Leicester Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Curve Theatre which includes theatre scenes and street scenes
Leicester Town Hall which includes an administrative building, a square or plaza and a fountain
National Space Centre which includes modern architecture and a garden
Curve Theatre showing theatre scenes and modern architecture
Leicester which includes a garden

Historic Roman ruins, multicultural festivals and superb museums welcome visitors to this lively city in central England.

With colourful festivals, medieval landmarks, modern museums and art galleries, Leicester is a vivacious city with wide-reaching attractions. Founded by the Romans, Leicester is one of England’s oldest cities. It’s also one of the country’s most culturally diverse, evident at the turn of almost every corner.

Leicester’s city centre hosts an interesting collection of attractions within walking distance of each other. Visit the medieval Leicester Cathedral, set amid a busy shopping district. Near to the cathedral is the site of a fascinating archaeological discovery. The skeleton of King Richard III was found here in 2012. Tour the King Richard III Visitor Centre that has been built around the site to learn about the excavation and the life and death of the king. Join a ghost tour at the Guildhall, said to be the city’s most haunted building.

See more of Leicester’s history at many free museums. Explore Iron Age and Roman ruins at the Jewry Hall Museum. Relive Leicester’s 20th-century life at the Newarke Houses Museum. See a re-creation of Victorian customs at Belgrave Hall Museum and Gardens. Spot Egyptian artifacts, dinosaur displays and 20th-century art at the New Walk Museum and Art Gallery.

Stroll along the Grand Union Canal to picturesque Abbey Park. Relax with a picnic on the manicured lawns or cruise around the lake on a rented paddle boat. Explore the remains of two historic buildings, Leicester Abbey and Cavendish House.

Visit the National Space Centre to learn about astronomy, the solar system and British space missions via interactive exhibits. Watch space-themed movies at the centre’s planetarium.

Leicester’s multicultural customs are visible in its architecture, cuisine and festivals. Visit the Guru Nanak Gurdwara temple, which also has a museum on Sikh culture. Discover the ancient religion of Jainism at the Jain Centre. Go to Belgrade Road and walk along the Golden Mile to visit sari shops, jewelers and a collection of Indian restaurants. Be part of colourful Hindu celebrations such as Holi and Diwali.

Less than an hour’s drive from two international airports and just a 90-minute train journey from London, Leicester is a great base for daytrips to fascinating English attractions, including Belvoir Castle and Bosworth Battlefield.

Where to stay in Leicester

Leicester featuring a park, a cemetery and heritage architecture

Leicester City Centre

4/5(107 area reviews)

Travellers come to Leicester City Centre for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like Leicester Town Hall and Haymarket Memorial Clock Tower while you're in town.

Leicester City Centre
Leicestershire showing street scenes and a city

Glenfield

While there might not be top attractions in Glenfield, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Belvoir Castle and Bradgate Park.

Glenfield
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Earl Shilton

The restaurants and shopping are a few reasons travellers visit Earl Shilton. Want to see more of the surrounding area? Mallory Park and Concordia Theatre are a few top sights nearby.

Earl Shilton

Narborough

Some popular features of Narborough include its bars and spas. If you're in the mood to explore farther, Cosby Golf Club or Grace Road are worth checking out in the surrounding nearby area.

Narborough

Latimer

While Latimer isn't home to many top sights, National Space Centre and Athena Conference Centre are some notable places to visit nearby.

Latimer
Curve Theatre featuring street scenes and a city

Cultural Quarter

If you're spending some time in Cultural Quarter, Curve Theatre and Athena Conference Centre are top sights worth seeing.

Cultural Quarter
voco Leicester by IHG
voco Leicester by IHG
4 out of 5
101 Welford Road, Leicester, England
The price is £67 per night from 13 Jul to 14 Jul
£67
13 Jul - 14 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Leicester. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (492 reviews)
"The hotel overall was b"

Reviewed on 20 Jun 2025

voco Leicester by IHG
Holiday Inn Leicester by IHG
Holiday Inn Leicester by IHG
4 out of 5
129 Saint Nicholas Circle, Leicester, England
Fully refundable
The price is £63 per night from 29 Jun to 30 Jun
£63
29 Jun - 30 Jun
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Leicester. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,003 reviews)
"Very clean and comfortable. Check in easy. Staff friendly and welcoming. Great position for town center"

Reviewed on 22 Jun 2025

Holiday Inn Leicester by IHG
Ramada Encore by Wyndham Leicester City Centre
Ramada Encore by Wyndham Leicester City Centre
3 out of 5
84-90 Charles St, Leicester, England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is £50 per night from 29 Jun to 30 Jun
£50
29 Jun - 30 Jun
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Leicester. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
"The staff are so friendly and helpful"

Reviewed on 16 Jun 2025

Ramada Encore by Wyndham Leicester City Centre
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Gresham Aparthotel
The Gresham Aparthotel
3.5 out of 5
36 Market St, Leicester, England
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Leicester. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a fitness centre and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9/10 Wonderful! (333 reviews)
"Love this hotel ❤️"

Reviewed on 11 Jun 2025

The Gresham Aparthotel
City Centre Luxury ApartmentSofa BedWIFI
City Centre Luxury ApartmentSofa BedWIFI
3 out of 5
99 Burleys Way, Leicester, England
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Leicester. Enjoy free Wi-Fi and slippers. Popular attractions Leicester Castle and Temples are located nearby.
City Centre Luxury ApartmentSofa BedWIFI
4-guest Charm Home W/street Parking & Wifi & Party
4-guest Charm Home W/street Parking & Wifi & Party
2 out of 5
Leicester, England
Stay at this residence in Leicester. Enjoy in-room washers/dryers and in-room deep-soaking baths. Popular attractions Great Hall and Statue of Richard III are ...
4-guest Charm Home W/street Parking & Wifi & Party
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Leicester

3.8
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
79
5 - Excellent 21%
4 - Good
186
4 - Good 50%
3 - Okay
82
3 - Okay 22%
2 - Disappointing
20
2 - Disappointing 5%
1 - Terrible
5
1 - Terrible 1%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Some great pubs and places to eat in Leicester. