Castle Donington & Kings Mill

This village blends the old and new with modern shops standing alongside dignified Georgian houses and 16th/17th Century timer-framed  houses. Several timber framed houses dating from the 17th century and earlier survive along the main road

Donington was mentioned in the Domesday Book and had a Castle which was originally built by Eustace, Baron Haulton. The Baron’s support for the Magna Carta resulted in the castle being demolished by King John. It was rebuilt in 1278 and four subsequent owners died by the executioner’s axe.  It was also owned by Joan, mother of Richard the II, and Chaucer is said to have written his poem “Fair Maid of Kent” whilst visiting her there. It was later abandoned after belonging to the Hastings family and fell into complete decay. Today a tree clad mound is all that remains of the Castle. The area around the Church remains the centre for shopping and is full of interest. The street layout itself was modified by the Normans when the castle and Church were built, although some of the odd street names, such as Barroon (formerly Barrowgang), Biggin, and Bondgate originate from the time of the Danelaw. The meaning of the name Clapgun Street is obscure.The beautiful Church of St Edward, King and Martyr with its promenent spire can be seen for miles around

Fast Facts:

• A May Day Medieval Market is held each year.   

• Donington Park was the original venue for the Monsters of Rock festivals through the 1980s and 1990s, and is now the home of the annual Download Festival.

• Usually during the last week of October each year the town hosts a travelling fair, known locally as Donington Wakes.
• East Midlands Airport is served by several major airlines including BMI, whose headquarters are nearby.
• Castle Donington had its own power station, which when originally built in 1958 was one of the largest coal fired power stations inEurope, and was officially opened by Nikita Khruschev the then leader of the Soviet Union. However, this was closed in September 1994 and demolished in 1996.

Attractions Nearby

• East Midlands Aeorpark The Aeropark is both an aviation museum and a viewing area where you can study the preserved planes of yesteryear or watch the modern airliners of today taking-off and landing at a growing international passenger and cargo airport.
• Donington Park Race Circuit and Donington Collection Museum
• Farmers Market every second Saturday of the month.
• Castle Donington Museum is on Apiary Gate has regular exhibitions and is open from Easter to the end of September
  

Close by is Kings Mill, where a castellated  stone house, once used as a priests house, is now a 4 star hotel. The mill was once used to make paper for bank notes. The Priest House Hotel www.handpickedhotel.co.uk/priesthouse