Discover Castle Donington

Castle Donington brings together local history and a range of reasons to stay: the museum and castle monument explore different historical themes, while the East Midlands Aeropark features aircraft and Donington Park Car Trackdays offers track driving. The annual Mayday Market may also influence your choice of travel dates. If you are looking for a hotel in Castle Donington, distinguishing between cultural attractions and date-specific experiences can help you decide what to focus on during your trip. For events and motorsport activities, check the relevant dates before planning.

Culture and history

Castle Donington Museum is housed in the Grade II listed Stone House, built in the mid-17th century. Admission is free; check the latest visitor information before you arrive. During its main season, the museum presents a new exhibition each year. A visit therefore combines the historic building with an exhibition focus that changes annually. Castle Donington was also known for growing willows and basket-making; this craft continued into the 20th century. Basket-making adds another aspect of local history to the story of the buildings.

The castle monument consists of the buried remains of an enclosure castle surrounded by a moat and an outer ditch. The castle was built in the mid-12th century by the Lords of Halton in Cheshire, destroyed in 1215 on the orders of King John, and rebuilt in the late 13th century. This sequence clearly distinguishes the first castle from its later reconstruction. The site is next to the planned medieval settlement and overlooks an important ford across the Trent. Significant surviving earthworks make the castle a well-preserved example of a type of structure rarely found in the county.

The churches also offer contrasting architectural features. The Baptist Church was built in 1774 and extended in 1827. At the Church of St Edward King and Martyr, the tall octagonal spire with two tiers of lucarnes is a distinctive feature. The Baptist Church is therefore notable for its two construction dates, while St Edward is notable for the shape of its spire and its described roof design.

Aircraft and motorsport

At Donington Park Car Trackdays, visitors can drive their own vehicles on the race circuit. The programme varies according to the calendar, so check the scheduled dates if you are planning your trip around it. Donington Park accepts enquiries about purchasing vouchers for driving experiences and general questions. This distinguishes a visit centred on driving your own vehicle from an enquiry about a driving experience voucher.

The East Midlands Aeropark is located at Hill Top in Castle Donington. Its static aircraft are displayed outdoors for visitors to view and photograph. Two viewing mounds are located 170 metres north of the airport’s main east–west runway; conditions for plane-spotting may vary. Pre-arranged group visits may include a guided tour lasting about an hour. Groups are allowed to enter one or two large aircraft, including the VC10 and the Nimrod. The approximate duration applies to this pre-arranged group tour and should not be assumed to apply to every type of Aeropark visit.

Dates to consider when planning your stay

Castle Donington’s annual Mayday Market stretches along Borough Street, Market Place and Market Street. Check the event dates for your intended travel period if you want to plan your stay around it. It is also useful to distinguish the market from the museum programme: the new exhibition runs during the main season, while the market takes place annually. If you are travelling specifically for the market, check the dates for the relevant year.

Explore more destinations: Appleby Magna, Great Glen, Markfield, Harby, Sproxton, Swannington, Moira, Sapcote.

For the broader travel overview: Leicestershire.