Ashby-de-la-Zouch, often simply called Ashby, is a historic market town in northwest Leicestershire, nestled near the borders with Derbyshire and Staffordshire. Known for its rich heritage, it is perhaps most famous for the imposing Ashby Castle, once a royalist stronghold during the English Civil War and immortalised in Sir Walter Scott's novel 'Ivanhoe'. The town is surrounded by gentle countryside and lies within easy reach of the National Forest, making it an attractive base for both nature lovers and history enthusiasts.