Best Places to Visit in Leicester (United Kingdom)

Are you searching for the Best Places to Visit in Leicester? Are you thinking of a trip to Europe and wondering what to explore in Leicester? We’ve got you covered. Although Leicester was always an area with plenty of historical significance, as do other cities in Britain up until 2010, the town was mostly known for Walkers Crisps and former footballer and TV host Gary Lineker.

The East Midlands city was thrown in the spotlight twice over four years. In 2012, the long-forgotten and secluded burial site of King Richard III was discovered in an abandoned car park. In 2016, the same year, Premier League underdogs Leicester won the league.

Since its founding, the city has been undergoing the process of cultural redevelopment. Some areas of the city’s centre have been upgraded to be more accessible to pedestrians plus more amazing city’s 2000-year history has been placed on the map. The city’s many parts are considered old-fashioned, with ruined historic buildings, battlefields, and other structures that date from Roman times.

The town is an ideal representation of the modern British city dotted with historical sites at every turn. A trip to Leicester provides every person, whether you’re interested in shopping, history or family entertainment.

National Space Centre

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National Space Centre is one of the best places to visit in Leicester. Learn more about the solar system, including famous space missions. Become an astronaut trainee for the day, and participate in the planetarium’s shows in this interactive museum. Get a fascinating tour through the wonder of the world with the National Space Centre.

With six interactive galleries with more than 150 events, a planetarium, and a rocket tower, it is one of the most significant British attractions based on Space. The Space Centre’s engaging and fun exhibits for families encompass everything from the iconic voyages to the moon to the search for aliens and the structure of our solar system.

Enter the futuristic-looking building into an open-plan area that includes exhibits of meteorites and planets, rockets and spacesuits, videos and much more. The 138-foot (42-meter) high Rocket Tower is the ideal place to begin your exploration.

Experience the pioneering space missions by Yuri Gagarin, the first person to orbit the Earth, and Neil Armstrong, the first person to walk on the moon. Look for original rockets, like the Blue Streak and Thor Able.

A further attraction is a 360-degree planetarium named in honour of the famous English Astronomer Sir Patrick Moore. Enjoy animated films on how Astronomers and astronomers help inform the public about the vast universe. Visit virtual night sky tours, and discover constellations by an expert guide.
Explore spacesuits and an actual Soviet-built Soyuz spacecraft within the Into Space gallery.

You can try reimagining what happened in the Big Bang, look for planets during a virtual journey and meet space aliens by visiting the Exploring the Universe gallery. This gallery also explores the mock solar system, complete with planets like Jupiter, Mars and Venus.

Find out more about satellites that predict the weather and natural catastrophes on orbiting Earth. Go to the Space Now! section to learn more about the latest happenings in Space. Assume you’re an aspiring astronaut heading to Europa, Jupiter’s moon, in the center’s Tranquility Base.

The National Space Centre is about 15 minutes away from Leicester’s downtown. Use public transport in Central Leicester as well as drive. Parking is available on-site for a small fee. This centre is open from Monday through Sunday. A cost is required to access the. Visit the official website for complete details, including information on special events.

Leicester Cathedral

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Leicester Cathedral boasts stunning architecture, artwork, magnificent sculptures and stained glass windows that decorate the interior. It was the burial location of king Richard III and was elevated to the rank of the Cathedral during the 20th century.

The Cathedral’s entrance is via a south porch filled with gorgeous statues of seven people linked to Leicester’s past. In the south door, beautiful wood-carved figures depict those with physical disabilities, such as a back that is hunched.

The Richard III tomb is located between the Chapel of Christ and the high altar of the ambulatory. Since the Middle Ages, it has served as a hub of community life, and prayer services and Christmas choir services are available in this location.

The Cathedral has four chapels: St Dunstan’s, St Katharine, St George, and Christ the King’s Chapel. The west side of the church is an exhibit cabinet that contains the crown worn during the funeral of Richard III.

