TUCKED away in the English countryside is a town that sounds like it should belong in France.
Ashby-de-la-Zouch isn’t somewhere you’d find in Normandy or the Provence region – it’s actually in Leicestershire.
But the town actually does have connections to France.
Originally, it was just called Ashby, until the noble French family de la Zouch moved there in the 12th century.
After the Norman Conquest of England, the family took ownership of the area and named it after themselves too.
The de la Zouches built their own manor house home there and generations of the family lived there for hundreds of years.
Later on, the manor was transformed into a castle by William, Lord Hastings who made it his home.
The site is now in ruins and is run by English Heritage, with tickets from £8.50.
One visitor called it a “lovely hidden gem” and added that it was “well worth a visit.”
In its history, Ashby was known as a fashionable Regency health resort after the discovery of spa waters.
With lots of wealthy visitors, Ashby built the Ivanhoe Baths in 1822 which made it a must-visit destination in the Georgian era.
The grand bathhouse ended up closing in 1884 due to a drop in visitor numbers and was demolished in 1962.
The grounds are still open to the public and are completely free to roam about.
The castle is famous too after featuring in Sir Walter Scott’s 1819 book Ivanhoe.
The romantic novel has a grand tournament scene at the estate.
The town has its own outdoor swimming pool too – in fact it’s the only lido in Leicestershire.
The pool first opened in 1929, more recently underwent a £1.2million redevelopment and after a 20-month closure, it reopened in 2021.
New additions included a sandpit and climbing frame, refreshment spots and upgraded changing rooms.
The 30 metre heated lido is seasonal and usually open between May to September for general swims and lane sessions.
Swims cost £6.10 for adults and £4.05 for juniors.
Like most UK towns Ashby has a high street filled with independent shops, cafés, pubs, and restaurants.
It hosts a street market on Thursdays and Saturdays too.
The town itself is in the National Forest in the Midlands that spans 200 square miles across parts of Derbyshire, Leicestershire, and Staffordshire.
Being surrounded by greenery means it’s an ideal spot for keen walkers and cyclists.