Said to be the setting of Shakespeare’s King Lear, Leicester has a vibrant calendar of events and festivals, award-winning museums and galleries, and 2,000 years of heritage waiting to be discovered.
In Britain’s 10th biggest city you’ll find a fascinating historical center with Roman baths, industrial artifacts, and the final resting place of King Richard III.
Kings and cathedrals
The most popular visitor attraction in Leicester is undoubtedly the King Richard III Visitor Centre, which opened in 2014 after the King’s remains were discovered by archaeologists beneath a parking lot two years earlier. The 15th-century monarch was the last English king to die in battle, and you can find out more about his turbulent reign through its interactive exhibitions.
Situated across from the Visitor Centre lies Leicester Cathedral, which dates to 1089, and is the final resting place of Richard III. The cathedral’s beautiful stained-glass windows and royal tomb attract thousands of visitors each year.
Shopping in Leicester
From its 800-year-old market, which is one of the biggest in Europe, to the Highcross shopping center, Leicester offers a great mix of shopping. The market is home to a wide range of stalls – from fruit vendors to craft stores, butchers to flower stalls. Spend the morning browsing this beautiful space.
If you’re feeling hungry, be sure to visit the food hall. A foodie’s dream, it’s the perfect spot to pick up some local delicacies – including handcrafted cheeses like Red Leicester. It’s open six days a week and is an ideal pit stop before driving across town.
Space and history
The National Space Centre in Leicester is the largest in the country and a popular attraction for families and school groups. It provides superb entertainment for space science fans with its interactive exhibitions, and is home to the UK’s largest planetarium.
If you prefer something a little more rustic on an English driving vacation, then head over to Belgrave Hall in the north of the city. Here you’ll learn more about everyday Leicester life and can relax in its beautiful walled garden.
Day trips from Leicester
Leicester is less than an hour’s drive from Birmingham, and only a 45-minute trip from Coventry and Nottingham. It’s a fantastic transport hub if you’re arriving here on vacation with an abundance of cities, market towns and the scenic English countryside all waiting to be explored.
With medieval timber-framed buildings standing alongside five churches, Stamford is the perfect place to visit on a day trip. One of the best-preserved stone towns in the country, it’s been the romantic English setting of a host of films and TV series. You can visit the town by taking the A47 eastbound from Leicester. It should only take you about 50 minutes.
Equally enjoyable for business and pleasure, renting a car in Leicester is the best way to get around the city and beyond.