A LOCALS GUIDE TO HISTORIC LEICESTER: INCREDIBLE HERITAGE OVER THE TIMES

Leicester also known back in the Roman days as Ratae Corieltauvorum is a city steeped deep in history and not just known for its Roman walls and baths but far more including it’s connection and last resting place of King Richard III, the last plantagenate king. Leicester has stacked up some fascinating heritage over the centuries and this guide aims to highlight the areas and architecture that has survived through those times to present day. This guide to historic Leicester is an accompaniment to our ultimate locals guide to Leicester tailored more to those who have a penchant for history and architecture in equal measure. you may even hear about some of the city’s notable famous figures through the centuries!

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Be-lavie Tip: There are over 300 heritage panels that showcase the colourful 2,000 year history of Leicester. They aim to pay homage to the people, places and events of Leicester’s past and present. The panels are all colour codes for specific eras and topics and give visitors and residents an opportunity to learn more about Leicester’s extensive history dating back to Roman times, through the Middle Ages, the city’s manufacturing, engineering and transport history, the Victorian era through to the modern era. Maps are available from the Visit Leicester Tourist Information Centre.

Pre-Roman Leicester

Leicester has been occupied for over two thousand years. Just under two to three metres under our streets, lie the remains of Roman Leicester, which have been discovered through large scale archaeological excavations.

Pre- Romans

The existence of Leicester long pre-dates the arrival of the Romans and is known to have been a settlement of the Late Iron Age, referred to as the Coreltavi. This settlement are thought to have lived beneath St Nicholas Circle and Bath Lane which is adjacent to the River Soar. The Iron Age settlement minted their own coins and also forged trading with the continent, so it’ safe to say that Leicester started pretty strong as a city establishing itself.

Roman Leicester

Since the arrival of the Romans well over two thousand years ago, the then town and now city has been said to have been an important crossing along the Fosse Way. The Fosse Way was a major Roman road, which linked Lincoln to the North East of England with Exeter in the South West of England. Leicester City over the years has had many archaeological excavation projects including the artefacts found under the local shopping centre, The Highcross and The Jury Wall Museum as well as the more recent discovery of the remains of King Richard III in Grey Friars Car Park.

The Jewry Wall

The Jewry Wall, Leicester, is one of  the largest remaining Roman masonry structures in Britain and the only element of the Roman town of Ratae Corieltauvorum to be standing to this day. The wall was built around 160 AD and formed the entrance to the public baths. It later became the guarding wall of the Church of St Nicholas, which is located adjacent to the wall.

Street Location: St Nicholas Circle Leicester LE1 4LB I Find it Here: Map Location I Details: Opening times and entry fares.

St. Nicholas Church

St Nicholas Church is the oldest place of worship in historic Leicester and dates back to the Saxon period. Walking around the churchyard you will see some fine examples of Roman columns and Saxon brickwork. The ancient Anglo-Saxon church dates back to the ninth century and has a square romanesque tower and a gilded rock face but note that there is no spire. It’s an aesthetically beautiful church which sits right beside the Jewry Wall and is only one of five ancient surviving churches in Leicester. It’s one of our favourites to photograph in all weathers as it glistens in the spring blossom but also gives a dark moody vibe when the skies turn grey.

Street Location: 156-140 St Nicholas Walk, Leicester LE1 4LB I Find it Here: Map Location I Details: Opening & times services.

Medieval Leicester

Probably our most favourite parts of historic Leicester are from this age and includes the King Richard III story and the old streets around the medieval part of Leicester such as Grey Friars Friary, Leicester cathedral and The Guildhall. It was around the time of the Domesday book, 1068 when Leicester was thought to have had a population of between 1500 and 2000.

Leicester Cathedral

Situated in Leicester’s old town, Leicester Cathedral dedicated to a Roman Officer who became a Bishop in the 4th century and later a saint. The Church is one of six to be mentioned in the Doomsday book and was constructed mainly in Victorian times. The Church became Leicester Cathedral in 1927. Leicester cathedral is over 900 years old and has recently had a new heritage centre added, which showcases some of the history of Leicester as well as seasonal exhibitions and events..

