Summary
The county of Leicestershire garnered attention in 2012 when the remains of King Richard III were discovered.
This infamous 15th-century monarch was interred in an unmarked grave after his demise at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485. For those interested in history, Leicester offers numerous sites to satiate your curiosity regarding Richard, from the battlefield to his final resting place at Leicester Cathedral.
Leicester also boasts exceptional museums, while the surrounding countryside is dotted with grand estates and charming villages featuring thatched cottages.
Visitors can explore the lively university towns like Loughborough or partake in one of the numerous food festivals held in Melton Mowbray, renowned for its Stilton cheese and pork pies.
Let us examine the premier destinations to explore in Leicestershire:
1. Leicester
Since the rediscovery of his remains beneath a parking lot in 2012, Richard III has become the focal point of Leicester.
A new visitor center provides details about the discovery of his grave and the techniques utilized to identify his 500-year-old skeleton.
Leicester has much more to offer, featuring significant attractions, museums, and venues such as the National Space Centre, Curve Theatre, the 15th-century Guildhall, the New Walk Museum, and the Cathedral where Richard III was reburied in 2015. In 2016, Leicester City produced one of sports’ most remarkable underdog stories by winning the Premier League despite starting the season with odds of 5,000-1. The Foxes play at King Power Stadium, which has a capacity of over 30,000.
2. Melton Mowbray
Two notable English delicacies can be found in Melton Mowbray.
Firstly, the pork pie, which consists of uncured seasoned pork enclosed in pastry.
This convenient dish is typically served cold and gained popularity among fox hunters in the 19th century.
The market town is one of the few authorized locations for producing blue Stilton, a strong, crumbly cheese that pairs excellently with port, especially during the Christmas season.
Within these traditional surroundings, various festivals and events celebrate the town’s culinary heritage: including the Melton Mowbray Food Festival in October and the Cheese Fair at the end of April, among others.
3. Loughborough
The largest town beyond Leicester, Loughborough is significantly influenced by Loughborough University, which comprises a quarter of the population during academic terms.
Consequently, the atmosphere is youthful and vibrant outside of summer, whereas it tends to be more subdued from June to September, depending on individual preferences.
In October, the Loogabarooga Festival is a literary event that attracts authors and illustrators, offering numerous enjoyable activities for children.
The town center, updated in the 1930s, showcases striking art deco architecture, illustrated by the cinema on Cattle Market.
Loughborough’s weekly markets emphasize its robust rural community, operating on Thursdays and Saturdays, in addition to a vintage market on Fridays.
4. Market Harborough
A prominent structure in Market Harborough is the Old Grammar School.
Over 400 years old and restored in 2014, this distinctive timber-framed building once hosted a grammar school on its upper floor and was situated above a butter market, which now transforms into an artisan market on Saturdays.
Harborough Museum features the Hallaton Treasure, the largest collection of Iron Age coins ever uncovered in Britain, comprising over 130 coins found in 2000. Furthermore, adjacent to the Old Grammar School is the Grade I-listed St Dionysius’ Church, primarily of medieval origin, distinguished by its remarkable 47-meter spire, completing the historic landscape of the town center.
5. Market Bosworth
Trace the final moments of Richard III in this picturesque market town located just north of the battlefield where he met his end, marking the closure of the Plantagenet era and the onset of Tudor rule in 1485. Following the discovery of Richard’s body, the king’s funeral procession traversed Market Bosworth in 2015 en route to Leicester Cathedral.
The Bosworth Field Heritage Centre is situated within a country park, housing indoor galleries exhibiting weapons and armor, both original and replicas that can be tried on.
Regular guided walks are also available to highlight significant sites and provide historical context to the visitors.
6. Hinckley
Located south of Market Bosworth, Hinckley provides convenient access to the Battlefield at Bosworth for those wishing to explore this pivotal event in English history.
Moreover, the town’s manufacturing heritage is noteworthy; hosiery production has flourished since the introduction of the framework knitting machine in the 1600s.
Hinckley and District Museum, housed within original framework cottages, details the town’s knitting history and showcases historic hand-operated frames.
Throughout the years, attendance at churches in Hinckley has dwindled; however, the medieval St Mary’s Church remains a community focal point, with its north chapel now serving as a coffee bar and an informal bookshop.
7. Lutterworth
Located in the southern part of the county, Lutterworth has held its market charter since 1214, with a few grocery stalls continuing this tradition on Thursdays.
For those curious, several thatched buildings and minor landmarks can be found in the town’s center.
The Lutterworth Town Hall, a notable Georgian building dating back to 1836, is distinguished by its rounded contours and was designed by Joseph Hansom, who also designed Birmingham Town Hall and the hansom cab.
Two delightful old pubs, The Cavalier Inn and The Shambles Inn, both featuring thatched roofs, date back to the 1500s, adding to the area’s charm.
