Ashby-de-la-Zouch Castle was originally a 12th century stone fortified manor house, founded by Alain de Parrhoet, la Zouch. In 1474, William, Lord Hastings was granted a licence to crenellate and he founded an impressive stone keep and courtyard fortress. To the original hall, kitchen and solar block, he added a dominating four storey machicolated square keep, with a seven storey rectangular extension, a chapel and a surrounding curtain wall. The remaining narrow entrance of this late-medieval keep, was protected by a portcullis and running from the basement to the kitchen is a rare underground passage. In the 16th century, the Wilderness castle garden was given an enclosing brick wall, flanked by a pair of two storey angle towers. 7 miles north is Melbourne Castle and 9 miles south-west is Seckington Castle.