Today the remains of the Plantagenet King, Richard III are buried in a single slab of Swaledale fossil stone weighing in at three tonnes.

It’s free to visit the tomb and is open all year round however donations are generously received.

Street Location: St Martins House, 2 Peacock Lane, Leicester LE1 5PZ I Find it Here: Map Location I Details: Opening times & services.

Be-lavie Tip: If you’re visiting the city overnight, then we’d thoroughly recommend staying at St Martin’s Lodge, a small boutique hotel right across the road from Leicester Cathedral. You’ll wake up to views of the Cathedral in the morning if you ask for a front facing room. Read our experience of staying at St. Martin’s Lodge for weekend and check availability and rates.

Leicester Castle

Located in the centre of the city, Leicester Castle is thought to be Britain’s oldest surviving aisled and bay divided timber hall in Britain known as the Great Hall. Original timber posts date back to the 12th century.

If you’ve heard of The ‘Green Bicycle Murder’ trial in 1919, the Great Hall in Leicester Castle housed the criminal court for this.

Street Location: Castle View, Leicester LE1 5WH I Find it Here: Map Location I Details: Opening times & services.

St. Mary de Castro Church

The church located in the heart of medieval Leicester and in the grounds of Leicester Castle, it was a place of great importance and wealth and it is thought that Richard III’s father Richard Duke of York was knighted here and Richard III himself attended mass at St Mary de Castro. The church was founded by the first Earl of Leicester, Robert de Beaumont and if you’re a fan of the Canterbury tales, it is thought Geoffrey Chaucer was married here.

Street Location: Castle View, Leicester LE2 7BY I Find it Here: Map Location I Details: Opening times & services.

Turret Gateway (Rupert’s Gateway)

Turrett Gateway is also known as Rupert’s Gateway and was once the entrance into the religious quarter of Leicester, dating back to the 15th century. It gave access to Leicester Castle and St Mary de Castro Church and is a fine example of medieval architecture.

The Turret Gateway was built between 14222 to 1423 from stone, pointed arches and circular turrets really show the gothic style of architecture of the period the gateway was constructed in. Considering it’s a pretty small well preserved medieval building right in the heart of the city, the gateway is fascinating to see and just how long it’s survived the age of time.

Street Location: Castle View, Leicester LE1 5WH I Find it Here: Map Location I Details: Always open but best time to view it is during the day.

Be-lavie Tip: For a view of St Mary de Castro Church tower, stand at the bottom of Castle View, near the Newarke Houses Museum.

Leicester Guildhall

The Guildhall is undoubtedly Leicester’s oldest civic building, dating  back to the medieval times and served as the city’s first town hall. Today it has been given Grade I status and is one of Leicester’s most iconic buildings, holding craft fairs, weddings and can be visited by all. It is possible to take a Heritage Open Day tour of the Guildhall, which we’ve included further down in this article. Note the beautiful wooden panelling in the Mayor’s parlour.

The Guildhall upper floor where the library area is said to be haunted so beware of spooky goings on! Ensure you pop down to the basement cellars to see the displays and holding bays.

Street Location: Guildhall Lane, Leicester LE1 5FQ I Find it Here: Map Location I Details: Opening times and events.

Guildhall Lane & St Martins West

If you’re looking for medieval cobble stone streets, head to Guildhall Lane and St Martins West which both are adjacent to The Guildhall. The both make great photo backdrops with the Guildhall exterior in the background.

Castle Gardens

This quaint park, know as Castle Gardens sits right beside the Grand Union Canal and features beautiful landscaped blooming trees, gardens, picnic areas and walking paths. Castle gardens is also the entrance to Leicester’s castle motte, the first castle is thought to have been built in 1068 on the order of William the Conqueror. Today Castle Gardens is perfect for a little time away from the hustle and bustle of the city and is right beside the De Montfort University Campus. It’s also close to St Mary de Castro Church and Leicester Castle so it’s worth walking around the area a little for a short history lesson and reading the Story of Leicester boards.

Street Location: 20 The Newarke, Leicester LE2 7BY I Find it Here: Map Location I Details: Opening times and events.

