A showpiece fortified manor house rather than a castle, the brick-built Kirby Muxloe Castle was begun in 1480 by William, Lord Hastings.
Hastings was a leading supporter of the Yorkist King Edward IV. But when Edward died, the future king Richard III suddenly denounced Hastings as a traitor, and Hastings was beheaded without trial.
Work on Kirby Muxloe Castle stopped, and the castle was never completed.
Kirby Muxloe Castle is currently open at weekends only - for pre-booked guided tours.