Clan Rising

Donington Castle

Donington Castle was an early 12th-century medieval castle at Castle Donington in Leicestershire. Its medieval masonry survives only in fragments that were later incorporated into the fabric of Donington House. The site was active through the early 13th century and passed through several hands before becoming Crown property.

Recreate this castle →Defend this castle →

Its prime

1215

Today

Partial ruin

As it stood in 1215

What Donington Castle looked like in its prime.

In its prime around 1215 Donington Castle appeared as a compact stone fortress set within the village on the flat Leicestershire plain. The site had continuous stone curtain walls enclosing a small cobbled courtyard and internal ranges, built of coursed medieval rubble and ashlar with lime mortar. Crenellated parapets and narrow defensive openings punctuated the wallline; rooflines of the halls and inner stronghold rose just above the curtain. Condition at prime: complete and occupied.

Its story

The story of Donington Castle.

Donington Castle stood in the village of Castle Donington in Leicestershire, north of what is now East Midlands Airport. Built in the early 12th century, it was held by the de Lacy family and was attacked around the time of Magna Carta, remaining active as a fortress through the early 13th century.

In 1311 the castle passed to Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, the cousin of Edward II, and it eventually became Crown property. Its medieval masonry survives only in fragments, long since incorporated into the fabric of Donington House.

Step inside

2 places to explore in 1215.

The record describes 2 distinct spots at Donington Castle, including 1 interior: donington house, incorporated medieval masonry. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Exterior approach from the village laneDonington House, incorporated medieval masonry

Build Your Own Castle

Recreate Donington Castle with AI to explore it.

The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1215, a photoreal reconstruction that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.

Recreate this castle →Defend this castle →

Whose castle

Clans who held Donington Castle.

The families that held Donington Castle for a decade or more across its history, follow a name to its clan.

  • Lacy

    Held by the de Lacy family in the 12th century; the castle passed to Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, in 1311.

Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Donington Castle.

Pride Park Stadium, EnglandStadiumPride Park Stadium11 km awayWollaton Hall, EnglandMuseumWollaton Hall14 km awayMeadow Lane, EnglandStadiumMeadow Lane17 km away

Questions about Donington Castle

What is the history of Donington Castle?

Donington Castle was built in the early 12th century as a medieval fortress in Castle Donington. It was held by the de Lacy family and attacked around the time of Magna Carta. The castle remained active through the early 13th century, passed to Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, in 1311, and eventually became Crown property.

Why was Donington Castle built, and what was it used for?

Donington Castle was built as a fortress and remained active in that role through the early 13th century. Its position within Castle Donington placed it on the flat Leicestershire plain, where its stone walls enclosed a compact courtyard and internal ranges. The material does not describe a later change of purpose.

Where is Donington Castle?

Donington Castle was in the village of Castle Donington in Leicestershire, north of what is now East Midlands Airport. Castle Donington is the nearest named settlement and the location in which the castle stood. The site was set within the village on the flat Leicestershire plain.

When was Donington Castle built?

Donington Castle was built in the early 12th century. The first-raised year is not recorded, so no precise construction year can be given. The castle remained active through the early 13th century.

Was Donington Castle ever attacked or besieged?

Donington Castle was attacked around the time of Magna Carta. The supplied material does not name the attackers, give an exact date, or say whether the castle held or fell. It remained active as a fortress through the early 13th century.

Which family or clan held Donington Castle?

Donington Castle was held by the de Lacy family in the 12th century. In 1311 it passed to Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, the cousin of Edward II. The castle eventually became Crown property.

What did Donington Castle look like in its prime?

In its prime around 1215, Donington Castle appeared as a compact stone fortress within the village. Continuous stone curtain walls enclosed a small cobbled courtyard and internal ranges, built from coursed medieval rubble and ashlar with lime mortar. Crenellated parapets, narrow defensive openings, and rooflines rising just above the curtain completed its defensive silhouette.

Is Donington Castle still standing, or is it a ruin?

Donington Castle is now a partial ruin, with medieval masonry surviving only in fragments. Those remains have been incorporated into the fabric of Donington House. In its prime around 1215, the castle was described as complete and occupied.

More castles of England

Flamborough Castle, EnglandFlamborough CastleHaughley Castle, EnglandHaughley CastleBaynard Castle, EnglandBaynard Castle
All castles of England · Castles of Europe · the best castles in Europe · explore the finished reconstructions.