Wygstons House

This is Leicester’s oldest house and houses timber dating back to 1490! The house used to be a costume museum for many years, but it’s now renamed to Wygstons House Bar & Restaurant and is now a popular bar and restaurant and still retains original features. Book a table in the restaurant upstairs to see some of the original beams and cosy feel of this building. For warmer weather there is a wonderful terrace outside and it’s a bit of a sun trap!

Street Location: 12 Applegate, Leicester LE1 5LD I Find it Here: Map Location I Details: Opening times and menu.

The High Cross

Jubilee Square in Leicester City Centre used to be the heart of Medieval Leicester and is marked by a pillar known as the High Cross. Now only one pillar remains however there were originally eight of these. You can find the one below located in Jubilee Square.

 

Trinity House Herb Garden

Back in 1330, in this part of historic Leicester, the hospital was founded by the Henry Plantagenet, the third Earl of Leicester and Lancaster. Behind Trinity House is what I call the secret herb garden where plants and herbs were grown for medicinal purposes to be consumed by patients. Today you will find Chives, Spearmint, Thyme, Parsley to mention a few and beautiful lavender along with many other plants, shrubs and even grape vines. The building is now owned by De Montfort University and the chapel can be visited by the public.

Street Location: 17 The Newarke, Leicester LE1 5WH I Find it Here: Map Location.

The Magazine Gateway

The 15^th century Magazine Gateway was used during the reign of Elizabeth I for imprisoning Catholics in the building based on their religious beliefs. The name magazine is because munitions were stored in the building in the 17^th century, during the English Civil war. It is now classified a Grade I listed building.

Street Location: Vaughan Way, Leicester LE1 5XZ I Find it Here: Map Location.

Georgian Leicester

The City Rooms

This building in historic Leicester was built in 1800 was intended to be the city’s first hotel as it is located on Hotel Street. There is a stunning ballroom on the first floor where we held our civil wedding ceremony and reception, and is also used for banquets, balls, meetings and auctions. The City Rooms were once also a house for Barristers. Thankfully it is now used as a venue and hosts a very small boutique hotel.

The City Rooms has four boutique bedrooms making it a small beautiful choice to stay in the city, Check rates and details for a quiet stay in this historical house.

Street Location: 16 Hotel St, Leicester LE1 5AW I Find it Here: Map Location I Details: Website.

Victorian Leicester

Leicester has many fine examples to commemorate the reign of Queen Victoria, not just architecture but a very special lady, that Leicester folk hold very dear to them. Read on to find out more!

The Clock Tower

This iconic City Centre landmark was built to control traffic congestion and was the first traffic island in Britain. It was built in 1868 on the city’s former hay and straw market. The Clock Tower is a memorial to four of Leicester’s benefactors, which have been carved from stone and feature on the tower itself, Simon De Montfort, William Wigston, Sir Thomas White and Alderman Gabriel Newton.

Street Location: 3 East Gates, Leicester LE1 5YA I Find it Here: Map Location.

Be-lavie Tip: When visiting Leicester you’ll here us locals say, ‘meet you at the Clock Tower’ quite a bit and that’s because it’s one of the age old landmarks that people meet up at. Maybe not so much now but growing up this was the landmark that everyone would gather at before parting ways.

Leicester Railway Station

The original station known as Leicester Campbell Street Station, was built in 1840 and Thomas Cook organised his first railway excursions from the station a year later in 1841. His statue stands outside the station complex. The station was named London Road Railway station in later years and the ‘Arrivals’ and ‘Departure’ arches were built to accommodate horse drawn cabs in Victorian times.

Street Location: London Road, Leicester LE2 0QB I Find it Here: Map Location.

Alice Hawkins

This is the local lady that I call a hero! She was the leader of the Suffragette movement in Leicester until her death in 1940. A statue of her was erected in 2018 to commemorate her efforts to give women the the one human right to vote and be considered as equals to men. She also worked at Equity shoes, a Leicester based shoes firm. Alice’s grand-daughters remember so vividly their grandmother saying to them, ‘You must use your vote, we suffered for it’.

Street Location: Green Dragon Square, Leicester LE1 5HB I Find it Here: Map Location I Details: Facebook Page.

