Earl Shilton Castle: The Norman Motte and Bailey Legacy

Discover the Norman motte and bailey earthworks of Earl Shilton Castle, a historic hunting lodge and fortress near Leicester.

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Earl Shilton Castle

Earl Shilton Castle is a historic 12th-century motte and bailey castle located on the northern edge of Earl Shilton village near Leicester. Founded soon after the Norman Conquest by the Earl of Leicester, the castle once guarded the Vale of Kirkby and served as a hunting lodge after its military use ended. Today, only the large earthwork mound, surrounded by a ditch and remnants of the bailey bank, remains as a scheduled monument within a public garden setting.

A brief summary to Earl Shilton Castle

Leicester, Earl Shilton, LE9, GB
Duration: 0.5 to 1.5 hours
Free
Outdoor
Mobile reception: 4 out of 5

Local tips

Visit during daylight hours to fully appreciate the earthwork mound and surrounding gardens.
Explore the adjacent parish church, which may have been part of the original castle complex.
Bring a camera to capture the scenic views of the motte and the village landscape.
Wear comfortable shoes as the site is an outdoor earthwork with grassy slopes and uneven terrain.

Getting There

Bus

Local bus services connect Earl Shilton with Leicester and Hinckley. The journey typically takes 30 to 45 minutes, with buses running every 30 to 60 minutes. Tickets cost approximately £3 to £5 one way. Note that services may be less frequent on weekends and public holidays.
Train and Taxi

The nearest train station is Hinckley, about 5 km from Earl Shilton. From Hinckley station, a taxi ride of 10 to 15 minutes costing around £10 to £15 will take you to the castle site. Train services from Leicester to Hinckley run regularly, with travel times of about 20 minutes and fares around £5 to £8.
Car

Driving from Leicester or Hinckley to Earl Shilton takes approximately 15 to 25 minutes depending on traffic. Limited parking is available near the village center. Note that the castle site itself is a small public garden with no dedicated parking, so plan to park in nearby village streets.

Earl Shilton Castle location weather suitability

Any Weather
Clear Skies
Mild Temperatures

Discover more about Earl Shilton Castle

Origins and Strategic Importance

Earl Shilton Castle was established shortly after the Norman Conquest in the late 11th or early 12th century by the Earl of Leicester, likely Robert Bossu, a close advisor to King Stephen. The castle was a motte and bailey design, featuring a large circular earthwork motte approximately 50 meters in diameter and 10 feet high, with a surrounding ditch and a bailey enclosure to the south. Its primary purpose was to protect the Vale of Kirkby and secure key travel routes in the region during a period of civil unrest known as The Anarchy. Although no records indicate any sieges or battles at the site, the castle’s presence was a strong military deterrent.

Transition from Fortress to Hunting Lodge

The castle’s military role was relatively short-lived, lasting only 30 to 40 years before it was demolished or fell into disuse by the late 12th century. Subsequently, the site was converted into a hunting lodge and parkland, known as Shilton Park, likely created by Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester. The park was a large enclosed estate of about 600 acres, stocked with game animals for sport and food, surrounded by a deep ditch and high fence to keep animals in and the public out. This hunting ground played a significant role in the manorial economy and leisure of the local nobility.

Architectural Remnants and Landscape Features

Today, the castle is represented by the impressive earthwork motte and the remnants of the bailey bank, which is about 50 meters long and up to 1 meter high. The parish church of Earl Shilton lies adjacent and may have originally been the castle chapel, possibly enclosed within the bailey defenses. In the 1950s, the site was adapted as a public park with flower beds on the mound’s slopes and a lawn on top. A modern folly gatehouse with a wooden drawbridge was also added, though these features are not original. The site is a scheduled monument, preserving its archaeological and historical significance.

Historical Context and Legacy

Earl Shilton Castle’s history is intertwined with notable medieval figures such as Simon de Montfort and Edmund Crouchback, who held the manor and park after the castle’s decline. The village itself, recorded in the Domesday Book as 'Sheltone', gained the prefix 'Earl' due to the castle’s association with the Earls of Leicester. The castle and parklands reflect the feudal and hunting culture of medieval England, illustrating the transition from military fortification to aristocratic leisure estate. The site also witnessed historical events such as King Richard III’s army movements in 1485 during the Wars of the Roses.

Present-Day Experience and Preservation

Visitors to Earl Shilton Castle today encounter a tranquil public garden that preserves the earthworks and offers a glimpse into Norman military architecture and medieval land use. The site’s grassy motte and surrounding ditch evoke the castle’s imposing presence in its heyday, while the nearby church and village landscape enrich the historical atmosphere. The castle mound’s adaptation into a park with flower beds and lawn provides a peaceful setting for reflection on the region’s layered history.

Significance in Regional Heritage

Earl Shilton Castle is a key heritage landmark in Leicestershire, representing Norman conquest strategies and medieval aristocratic life. Its scheduled monument status ensures protection and recognition of its archaeological value. The castle’s earthworks contribute to understanding the evolution of medieval fortifications and the social history of the area, making it an important cultural asset for both locals and visitors interested in England’s Norman past.

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Discover the Norman motte and bailey earthworks of Earl Shilton Castle, a historic hunting lodge and fortress near Leicester.

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Earl Shilton Castle: The Norman Motte and Bailey Legacy

A brief summary to Earl Shilton Castle

Local tips

For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you

Getting There

Bus

Train and Taxi

Car

Earl Shilton Castle location weather suitability

Unlock the Best of Earl Shilton Castle

Buy tickets

Book tours with entry

Book tours without entry

Discover more about Earl Shilton Castle

Origins and Strategic Importance

Transition from Fortress to Hunting Lodge

Architectural Remnants and Landscape Features

Historical Context and Legacy

Present-Day Experience and Preservation

Significance in Regional Heritage

Iconic landmarks you can’t miss

Earl Shilton Castle

King Lear

Museum Development East Midlands

Leicester Roman West Gate site

23 St.Nicholas Pl

Welford Place

Westmorland Drive

Bedworth Water Tower

Memorial Clock Tower

Sir Frank Whittle

Council House

Coton Manor Garden

Visit Stratford-upon-Avon

Hob's Moat

Blakesley Hall Museum

Unmissable attractions to see

Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre

Kirby Muxloe Castle

Fosse Park

Aylestone Meadows Local Nature Reserve

Leicester Castle

The Newarke Houses Museum

Jewry Wall & Roman Baths

The Guildhall Museum

Leicester Cathedral

King Richard III Visitor Centre

Veeno

Highcross

The Blackbird

Town Hall Square Fountain

Leicester Market

Essential places to dine

Fourwards Restaurant

Dom restaurant and bar

The Windmill Inn

Black Iron

Restaurant Romanesc Leicester (Romanian Restaurant) Grande Gusto

Sapphire Seafood Kitchen - Leicester Restaurant

Wygston's House Bar & Restaurant

Restaurant263

Cosy Club

Varanasi Boutique Restaurant

Bistrot Pierre - Leicester

Merchant of Venice

Sapori Restaurant & Bar

The Frame

The White Peacock

Markets, malls and hidden boutiques

Jasmine's Gifts

Curiosity Boutique Gothic , crystal & Holistic Shop.

Narborough Hall

Watkinghams Gift & Homeware Store

Ropewalk Shopping Centre

Niche Store

Arciide

Very Bazaar Leicester

Set

Nim's Boutique ltd

Forget Me Knot Leicester Ltd