Kirby Muxloe Castle
Leicestershire, England
Key facts
- Operator
- English Heritage
- Condition
- Partial ruin
- Access
- Limited tour days
- Entry pass
- English Heritage Overseas Visitor Pass
- Nearest station
- Leicester, 4.3 miles (straight-line)
Pinpoint
Kirby Muxloe, Leicester LE9 2DH
Telephone 0370 333 1181
Visitor essentials
- Parking
- Free on-site parking, plus some additional on-street parking in Oakcroft Avenue; no coach or minibus parking.
- Access
- Not wheelchair accessible; disabled visitors cannot be set down at the entrance because the drawbridge blocks it, and paths include gravel and a wooden bridge.
- Dogs
- Dogs on leads are welcome.
- Safety
- The castle is surrounded by a deep moat, and the towers have steep spiral stairs with limited clearance.
An unfinished 15th-century brick castle begun by William, Lord Hastings, and left incomplete after his execution in 1483 - the same fate, and the same patron, as Ashby de la Zouch down the road. It's a genuinely small site, walkable in fifteen or twenty minutes, with interior access limited to guided tours on selected days only.
Who to know
William, Lord Hastings · began the unfinished brick castle; executed in 1483
Worth the trip
The brick construction itself - an early and unusually well-preserved example of brick rather than stone castle-building in England.
Before you go
Double-check opening times directly before travelling - at least one reviewer arrived to find the car park gate locked outside guided tour hours, and satnav directions can misroute you toward a nearby farmer's field rather than the entrance; the on-site toilet is a single portaloo that isn't always unlocked.
Reviewers consistently enjoy Kirby Muxloe's peaceful grounds and moat, recommending it for a picnic or a short walk, and several praise a particularly knowledgeable member of staff. One visitor was caught out by reduced opening hours: the castle interior is now only accessible via pre-booked tours, with the shop and cafe having been removed, so it's worth checking before visiting. Toilet facilities are also limited or unavailable on site.
Guided tours on selected days
“A nice quiet place for a picnic and walk. The only bad parts were that Google decided not to take me to the entrance. If I hadn't noticed the signs, I would have ended up in a farmers field. And the toilet was a single…”- Ian westwood, visitor review
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Parking
- “When we arrived for just after 11am, the gate to the car park was locked, and had a sign saying ‘for Guided Tours only’.” - Charrot
- Facilities
- “The chap also told us the castle status had been ‘down graded’ by the trust, and that opening hours had severely been reduced, and the cafe and shop taken away.” - Charrot
Common questions about Kirby Muxloe Castle
Where is Kirby Muxloe Castle?
Kirby Muxloe Castle is in Leicestershire, England, at Kirby Muxloe, Leicester LE9 2DH.
How do you visit Kirby Muxloe Castle?
Kirby Muxloe Castle opens on limited tour days rather than every day, and is looked after by English Heritage. Because the dates are restricted, check the official site and book ahead before travelling.
What is the highlight of visiting Kirby Muxloe Castle?
The brick construction itself - an early and unusually well-preserved example of brick rather than stone castle-building in England.
Is Kirby Muxloe Castle a ruin or still intact?
Kirby Muxloe Castle is a partial ruin - Guided tours on selected days.