Town Hall Square

The Town Hall Square, once held the headquarters for the Borough Police Headquarters and to this day there are police cells in the basement. Now days it houses the Lord Mayors office and the Leicester Register Office, in front of which, you will see many a photoshoot outside in the lion fountain gardens. 

Street Location: 17 Horsefair St, Leicester LE1 5PD I Find it Here: Map Location.

New Walk

Now a long stretch of conservation walkway, New Walk was once called ‘Queen’s Walk’ after Queen Charlotte, wife of George III. It once led to the horse racecourse, which has now been replaced by Victoria Park in 1882. During the Victorian times, the public baths on New Walk were fed by a fresh water spring that is said to have been 90 feet below the surface. The walkway has great preserved Victorian character from its buildings and it’s distinct tree lined path which opens out onto small open gardens with benches. New Walk gives access to New Walk Museum & Art Gallery.

Street Location: New Walk, Leicester LE1 7JA I Find it Here: Map Location.

Leicester Prison (City Gaol)

Leicester Prison opened in 1828 and was designed by county Surveyor, William Parsons to resemble a castle. It is worth a visit to see the castle like turret structure, which has been well maintained externally over the years.

Street Location: 116 Welford Rd, Leicester LE2 7AJ I Find it Here: Map Location.

The Cultural Quarter (Victorian & Art Deco)

Aptly named as this is Leicester’s hub for culture and the arts. The world renowned Curve Theatre is located here, as well as the LCB depot, Makers Yard, Pheonix theatre and many more small art and design start up companies, as well as being home to yours truly of course!

Exchange Building

In our opinion, The Exchange Building is Leicester’s answer to the Flat iron building of New York, is a Grade II listed building situated in the very swanky Cultural Quarter in Leicester City Centre. It was built in 1888 by Stockdale Harrison of Leicester. Today it houses a couple of bars including The Exchange Bar & Real Ale Classroom as well as a hair salon on the ground floor and apartments on the other levels. in fact at one point we actually lived in the building.

Street Location: 50 Rutland St, Leicester LE1 1RD I Find it Here: Map Location I Details: Opening times & menu.

Queens Building & The Pfister & Vogel Warehouse

The Queens Building was built in 1897 to mark the jubilee of Queen Victoria and is Grade II listed featuring Baroque styling. After being used for several purposes over the years, it’s now home to a Rodeo-style bar and restaurant with live music.

Street Location: Rutland St, Leicester LE1 1RB I Find it Here: Map Location.

The Pfister & Vogel building was constructed in 1923 as a leather warehouse and offices for the American based Pfister & Vogel. The four storey building has recently undergone a £1.2 million award winning restoration and is now home to some exclusive serviced apartments.

Street Location: 41 Rutland Street, Leicester, LE1 1RD I Find it Here: Map Location.

L-R: The Queens Building and The Pfister & Vogel Warehouse exteriors

St Georges Church

This beautiful church accessed through the gates in the middle of Orton’s Square had undergone restoration inside and in its grounds of the churchyard. It is now a Serbian community church and worth a peek through it’s tree lined entrance.

Street Location : 21 Queen St, Leicester LE1 1QD I Find it Here: Map Location.

Athena

Built in the golden age of Hollywood, 1938, the art-deco style is quite the iconic architectural statement in the city. It started life as an Odeon cinema designed by Harry Weedon and its main auditorium could comfortably seat 2000 people. It actually hosted the European premiere of local man, Sir Richard Attenborough’s biopic of Charlie Chaplin. Today it is named Athena and is a banqueting hall and events venue and has also hosted the like of Dionne Warwick.

Street Location: Queen St, Leicester LE1 1QD I Find it Here: Map Location I Details: Website.

Alexandra House & Wimbledon House

Alexandra House is a Grade II listed building was once considered one of the finest warehouses in the country and contributed to making Leicester the second richest city in Europe during the 1930s. There are two elephant heads carved on Alexandra House and represent ‘Jumbo’ bootlace brand, which is known globally. The factory was damaged during World War II. My dad actually worked at this factory known as The Faire Bros, founded by Watkin-Lewis Faire in 1890, when he first came to the UK.

