Top 15 Attractions in Leicester, Leicestershire

The largest city in the East Midlands gained international attention in 2012 when the remains of King Richard III were uncovered beneath a parking lot.

Richard was killed in 1485 at the Battle of Bosworth Field, a few miles to the west, and was hastily buried at a now-defunct abbey.

In 2015, he was accorded a more dignified burial at Leicester Cathedral, where his tomb can be visited.

Fast forward 500 years, and modern Leicester is home to the UK’s National Space Centre, a fascinating attraction for aspiring astronauts. Additionally, the New Walk Museum and Art Gallery boasts dinosaur fossils and Egyptian mummies.

An exceptional remnant from the steam era is showcased at the Abbey Pumping Station, where four Victorian steam engines remain operational. Moreover, in 2016, the local football club astounded the world by clinching the Premier League title against all expectations.

Let us delve into the premier attractions in Leicester:

1. King Richard III Visitor Centre

The last Plantagenet monarch, depicted as a villain by Shakespeare, King Richard III lost his life at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485. After his death, his body was paraded 15 miles into Leicester and unceremoniously interred at the Greyfriars Friary.

This site was demolished during the Reformation, and by the 20th century, it had transformed into a parking lot.

The quest for Richard III’s remains commenced in August 2012, culminating in weeks with his bones being rediscovered, primarily identified by the scoliosis in his spine.

The visitor centre, established at the former parking lot, chronicles Richard’s life and untimely death, delineating both the quest for his remains and the genomic sequencing of ancient DNA to confirm the archaeologists had located the correct individual.

2. Leicester Cathedral

In 2015, Richard III’s remains were ceremoniously reinterred at Leicester Cathedral.

His tomb is located in the chancel, consisting of a substantial block of light Swaledale limestone, intricately etched with a cross, positioned atop a darker limestone plinth from Kilkenny.

The cathedral dates back to 1086, although most of its architectural features stem from a neo-Gothic restoration during the Victorian era, employing some of the leading designers and craftsmen of that time.

The exquisite wooden rood screen was crafted by Charles Nicholson, while the Vaughan Porch at the southern entrance was designed by J. L. Pearson.

This features seven figures set in ogee-headed niches, spanning from the 7th-century St. Guthlac of Crowland to Robert Grosseteste, Archdeacon of Leicester in the 13th century, noted for his profound contributions to scholastic philosophy.

3. National Space Centre

Leicester University is among the few institutions in the nation offering courses in space sciences, making it a fitting host for the National Space Centre.

The majority of the exhibits reside in the Rocket Tower, an extraordinary structure adorned with bubbles of partially transparent EFTE plastic.

Within the six galleries, you can view one of the few Soviet Soyuz spacecraft located in the West, along with an array of interactive displays focusing on cosmology, astronomy, and space flight science.

The museum’s restaurant is positioned in a remarkable location beneath the towering PGM-17 Thor and Blue Streak Rockets.

Additionally, the National Space Centre boasts the largest planetarium in the UK and frequently hosts space scientists and astronauts for lectures.

4. Leicester Guildhall

Leicester’s town hall until the 1870s, this timber-framed Guildhall was founded in the late 14th century as a meeting venue for the Corpus Christi guild.

This association encompassed merchants and individuals of high social standing, predominantly connected to the church.

The Guildhall possesses a captivating history; it is believed that Shakespeare performed here in the 16th century. Records indicate that Cromwell utilized the building during the English Civil War in the mid-17th century.

This location was also home to the UK’s third-oldest public library, and in 1836, it transitioned into Leicester’s inaugural police station.

Cells remain intact on the ground floor of the east wing, where one can learn about notorious Victorian pickpockets, including Emma Smith and Crankie Gemmie.

5. New Walk Museum and Art Gallery

Established in 1849 as one of the UK’s first public museums, the New Walk Museum features an exceptional collection of German Expressionist art, showcasing works by prominent figures such as Paul Klee and Kandinsky from when the German Hans Hess served as assistant curator.

In 2007, actor Richard Attenborough donated a significant collection of artworks to the museum, including a remarkable set of Picasso ceramics.

Children will be fascinated by the four Egyptian mummies, alongside two complete dinosaur skeletons—a plesiosaur and a cetiosaur.

A notable geological exhibit displays the charnia fossil, discovered in 1957, marking the first fossil identified from Precambrian rocks, a period previously considered too early for complex life forms.

6. Abbey Park

Situated alongside the River Soar, Abbey Park encompasses 90 acres of public grounds replete with fascinating historical landmarks.

Opened in 1882, the park derives its name from St. Mary’s Abbey, which once occupied the west bank of the Soar.

This Augustinian monastery, founded in the 12th century, was historically the wealthiest in Leicestershire and was where Thomas Wolsey passed away in 1530 while en route to face treason charges.

The abbey was dismantled during the Reformation, with much of its stone repurposed for Cavendish House, an exquisite Tudor mansion that was destroyed in the English Civil War, now a spectral ruin.

The park offers numerous family-oriented activities, featuring a boating lake, a “pets corner” with small animals, a lavender maze, and a miniature railway.

7. Church of St Mary de Castro

Located on the grounds of Leicester Castle, the Grade I listed Church of St Mary de Castro is among the oldest structures in the city, originating from the early 12th century.

Significant portions of the original walls persist, alongside various elements from an extension completed in the 1160s.

The north and west doorways feature remarkable Norman Romanesque zigzag ornamentation, while the piscina and sedilia in the chancel are recognized as some of the finest remaining examples of Norman decoration in the UK.

Do not miss the grand east window in the south aisle, adorned with intricate tracery dating from around 1300. Notably, King Henry VI was knighted in this church in 1426. During the same ceremony, Henry knighted Richard of York, 3rd Duke of York, who later served as England’s Lord Protector during Henry’s period of insanity.

