The heart of one of England’s oldest towns is an exciting blend of historical sights, museums and shopping.
Leicester City Centre is the core of the largest city in the East Midlands. Romans founded Leicester in the 1st century B.C. It is the resting place of King Richard III who was accused of murdering his nephews to ascend to the throne. Discover more about the life of this ruler at the King Richard III Visitor Centre. The nearby Leicester Cathedral is the site of the reburial of the notorious king, whose remains were unearthed under a parking lot in 2012. Besides King Richard III’s tomb, some of the highlights of a visit to Leicester City Centre include a tower with 13 bells that sound each Sunday morning and Thursday evening.
Acquaint yourself with the city center by strolling along its picturesque lanes until you reach the town’s most famous landmark, the Haymarket Memorial Clock Tower. Spreading in different directions, Humberstone Gate, Gallowtree Gate and High Street offer an array of stores. Head to the top of High Street to wander through Jubilee Square, which once housed a Roman forum and a medieval marketplace.
Venture a little farther away to learn about the universe at the National Space Centre. Located by the River Soar, north of the city center, the museum offers opportunities to try on a space suit and explore the surface of Venus. To the south, the New Walk Museum and Art Gallery houses a huge range of exhibits from German expressionist art to Egyptian mummies and one of the world's oldest fossils. Just southwest of the city center, the child-friendly Newarke Houses Museum brings to life the region’s history with a collection of toys dating back to Tudor times.
Find Leicester City Centre on the main rail route between London and Leeds.With over 30 trains each weekday between the two destinations, visitors have plenty of options to travel here. Leicester City Centre is compact enough to get around on foot. Several bus routes also run through the city.
