Places of interest in Leicestershire

Leicestershire is a beautiful county at the heart of England. It is a county where you can discover completely unspoilt villages and market towns that actually live up to the name. Leicestershire is for those who love open countryside and panoramic views, as well as those with a passion for English history and heritage. We have a wonderful range of Country Parks and a marvellous variety of other attractions you will enjoy visiting.

Let your mouth water at the thought of our world famous Stilton and Pork Pies! Then there is sporting excellence, together with arts and entertainment second to none.

The town of Melton Mowbray is inextricably linked with the King of Cheese, the most delicious of pies and the richest of cakes.

Head for Tuesday's Fur and Feather auction at Melton Cattle Market and let your mouth water at the content of Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe and the Sausage Shop.

Loughborough's unique war memorial in Queen's Park was built in 1923 and incorporates the first grand carillon installed in Britain. The Belfry of the 151ft tower was modelled on a medieval one at Moulins in France. It contains 47 bells ranging from 20lbs to 4 tons.

A Taste of Leicestershire'

Pork Pies, Stilton Cheese Just look at the variety of places in Leicestershire that you can eat and drink at and also places to shop. From breweries to tea rooms and from toy shops to garden centres.

Whatever the weather you can find somewhere to spend an afternoon enjoying the taste of Leicestershire.

Leicester is a truly vibrant city, a strong regional shopping venue, the place to enjoy leading edge comedy, theatre and the arts and much more

Leicester itself is well known as an important Roman settlement, and evidence of this can be seen at the Jewry Wall Museum near the city centre. Take a guided walk around Castle Park, Leicester's old town, and see the medieval Guildhall, and the Great Hall of Leicester Castle.

In the west of Leicestershire, visit the Battle of Bosworth Visitor Centre, to find out all about the battle that claimed the life of King Richard III. Battle re-enactments and other historic events regularly take place here.

The county boasts many splendid stately homes including the 17th century Stanford Hall and the majestic Belvoir Castle. Medieval jousting festivals are often held at Belvoir, and also at Rockingham Castle near Market Harborough.

Castle Park is Leicester's historic old town; an area of gardens, churches, riverside walks, fine buildings, ancient gateways and interesting museums. It forms the western side of the city centre and was originally the site of medieval Leicester. Today the area has changed enormously, but there are still plenty of things to see and places to visit.

Castle Gardens area
This is the heart of Castle Park and can be reached from the city centre via the subway at the end of Millstone Lane. It is worth taking a stroll around this area, with its cobbled lanes and old buildings. Explore Castle Yard where the Great Hall of the castle still stands, close to St Mary de Castro church. This would have been the castle chapel and Geoffrey Chaucer is believed to have married his second wife here. Behind the Great Hall is Castle Gardens and the River Soar. Explore the gardens and climb the mound where the original castle once stood. You can also join the pathway along the river here - leaflets of Riverside walks can be obtained from Leicester Tourist Information Centre.

Famous People from Leicestershire:

Simon De Montfort
This former Earl of Leicester was the founder of what is now England's parliamentary system. The model parliament was held in Leicester three times in the fifteenth century. Many places in Leicester are named after De Montfort, including the city's main concert hall and one of its universities.

Thomas Cook
The world famous pioneer of tourism lived in Leicester for over 50 years. He founded the modern travel industry here, when he organised the first public excursion by train from Leicester to Loughborough in 1841. A leaflet is available from the Tourist Information Centre giving details of a walking trail around Leicester, visiting places associated with his life. Cook is buried in Welford Road Cemetery.