Street Location: 47 Rutland Street, Leicester. LE1 1SS I Find it Here: Map Location.

Wimbledon House is another Grade II listed building, which used to be a warehouse and used during the rag trade years and features some of my favourite doorways and gates in Leicester.

Street Location: 21 Wimbledon St, Leicester LE1 1SU I Find it Here: Map Location.

L-R Alexandra House & Wimbledon House

Other Historic Leicester Areas of Interest

Leicester Market

The city’s local market is known to be over 700 years old and more previously been one of Europe’s largest covered markets.

Leicester market has a long standing history dating back 700 years and was named Europe’s largest covered market. has a long history of hosting political rallies and public events around the Corn Exchange at it’s heart. It was even mentioned by Elizabeth 1 in a 1589 Royal Charter. At present, the site has been undergoing redevelopment with the market stalls being moved to Green Dragon Square. Stalls include fruit and vegetables, clothing, hairdressers, a fab falafel outlet, Just Falafel, hardware, electrical and international produce.

There is a portion of the market which is indoors and specialises in local cheeses, meats, poultry and fish which is a great place to source local ingredients from Leicester’s surrounding county and the villages that make it up. It’s a great place to pick up picnic items and head to one of the open spaces to enjoy some casual al fresco snacks. There is no better way to support local than heading to Leicester Market.

Street Location: 2 Market Place, Leicester LE1 5GF (temporarily at Blue Dragon Square) I Find it here: Map Location.

Be-lavie Tip: Gary Linekar worked on his parents stall, Linekar’s Fruit & Veg, here and my family bought a lot of their veg when I was a child from his parents stall!

Abbey Park

Having first opened in 1882 and later expanded in 1932, this beautiful landscaped park incorporates the medieval ruins of St. Augustine’s Abbey and Cavendish house within it’s stunning grounds. This grade II listed riverside park, taking up 32 acres, comprises of Victorian gardens, a boating lake. Outside Peppercorns cafe, is a statue of Cardinal Wolsey, buried in Abbey Church. There is also a sensory garden, Japanese garden, bandstand, miniature railway, children’s playground, all making up centuries old heritage. Abbey park is around a 20-30 minute walk from the city centre.

Abbey Park was known as Abbey of St Mary de Pratis, which translates to Abbey of St Mary of the Meadows. The red brick wall ruins, which are still present in the park are a reminder that this Abbey was once one of the wealthiest in the country. It is also famously known as the resting place of Henry VIII’s Lord Chancellor, Cardinal Wolsey.

Street Location: Abbey Park Road, Leicester LE4 5AQ I Abbey Park Map Location.

The Golden Mile

Walk 25minutes from the city centre towards Belgrave Road, also known as The Golden Mile. This is one of Leicester’s most vibrant and culturally unique places to visit and is also home to the largest Diwali celebrations outside of India. It’s home to Leicester’s Indian community, where many Uganda Asians first came when they were expelled by Idi Amin in 1972. They as well as other Indian Asians have built many businesses here from jewellery stores to restaurants, groceries, music and clothing outlets. We’d definitely recommend a visit. During your visit pop into one of the many restaurants or cafes for some traditional Indian cuisine at Bobby’s, Chai Pani or Sharmilee.

Be-lavie Tip: Belgrave Road was an ancient Roman link road now known for its Indian fashion, spice bazaars, jewellery shops and of course for hosting the biggest Diwali celebrations each year outside of India.

Bradgate Park

Once a medieval deer park, Bradgate Park also houses Bradgate House, once the childhood home of Lady Jane Grey in the early 1500’s and beyond. Today it’s a 30 minutes drive out of Leicester city and a popular spot for walks and picnics in a vast area of bracken filled land. Many deer can still be seen in remote areas of the park along with the occasional peacock.

Bradgate Park is a personal favourite for seasonal walks, this huge, 850 acres of parkland in Newtown Linford provides acres of fresh green space, deer, peacocks and is very rich in history. Infact, it used to be the home of Lady Jane Grey. It’s a particularly lovely spot for picnics in the summer or during the autumn time. If you love autumnal walks then these historic autumnal walks in Leicester.