8. Great Central Railway

At Leicester North, visitors can board the UK’s only mainline heritage railway.

The Great Central Railway is unique worldwide, allowing full-sized steam locomotives to pass each other.

The railway operates on weekends, bank holidays, and select weekdays during the school summer holidays.

Fifteen heritage locomotives service the line, some of which are currently in storage for restoration, primarily dating from the early 20th century.

The journey to Loughborough takes about half an hour, yet various special experiences are available to enhance the trip.

Visitors can opt to “drive” a locomotive or choose a leisurely service for a Saturday or Sunday luncheon, featuring a four-course meal.

9. University of Leicester Botanic Garden

Situated southeast of the city, the Botanic Garden at the University of Leicester, managed by the genetics department, encompasses 16 acres of meticulously maintained formal parterres, lawns, sculptures, ponds, pergolas, and glasshouses.

Within these structures, you can observe cacti, succulents, and flowers being prepared for the summer season.

Moreover, the garden features charming Edwardian properties such as the Knoll, Beaumont House, and Southmeade, all of which are utilized as student residences by the university.

In the warmer months, outdoor art exhibitions and live music enhance the garden experience, while the nearby Attenborough Arboretum in Knighton boasts a Medieval-style ridge and furrow field, ponds, and a forest of native trees.

10. Abbey Pumping Station

Adjacent to the Soar River and in close proximity to the National Space Centre is the city’s science and technology museum.

Established in 1891, the Abbey Pumping Station served as a sewage pumping facility, directing waste several miles west to Beaumont Leys.

Its significance lies in the grand brick industrial architecture and the four Woolf steam-powered beam engines.

These powerful machines each possess a capacity of 200 horsepower and were capable of pumping 909,218 liters of sewage per hour.

The engine house is the only place globally where you can witness four identical steam engines in operational condition.

Visitors can see these engines in action during special “Steam with the Team” events held every few months, as well as during the Urban Steam Festival, which takes place over a full weekend in late June.

11. Leicester City F.C.

Leicester City F.C., known as the Foxes, has consistently been a competitive force in English football, having spent only one season outside the top two leagues throughout its history.

However, in 2016, they achieved the unimaginable feat of winning the Premier League despite being expected to finish at the bottom of the table.

In August 2015, some bookmakers listed their odds at 5000-1 to win the league that season, thereby marking their victory as one of the most extraordinary upsets in sports history.

The club competes at the 32,315-capacity King Power Stadium, which provides a lively, family-friendly atmosphere on match days and typically sells out nearly all fixtures, necessitating advanced arrangements.

12. Bradgate Park

Located on the northwestern outskirts of the city, this 850-acre area showcases stunning rocky moorland.

Bradgate Park presents several compelling reasons for visitors to enjoy a countryside stroll.

It is one of the rare locations in the UK where Precambrian basement rocks, generated approximately 560 million years ago, can be seen at the surface.

The fossils located here and in the surrounding area represent the only known Precambrian fossils discovered in Western Europe.

The park is also home to around 450 red and fallow deer, along with impressive oak trees that are centuries old.

The ruins of the 16th-century Bradgate House add to the park’s charm.

This structure, abandoned in the 18th century, was among the first post-Roman estates constructed from bricks and was the residence of Lady Jane Grey, who reigned as Queen of England for just nine days in 1553.

13. Bosworth Battlefield

For those intrigued by Richard III’s narrative, a brief journey west leads to the site of a battle that altered the trajectory of English history.

The Battle of Bosworth Field, fought on August 22, 1485, marked the conclusion of the Wars of the Roses, pitting the Houses of Lancaster against York.

The Lancastrian Henry Tudor emerged victorious, ascending as the first Tudor King, while his adversary, Richard III, was relegated to a crude grave.

The nearby Heritage Centre recounts the events of that day and the extensive background to the conflict, demonstrating how archaeologists pinpointed the accurate site of the battlefield.

Artifacts from the battleground, engaging multimedia displays, replica suits of armor, dioramas, and guided tours endeavor to recreate the battle’s significance.

In mid-August, visitors can experience the Medieval Festival, which features reenactments and market stalls.

14. Leicester Market

Over 800 years old, Leicester Market relocated to its current site around seven centuries ago.

Boasting more than 270 stalls, it ranks as Europe’s largest outdoor covered market and is currently undergoing significant redevelopment as of 2018.

The Food Hall operates from 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Saturday, featuring fresh fruits and vegetables, cheeses (notably the regional red Leicester), fishmongers, and butcher counters, with a strong emphasis on sourcing produce from local Leicestershire suppliers.

Various stalls meet a spectrum of needs, selling fabrics, clothing, jewelry, freshly prepared sustenance, second-hand books, cosmetics, and flowers.

At the market’s core stands the neo-Baroque Leicester Corn Exchange (1850), now home to a restaurant and pub.

15. Curry

Post-World War II, Leicester experienced a significant influx of immigrants from South Asia, followed by substantial numbers from the Asian communities of Uganda and Kenya during the 1970s.

This migration has greatly influenced the city’s cultural landscape, particularly in the northern and eastern suburbs.

The Golden Mile along Belgrave Road, north of the city center, resembles a vibrant Indian enclave, hosting premier curry establishments alongside opulent jewelry and sari shops.

Curry has become an integral aspect of Leicester’s identity, highlighted by the annual “Curry Awards” held at a gala dinner to honor the finest dining venues.

Notable restaurants recognized in recent years include Shimla Pinks, Chai Paani (vegetarian), Khyber, Masalas (takeaway), and Tadka.