Leicester Cathedral Highlights

  • Leicester cathedral was founded as a simple church and was elevated to cathedral status during the 20th century.
  • The Cathedral serves as an essential location for worship and prayer. During prayer services, the tomb of King Richard III is not accessible.
  • It is also surrounded by serene Cathedral Gardens, the green city’s lungs.
  • On the northeastern side of the church, on the northeast side of the church, you can see Herrick Chapel, which is dedicated to St. Katherine.
  • Other things you can view in the Cathedral include 14th-century carvings of wood that were afflicted” with a particular illness.

Curve Theatre

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In the middle of Leicester’s Cultural Quarter is this modern theatre, which hosts all kinds of events, from ballets and concerts to stand-up comedy and drama performances.

The Curve Theatre is one of Leicester’s top entertainment venues. Experience contemporary dance shows, independent theatre shows, and live musical performances. You can learn to sing and dance on this page for those who want to become professionals.

The Curve Theatre first opened in 2008 and was officially inaugurated in 2008 by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.

Take a look at the modern theatre that was designed by world-renowned Uruguayan designer Rafael Vinoly. The façade comprises four hundred and forty-eight square feet (46,000 sq meters) in a glass.

The building has two auditoriums, which can accommodate a combined capacity of 1,300.

The performers who perform on the stage in the theatre are part of the theatre’s performing arts ensemble, touring companies, and world-renowned entertainers.

See the adaptations to Hollywood classics, such as Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Enjoy the entertainment of well-known stand-up comedians such as Irishman Ed Byrne, and listen to gospel music. Other shows staged at this venue include interpretations of Charles Dickens’s Oliver Twist, Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre, and Roald Dahl’s The Witches.

The theatre is unique because there is no specific backstage area. When you visit, be sure to watch for actors making their way from the theatre to changing rooms. They are warming up and eating lunch in the cafe.

Workshops and classes are scheduled regularly at the theatre. Learn to sing in the choir Curve Gospel, or take a break from dancing class or ballet. The budding musician can even apply to showcase their or the group’s talents in the Foyer Stage.

In Leicester’s Cultural Quarter, the Curve Theatre is just 10 minutes’ walking distance away from Leicester Railway Station. Drivers pay for the enormous parking area near the theatre. Explore other attractions of note, like The King Richard III Visitor Centre and Leicester Cathedral nearby.

Theatre hours are from Monday until Saturday. You can purchase tickets online or via phone through the theatre’s box office. Go to the official website to find the latest schedule for shows, information about ticket prices, and information on the current workshops and classes.

King Richard III Visitor Centre

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The King Richard III Visitor Centre gives visitors an understanding of the events that signalled the Plantagenet family’s demise and the beginning of the Tudors. Learn about the footprints left by the first people to discover the remains of King Richard III, and observe how the first medieval DNA sequence was created.

Sit on the floor in the place where king Richard III was hastily buried more than five hundred years in the past. You can also attend an exhibition where Richard III’s skull analysis will be conducted.

Get inspired by the remarkable scientific techniques used in forensics which led to the discovery the King Richard III’s remains. Then, explore the various methods used to prove that it was the king who disappeared.

Its King’s Suite is the main attraction in the Visitor Centre and is awash with Victorian style, a tall ceiling, and a hardwood floor that is perfect for receptions, meetings, and conferences. Interactive displays, films and sound create an immersive experience for guests of all ages.

King Richard III Visitor Centre Highlights

  • The King Richard III Visitor Centre recites the captivating tale of his death, life and discovery of the remains of King Richard III.
  • The major renovations were carried out to transform the hundred-and-fifty-year-old building into a cutting-edge visitor centre.
  • Play detective and discover the plotlines as well as family connections and birth rights which converged to tell the tale of medieval crime, chaos and mystery.
  • The King Richard III Visitor Centre offers hands-on workshops that reveal fascinating details regarding the reign of King Richard III.
  • There are many occasions and events, from receptions with canapes to discussions and meetings with experts to private dinners and tours.

Leicester Town Hall

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Leicester Town Hall is one of the best places to visit in Leicester. Look at the intricate work of this historic landmark of the 19th century. Take a guided tour of the grand rooms and enjoy a relaxing time in the tranquil public square.

Leicester Town Hall is one of the city’s most impressive civic structures. Explore this Victorian-era landmark to marvel at its unique layout and take a tour of its grand halls with guided tours of the inside.

