Ashby is a town in the North West of Leicestershire, England. It is also known as Ashby de la Zouch, and is near the borders of Staffordshire and Derbyshire. Its population was 11,410 in the 2001 census. The town is a popular tourist destination, with a variety of things to do.
Conkers is an award-winning attraction
Conkers is an award-winning visitor attraction near Ashby. The park’s activities range from interactive games and bubbling jets to a pirate ship and other great water attractions. The park also features a restaurant and picnic areas. Visitors can purchase tickets online or purchase an annual membership that gives them unlimited access for 12 months. The park is open daily except for Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Located in the National Forest, Conkers is a 120-acre indoor-outdoor mix of fun. Visitors can enjoy activities including a barefoot walk, 4D cinema experience, and a simulated treetop walk. The park is connected to two main attractions via a bridge known as the CONKERCHOO. Other attractions include a woodland walk, mud-caked adventure play, and imaginative water play.
St. Helen’s Church
A skull and crossbones symbol adorns St. Helen’s Church in Ashby, Leicestershire. According to local legend, this sign was meant to warn of the nearby plague pits. The pits were close to the vicarage. During the Civil War, dozens of people died in Ashby. However, an illiterate population might have mistaken the symbol for a warning triangle.
The church was built in 1653 by Robert Shirley, a high Anglican and Loyalist. This was a time of ‘calamitous’ turmoil and upheaval. He had commissioned the church as a protest against the Puritan church practices of the time. However, he would later die in prison from smallpox. He had been imprisoned after taking part in several uprisings against the Commonwealth and their attempts to bring back King Charles II to power.
St Helen’s Church is a large church with a west tower and the nave. It has Victorian windows that depict the life of Jesus. It also has several important funerary monuments, such as the pulpit and font. A unique finger pillory is also found in the church. The parish church has a long association with the Hastings family. During Henry Hastings’ reign, St Helen’s became a centre for Puritanism.
The church is situated in the shadow of Ashby de la Zouch Castle. Its roots are centuries old and are recorded in the Domesday Book. In the eleventh century, the parish was served by a priest who prayed for his parishioners in the morning and evening. The church had a nave, chancel, and vestry. In the early sixteenth century, the church was reconstructed and enlarged. In addition, Hastings added a special chapel for the Ashby lords. The church is made of local limestone and reddish sandstone. The church also boasts an impressive Tudor roof.
Ashby Castle
Ashby Castle is a civil parish and English estate village. Its main focus is the castle, which was once the seat of the Marquess of Northampton. There are plenty of things to do in Ashby, including visiting the castle, enjoying the grounds, and shopping for souvenirs.
The castle began as a manor house in the early 12th century, and was given castle status in the fifteenth century. You can take a guided audio tour of the castle, which tells the story of Ashby’s past. You can also visit the nearby town of Ashby de la Zouch, which is full of interesting independent shops.
During the spring and summer months, the gardens of Ashby Castle offer a range of activities and events that are suitable for children and adults of all ages. The garden includes a wooden playground covered with woodchip and a cute tearoom. You’ll also find unique areas such as the Italian Gardens, where sculpted hedges replace manmade fences. There are also secret gardens full of scented plants, and a butterfly sanctuary.
As the ancestral home of the 7th Marquess of Northampton, the castle is set in a beautiful, 10,000-acre estate. Its extensive gardens include the romantic Italian Gardens, the stunning Orangery, and an imposing Arboretum. The castle itself is an Elizabethan prodigy house and is one of the best examples of this style. The Palladian section that closes the front courtyard was added in the eighteenth century.
Another attraction that is popular with families is the Rebound Ashby inflatable obstacle course. The obstacle course includes climbing walls, rope ladders, and assault courses for people of all ages. There is also a Top VR Virtual Reality zone where you can try out state-of-the-art virtual reality headsets.
Charnwood Forest Alpacas
Charnwood Forest Alpacas is located in Boundary, Leicestershire and Derbyshire, near the outskirts of Ashby-de-la-Zouch. Visitors to the farm can see the animals up close and personal. They can learn about alpacas and their care from the farm owner, who will be more than happy to answer any questions.
Charnwood Forest Alpacas is open to the public from Thursday to Monday. Admission to the farm is free of charge. The alpaca farm also has a shop selling alpaca-related items. There is also a Chilli Bean cafe on site.
Charnwood Forest Alpacas has been open for six years and is continuing to expand to meet increasing visitor demand. The farm has upgraded its facilities to make it more user-friendly and convenient. It also offers an alpaca walking experience that lasts 90 minutes. Visitors can get up close and personal with the animals, and a ranger can explain the animals’ needs.
The cafe is located on a 30 acre farm. Chris Deakin, the owner of the farm, started his journey to become a successful alpaca breeder. Chris was self-taught and faced a steep learning curve in order to make a successful alpaca farm. His original intention was to retire to a peaceful, beautiful life, but instead he found himself enjoying the challenge.
You can also take part in alpaca walks, donkey walks, and even a baby alpaca experience. There is a cafe and toilets on site, and you can also buy a variety of snacks and drinks at the store. There are also discounts on online bookings.
Ashby Canal
The 22-mile Ashby Canal is a wonderful place for a boat trip. It is lock-free and surrounded by beautiful greenery. The waterway is also home to numerous wildlife including kingfishers, herons, and water voles. This rural area offers plenty of activities for all ages.
The canal was once used for coal transport, but since 1970 it has become a popular pleasure cruising waterway. A rebuilt bridge has extended the length of the canal by about half a mile, and plans are underway to restore the canal up to the town of Moira. In the meantime, you can still explore the historic canal.
Visiting the canal is one of the best ways to enjoy Measham. You can even rent a boat to enjoy the picturesque surroundings. The Ashby Canal Association has taken steps to restore this historic canal. The restoration will take several years, but they are determined to make this a reality. The group has already acquired land near the town to reopen the canal.
The canal was originally built as a broad-gauge connection between the Coventry Canal and the River Trent. Although it never made it to the Trent, it did serve the coalfields around Measham and Moira. Today, the canal is being rebuilt in stages, and you should allow time to travel in and out of the town.
For history buffs, the Ashby Canal is a great place to visit. It is home to the famous Bosworth Battlefield, which was fought in 1485. The town is also home to the Bosworth Steam Railway. Visitors can also explore a number of historic sites along the canal.