Mountsorrel Castle is an 11th century earthwork motte and bailey fortress, founded by Hugh Lupus, earl of Chester. Evidence suggests that the castle was built on the site of ancient earthworks, with the northern part of a granite outcrop, scarped into a circular motte and the remaining platform becoming the now mutilated bailey. Abandoned in 1217, after King Henry II ordered it to be razed to the ground, the motte is now partly quarried away and crowned by a war memorial, with the remains of a wide bailey ditch, to the south. 9 miles south-west is Groby Castle and 12 miles west is Donington-le-Heath Manor House.