In 1876, the building was unveiled. Leicester Town Hall stands on the site of an old cattle market. The building was almost destroyed in World War II when a German bomb exploded through the roof but did not cause any damage. Today’s town hall is a council chamber and the registry office.

Place yourself in front of the main entrance of the building and take in the panoramic view of the façade. Look at the clock tower beautified with blue-coloured railings, handrails, and balustrades brickwork and crowned with a tower.

There are decorative reliefs that feature spots made of Ketton stone, a kind of Jurassic limestone widely used in the construction that is part of Cambridge University. The University of Cambridge. Ornamental iron gates flank the main entrance to the town hall.

Tours with a unique guide of the structure are sometimes available. Please take advantage of one tour to explore the rooms and discover more about its past. Find details about the World War II bombing incident and how architects reconstructed the areas damaged in their original beauty.

Visit the council chambers, courtrooms, and the former cells. You might even meet the Lord Mayor of Leicester. The landmark in front is the trees-lined Town Hall Square. You can sit on a bench as wedding parties pose for photos.

Please look at the bronze fountain in the centre of the square and its lion-themed statues. Lion figures are also adorning the posts of the square’s fence. The court also houses the Boer War Memorial engraved with the names of the local soldiers.

Locate Leicester Town Hall in the south of Leicester’s central city. Some of the city’s most popular tourist attractions, like Leicester Cathedral and the Guildhall, are just a 5-minute walk from the hall. Buses run near the entrance. If you’re driving, park in nearby shopping centers like Haymarket Shopping Centre and Highcrosss Leicester. Guided tours are offered periodically. Look online for more details.

The Guildhall Museum

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The Guildhall Museum is the oldest of Leicester’s historic buildings, dating to the 14th century. Through the years, it has served as the town hall library, police station, police station, and prison. The museum was also robbed and assaulted by Royalists in the 1640s during the English Civil War.

The audience is treated to plays and comedy performances, musical performances, exhibitions and craft fairs within a unique ambience inside the museum. Walking through the prison zone makes it possible to look inside cells and see disturbing torture equipment.

The museum is a stunning location for civil weddings, civil ceremonies, and the ceremony of naming. A fascinating fact to note is that this museum may be the most haunted structure in Leicester.

While you’re there, be on the lookout for any paranormal activity in the gorgeous Great Hall, the old police cells, and the Mayor’s Parlour with the reconstruction of the gibbet.

Guildhall Museum Highlights:

  • The Guildhall Museum is one of the most well-known tourist attractions in Leicester. It has exhibits on acting arts, law and order, people, social history, as well as architecture.
  • It is also home to The medieval Leicester galleries and The White Rose Cafe.
  • The Guildhall is a popular venue today. The Guildhall is a stage that draws performers who provoke thought nationwide.
  • It is also a museum that lets you take a trip back in time to learn more about Emma Smith and Crankie Gemmie, Two of Leicester’s pickpockets.
  • Literary enthusiasts would be pleased to learn that Shakespeare was performed in the city during the Tudor time.

Athena Conference Centre

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Some top regional events and conferences are held at the Athena Conference Centre. Find out its schedule and look for any exciting events there. Athena Conference Centre is located in Leicester City Centre.

After you’ve visited the venue for conferences and events, Why not explore what else this location offers? Highcrosss Shopping Centre is one fascinating place close by.

Abbey Pumping Station Museum

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Abbey Pumping Station Museum is one of the best places to visit in Leicester. From Victorian toilets to Roman pipes, please find out the tale of how the inhabitants of Leicester tackled their most unpleasant issues by visiting the Abbey Pumping Station museum.

It has exhibits on industries, land transport and social history, as well as technology and science, as well as decorative and applied art. The main galleries of the exhibition are located on the first floor. Abbey Pumping Station has a transport shed which houses steam rollers, buses, antique horse-drawn carriages, engines, and several locomotives, including a functioning chip van and Leonard the Bagnall steam engine.

Within the engines, visitors will discover fascinating exhibits about the life of Leicester, including wash facilities and a cinema in the local area tram, and toys. On certain days, visitors can view the steam-powered beam engines, four of which are steam-powered and vintage cars. The galleries consist of exhibition sets, room panels and cases that offer a glimpse of the public health situation in Leicester.