Street Location: Main Park entrance at Newtown Linford Car Park, Leicestershire. LE6 0HB I Find it Here: Map Location I Details: Opening hours and further information.

Museums

Leicester has a wonderful diverse range of museums to visit in the city centre or located a short walk or bus ride away. .

New Walk Museum & Art Gallery

Dating back to 1849 and was one of the first public museums in the UK, with a diverse selection of geological rocks, the Rutland dinosaur skeleton (very impressive), a section of Egyptology, natural and social history as well as art collections. They also have local artist exhibitions.  

L-R: EXTERIOR OF NEW WALK MUSEUM & EGYPTOLOGY GALLERY. MUMMY TOMB IN GLASS CABINET.

Street Location: New Walk .Leicester LE1 7EA I Find it Here: Map Location I Details: Opening times & exhibitions.

Newarke Houses Museum & Gardens

Displays include a cinema experience, a collection of toys from Tudor to present day and a play area for children to try various games, a cobbled stone street with shops depicting the ones in the city in the 1950s, local regiment history as well as beautiful gardens to the rear.  

L-R: EXTERIOR OF NEWARKE HOUSES MUSEUM & THE HABERDASHERY SHOP RECONSTRUCTION

Street Location: The Newarke, Leicester LE2 7BY I Find it Here: Map Location. I Details: Opening hours & exhibitions.

Abbey Pumping Museum

See collections of industrial, technological and scientific items relating to Leicester at Abbey Pumping Station. The pump house has four working examples of Woolf compound rotative beam engines made by Gimsons, a Leicester engineering business. Visitors can see the beam engines up close and and operational during selected events.

L-R: EXTERIOR OF ABBEY PUMPING STATION & ENGINE ROOM.

Street Location: Corporation Rd, Leicester LE4 5PX I Map Location I Details: Opening hours & exhibitions.

Be-lavie Tip: The museums listed above are all free to visit however donations are very much appreciated.

King Richard III Visitor Centre

Across the road from Leicester Cathedral is the King Richard III Visitor Centre. Learn all about the last Plantagenet king of Leicester and how he came to his grisly death at The Battle Bosworth in 1485. It’s quite an interactive experience and a great day out for children. You can also see where they dug out the Kings remains from Greyfriars Friary as this area has been preserved under a glass floor.

They also have all the details about his re internment on the Streets of Leicester and Leicester Cathedral, which I was lucky to be a part of and witness first hand back in March 2015.

Street Location: 4A St Martins, Leicester LE1 5DB I Find it Here: Map Location I Details: Opening hours & admission.

Short of Time: Take A Tour By A Local

Alternatively, if you’re short of time, then we recommend the below walking tour, led by a local that can be customised to your interest for upto 6 hours and has so many tips and recommendations that only a local can provode insight into.

Heritage Open Days

When visiting historic Leicester city, keep your eyes peeled for Heritage Open Days, where the public can get free guided tours of many of the heritage properties in Leicester. The majority are based in the city centre area with a few in the outskirts of the city. We’ve been on quite a few of these personally and find the guides to be very knowledgeable with lots of historical information and its a great opportunity for casual learning in a small group of like minded people. Our favourite Heritage Open Day tours have been the Magazine Gateway, Leicester Castle, St Mary de Castro Church, Hidden Gems of Leicester Cathedral and Leicester Orthodox Synagogue.

Be-lavie Tip: You must book a tour well in advance to avoid disappointment, head to the Heritage Open days website to check dates and book.

Guide To Historic Leicester FAQs

Guide to Historic Leicester Round-Up

We hope you enjoyed this local’s guide to historic Leicester including much of the city’s heritage through the times. Starting right at the Roman era and through to present day, Leicester truly has some wonderful heritage and culture and we’ve tried to capture as much as possibel into this comprehensive article. Whether you’re visiting the city for work or pleasure, it’s possible to incorporate some of the features here into your stay and don’t forget to read the Ultimate Guide to Leicester, which includes a bumper amount more including sporting and theatre venues, more country parks and heritage locations as well as food and drinks guide, based on all of our own personal recommendations in Leicester and Leicestershire.

Resources To Help Plan Your Trip

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