Name: Kirby Muxloe Castle
Rating: 5.0

Kirby Muxloe Castle

Oakcroft Ave, Kirby Muxloe, Leicester, Leicestershire LE9 2DH, UK

1-99 Years

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Description

Kirby Muxloe Castle a showpiece fortified manor house rather than a castle, the brick-built Kirby Muxloe Castle was begun in 1480 by William, Lord Hastings. Today you can wander around Kirby Muxloe Castle’s picturesque moat and explore its fine gatehouse and complete corner tower. See if you can spot the ‘pictures in the walls’ created using darker bricks on the gatehouse, including a boat, a jug and even Lord Hastings’ initials.

Hastings was a leading supporter of the Yorkist King Edward IV. But when Edward died, the future king Richard III suddenly denounced Hastings as a traitor, and Hastings was beheaded without trial. Work on Kirby Muxloe Castle stopped, and the castle was never completed.

Price starts from £7.20 for Adults, £3.90 for Children(5-17 years) and £11.00 for Family(1 adult, up to 3 children). If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

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Host birthday parties: No

Features

Lord Hastings, Richard III and an Unfinished Castle: On Friday 13 June 1483 William, Lord Hastings, attended what he thought was a routine council meeting in the Tower of London called by Richard, Duke of Gloucester.
When he left a few hours later, it was to be dragged out onto Tower Green and hastily executed without trial. Few falls from grace in English history have been quite so sudden or so shocking – even by the standards of the Wars of the Roses. Kirby Muxloe Castle serves as a poignant memorial to his ambition and sudden death.
Meteoric rise: Born about 1430, William Hastings was the son of Sir Leonard of Kirby Muxloe, who became a retainer of Richard, Duke of York. By the time of Sir Leonard’s death in 1455 the rivalry between Yorkists and Lancastrians, the two branches of the royal house of Plantagenet, had escalated into war.
Fashion house: So when Hastings began to rebuild the family seat at Kirby Muxloe in sumptuous fashion in October 1480, he was at the height of his powers. His massive wealth is reflected in the amount of building work he undertook on at least four of his manors, including nearby Ashby de la Zouch Castle.
Royal Ambition: Edward IV’s death on 9 April 1483 did not at first appear to threaten Hastings. He favoured the appointment of Richard, Duke of Gloucester, Edward IV’s brother, as Protector, rather than the immediate coronation of the 12-year-old Edward V which was sought by the boy’s mother, Elizabeth Woodville.
Memorial in stone: Hastings’s family escaped further penalties and were allowed to inherit his lands. But when news of his death arrived at Kirby Muxloe, three days after the event, the bricklayers, masons and carpenters stopped work at once. Construction resumed in the autumn and winter of 1483, but on a vastly reduced scale. When it finally ceased altogether in September 1484, much of the castle remained unfinished.
Gardens: The picturesque moated remains of Kirby Muxloe Castle are surrounded by grassed areas and a moat, perfect for picnics or walks. There are also a number of benches situated throughout the grounds.

Facilities

Parking: There’s free parking at Kirby Muxloe Castle. Some additional on-street parking in Oakcroft Avenue. There’s no coach and minibus parking at the site.
Food And Drink: There are no food or drink facilities available at Kirby Muxloe Castle. The nearest off-site facilities can be found at the Castle Hotel.
Toilets: Visitors should note that there are no toilets available on site.
Dogs: Dogs on leads are welcome at the site.

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Advance online tickets:

Adult: £7.20 With donation & £6.50 Without donation.
Child (5–17 years): £3.90 With donation & £3.50 Without donation.
Family (2 adults, up to 3 children): £18.20 With donation & £16.50 Without donation.
Family (1 adult, up to 3 children): £11.00 With donation & £10.00 Without donation.
Concession: £6.10 With donation & £5.50 Without donation.
Member: Free.

On the day tickets:

Adult: £8.80 With donation & £8.00 Without donation.
Child (5–17 years): £5.00 With donation & £4.50 Without donation.
Family (2 adults, up to 3 children): £22.60 With donation & £20.50 Without donation.
Family (1 adult, up to 3 children): £13.80 With donation & £12.50 Without donation.
Concession: £7.20 With donation & £6.50 Without donation.
Member: Free.

Pricing URL: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/kirby-muxloe-castle/prices-and-opening-times/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Kirby Muxloe Castle is closed until April 2026.

Address: Oakcroft Ave, Kirby Muxloe, Leicester, Leicestershire LE9 2DH, UK

Post Code: LE9 2DH

Council: Blaby

County: Leicestershire

Road Access: Kirby Muxloe Castle is 4 miles west of Leicester off B5380; close to M1 junction 21A (Northbound exit only.)
Bus Access: NJ Travel service 13A to Kirby Corner; Arriva 153 to Kirby Muxloe then 1⁄2 mile walk.
Train Access: Leicester station is 5 miles from Kirby Muxloe Castle.
Bicycle Access: Plan your cycling route to Kirby Muxloe Castle at sustrans.org.uk, the National Cycle Network.
Parking: There’s free parking at Kirby Muxloe Castle. Some additional on-street parking in Oakcroft Avenue. There’s no coach and minibus parking at the site.