Laxton Castle is a Norman earthwork motte and bailey fortress, founded by the Alselin family. The low flat-topped motte is encased by a narrow v-section ditch and was crowned by a timber palisade. The very large outer bailey which is set in line to the south and encased by the traces of banks and ditches is a later medieval addition. In the early 13th century, the de Everingham family founded the stone castle when adding a hall and encasing the inner bailey with a curtain wall. Of the castle and its post-medieval manorial complex, both baileys contain the remains of their buildings and mounds seen as earthworks. The truncated conical mound on the summit of the motte, is probably part of the landscape garden, connected with the 16th century manor house. 2 miles north-east at Egmanton is Gaddick Hill and 8 miles south-west at Clipstone is King John's Palace.