMANTIC BREAKS
Ashby is the closer town-evening choice. Melbourne adds the formal gardens and historic small-town feel but requires a cross-county castle trip.
A LITTLE ROOM TO EXPLORE
Keep the castle's two periods distinct and give the second base a purpose.
Choose Ashby for the castle-town evening or Melbourne for a garden-focused second day.
Visit on an English Heritage open day; see Hastings Tower, the kitchen and the underground passage while following its probable Civil War story.
On a separately ticketed open day, make the historic gardens the second focus if based in Melbourne; otherwise enjoy Ashby's town streets.
Less time? With one night, stay in Ashby and give the tower and passage the castle day; defer the Melbourne garden trip.
BEFORE YOU CHOOSE
English Heritage currently lists Wednesday-Sunday opening, 10am-5pm. Check your exact date before making a Monday or Tuesday castle trip.
English Heritage says visitors can explore the atmospheric passage linking the kitchen and Hastings Tower. It may have been made during the Civil War siege; treat that dating as probable, not certain.
It was Lord Hastings' luxurious self-contained residence within the larger castle, rather than just a military lookout. Compare its height and rooms with the adjacent kitchen and hall remains.
No. Melbourne is in Derbyshire and Ashby Castle is in Leicestershire. Choose it for Melbourne Hall and gardens as a second purpose, then travel to the castle separately.
The hall and gardens have their own tickets and seasonal opening. Check the operator's current dates and whether your intended visit is gardens-only or a hall tour.
Independent, research-led stay and base comparison. No firsthand visit or operator endorsement is claimed. Accommodation picks link to their official operators.
Sources checked 2026-09-23. Check current arrangements before travelling.