Kirby Muxloe Castle

About

Kirby Muxloe Castle is less a castle than a showpiece fortified manor house, begun in brick in 1480 by William, Lord Hastings, a leading supporter of the Yorkist king Edward IV. When Edward died, the future Richard III denounced Hastings as a traitor and had him beheaded without trial; work stopped and the house was never finished. What stands is a fine gatehouse and a complete corner tower reflected in a broad moat, and on the gatehouse you can hunt for the 'pictures in the walls' laid in darker brick, including a boat, a jug and Hastings' initials. English Heritage now opens the castle only for guided tours on selected dates, booked through its website, so check the calendar before setting out. Inside there are narrow spiral stairs and there is no wheelchair access. Reviewers describe a peaceful spot for a picnic, and benches are dotted around the grassed grounds. Dogs on leads are welcome.

CastleDog friendlyParkingPicnic areaGuided toursDogs on leads

ClosedPick a day for times and prices

Closed

Today, Friday 2 October

Kirby Muxloe CastleClosed

From English Heritage's published calendar, updated 1 October 2026, with dates up to 16 March 2027. Prices are without the optional donation.

PricingFree with English Heritage membershipEH memberFree entryNon-member£9

Free entry with English Heritage membership

Entry

Non-member prices

Adult£9.00

Child (5-17)£4.50

Concession£8.10

Family (2 adults and up to 3 children)£22.70

Family (1 adult and up to 3 children)£13.60

Pricing details

Guided tour on selected dates only. Walk-up price without voluntary donation; the catalogue lists peak-band prices only. Online advance tickets are 15% less and are sold up to 8.45am on the day. Check the booking calendar for tour dates.

ParkingFree parkingFree for all visitors

No charge for anyone.

Parking details

Free parking at the castle, with some extra on-street parking in Oakcroft Avenue. No coach or minibus parking.

Driving arrival: the Google-listed Kirby Muxloe Castle car park (reviewers confirm it is the castle car park). Reviewers report the car park gate may be locked outside tour times.

Reviews & Tips

No reviews yet

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience!

Nearby

Jewry Wall

3.7 mi

Stoneywell

4.7 mi

Ashby de la Zouch Castle

12.6 mi

Staunton Harold Church

13.4 mi

Calke Abbey

14.7 mi

Opening times may change at short notice.

Open on selected dates for guided tours only. The English Heritage calendar lists no tour dates between 24 September 2026 and 14 March 2027; check the booking calendar for new dates.

Tour tickets can be booked online up to 8.45am on the day or bought on arrival, subject to availability; online prices include a 15% discount. English Heritage members go free.

Run directly by English Heritage. No toilets and no food or drink on site; the nearest is the Castle Hotel.

Accessibility: No wheelchair access; visitors cannot be set down at the entrance because of the drawbridge. Gravel paths, a wooden bridge, stairs in the gatehouse and west tower including narrow spiral stairs, and a deep moat.

Parking: Free parking at the castle, with some extra on-street parking in Oakcroft Avenue. No coach or minibus parking.

Photo: Mik Peach. CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Leicestershire-KirbyMuxloeCastle.jpg. Resized for display.

Dogs at the location: Allowed with restrictions. Dogs: Dogs on leads are welcome at the site.

Dog walks in the grounds: Allowed with restrictions. Dogs on leads are welcome at the site; access to the site is by guided tour on selected dates.

Leads: On leads. A dog bowl is outside the admissions area.