Abbey Pumping Station Museum Highlights

  • Abbey Pumping Station is a science and technology museum created to showcase everything related to sewage.
  • It was established in 1891 to pump Leicester’s sewage into the Beaumont Leys treatment facility.
  • The museum offers visitors the opportunity to learn about Leicester’s scientific, technological and industrial heritage.
  • Outside there are vintage cars, and you’ll hear the four-beam engine burst into the air on days of events.
  • This is where you can learn about the very rare Woolf steam-powered beam engine, the only engine of its kind worldwide.

Leicester City Centre

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The centre of one of the oldest towns in England is a fascinating mix of historic sites, museums and retail. Leicester City Centre is the central point of the biggest town in the East Midlands. Romans established Leicester at the turn of the century 1 B.C. It was the burial location for King Richard III, who was accused of killing his nephews to take the throne.

Learn more about the life of this king by visiting the King Richard III Visitor Centre. The close-by Leicester Cathedral is the site for the burial of the infamous king, which was discovered under an unmarked parking area in 2012. In addition to King Richard III’s grave, among the many highlights of a visit to Leicester City Centre include a tower that has 13 bells that are rung every Sunday morning and Thursday night.

Get acquainted with the city’s centre by strolling its beautiful streets until you get to the city’s most famous landmark, the Haymarket Memorial Clock Tower. The city’s streets are in a variety of directions. Humberston Gate, Gallo tree Gate and High Street offer an array of shops.

Take a trip towards the top of the High Street to wander through Jubilee Square, which once served as an ancient Roman forum and an ancient market. A step further to discover more about space at the National Space Centre. The museum is near the River Soar, north of the city’s centre.

The museum allows visitors to test out an astronaut suit and look around the area of Venus. In the south, The New Walk Museum and Art Gallery have many exhibitions ranging from German Expressionist artwork to Egyptian mummification and one of the oldest fossils.

In the southwest corner of the city’s centre, The kid-friendly Newark Houses Museum is a must-see for all ages. In the past, the region displayed various toys from the Tudor period. Locate Leicester City Centre on the main rail line that connects London and Leeds.

With more than 30 trains running every weekday connecting the two cities, Visitors can choose from various routes to travel through the city. Leicester City Centre is compact enough for a quick trip walking. There are bus routes that also go throughout the town.

The Newarke Houses Museum

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The Newarke Houses Museum is one of the best places to visit in Leicester. The Newarke Houses Museum is positioned in the center of the De Montfort University area. It has the Regimental Galleries that extend the rich history of Leicestershire and its dogfaces.

The gallery was innovated in 1849 and is the first public gallery in the UK. It has a six feet teddy bear who used to be a part of the Leicester toy mart DOMINOES. Through library film, oral histories, and computer interactives, discover the history of Newarke Houses and the central girding area.

An intriguing thing about the gallery is that you can learn about the history of the Royal Leicestershire Regiment and the home front, which is not available anywhere differently in the world in a physical format. You will also find a small room in the gallery that illustrates the story of Daniel Lambert, Leicester’s most notorious native. The gallery also features a fun and safe play area for the little bones.
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The Newarke Houses Museum Highlights;


Newarke Houses Museum is an excellent illustration of an original heritage gallery. It’s one of the stylish sightseeing places to visit in Leicester, with colorful period room settings that depict life at bright times in the megacity.

Inside the gallery, you will find an awful recreation of a 1950s road scene and a WWI fosse. The road scene is inspired by Wharf Street, including a public house and a pawnbroker’s shop.

The gallery’s upper bottom holds the Leicestershire Regiment Museum, which traces the history of The Barracuda troop.

One of the most important shows in the gallery is the ornate Burnaby Shield, presented to the Leicestershire Rifle Levies by General ES Burnaby as an award for shooting competitions.

Conclusion

All destinations are awesome! According to my opinion, Curve Theatre is the best to start. I hope you have enjoyed our list of Best Places to Visit in Leicester.

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Henry
Henry

Hi! I'm Henry. I'm a best-selling travel writer who has been teaching people how to travel on a budget for sixteen years. 

And I'm here to help you spend less on your next trip.

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