Stanford House, a luxurious local manor from 1690, and the Lutterworth Museum, where the patent for the world’s first jet engine can be viewed, contribute to the local history.
8. Mountsorrel
Considered one of the most desirable addresses in Leicestershire, Mountsorrel features numerous historical properties and is enveloped by verdant, rolling countryside while maintaining quick access to Leicester to the south.
The Butter Market, designed in a classical style from the 1790s, serves as the town’s meeting hub.
This market replaced a 16th-century market cross, which was relocated by the Lord of the Manor to his estate at Swithley, where it still stands today.
To entertain children, the Stonehurst Family Farm offers a functioning farm environment where young visitors can interact with various domesticated animals, alongside a motor museum featuring an impressive collection of vintage tractors and sports cars.
9. Oadby
Just a few minutes from Leicester’s center, Oadby boasts several attractions.
Within Brocks Hill Country Park, set amid 30 hectares of woodlands and meadows, there is an Environment Centre equipped with solar panels, wind turbines, and rainwater collection systems to educate youth about renewable energy.
The Botanic Gardens of Leicester University, maintained by the genetics department, are adorned with beautiful Edwardian architecture.
Additionally, Oadby is home to Leicester Racecourse, which hosts National Hunt (jumping) meetings and flat races, ensuring a variety of events throughout the year.
10. Kirby Muxloe
Integral to the Richard III trail, this village lies just a couple of miles west of Leicester.
The castle, a captivating 15th-century ruin surrounded by a moat, is notable for its historical significance.
Anyone familiar with Shakespeare’s Richard III will recognize its owner, William Hastings, who was executed in 1483 under allegations of betrayal. Construction on his residence and fortress was halted instantly, rendering the remnants of the castle even more intriguing.
Your visit can be complemented by a day at the highly-rated Kirby Muxloe Golf Course, which has welcomed non-members since 1893.
11. Newtown Linford
Another village ranking as one of Leicestershire’s most livable places is Newtown Linford, situated within Charnwood Forest.
The area’s elevated terrain is striking, and the geological features are particularly captivating: The rocks in Bradgate Park date back 600 million years and are of volcanic origin.
For millennia, inhabitants have quarried the region for stone used in tool sharpening and grain milling.
Moreover, Bradgate House, a ruined estate, is historically significant as it was once the residence of Lady Jane Grey, who briefly ascended the throne before her execution in 1553.
12. Ashby-de-la-Zouch
Located in the western region of Leicestershire, Ashby is a proud market town within the National Forest.
This park represents a major initiative to replant expansive woodlands that once covered much of the Midlands prior to the Industrial Revolution, promoting wildlife’s return to formerly industrial territories.
Hicks Lodge offers a glimpse into this endeavor, positioned at a cycling center on a former colliery now being reclaimed by nature.
Ashby Castle was another property belonging to Lord Hastings, who transformed it from a manor house into a fortress in the 15th century.
Despite suffering extensive damage during the English Civil War, visitors can still ascend the tower for breathtaking views and explore the secret passage linking the tower and kitchen.
13. Desford
A popular family excursion in the Leicester region is Tropical Birdland, an aviary where many parrot species can fly freely during the day before returning to their enclosures overnight.
A significant number of these birds are former pets rehomed to a more suitable environment.
The attraction also offers a children’s play area and a tea room for visitors to enjoy.
Before or after your visit, you might like to stop in Desford for lunch at the Blue Bell Inn or take a stroll through the village.
The Norman-era church features 13th-century modifications, while the Old Hall dates back to the early 1600s and showcases Flemish-style gables.
14. Wymondham
This charming village, located just east of Melton Mowbray, lies within an area known for Stilton cheese production.
A caravan park frequented by holiday travelers fills with visitors eager to embrace the quintessential English countryside during summer.
This idyllic spot rests at the base of the Wymondham Windmill, which has a history spanning 200 years and has been converted into a tea room and shop.
The village features a welcoming pub, the Berkeley Arms, along with St Peter’s Church, a structure from the 13th century noted for its Early English architectural style.
For an exciting day trip, Belvoir Castle is just 15 minutes to the north, serving as the seat of the Dukes of Rutland. Originally a Norman fortress, it has undergone centuries of repairs and renovations, culminating in its impressive gothic-revival palace built in the 19th century. The castle grounds offer stunning views of the Belvoir Vale and are home to lavishly decorated interiors.
15. Coalville
This industrial town, Coalville, emerged in the 1830s and rapidly grew in population following the discovery of coal seams.
Coalville’s center comprises a documentary of 19th-century cottages built for workers, which are less common in the surrounding region than in counties to the west and north.
Nearby, the exquisite Donington-le-Heath Manor House, constructed in the 13th century and formerly owned by Everard Digby’s brother—an individual implicated in the Gunpowder Plot and executed in 1606—provides a glimpse into history.
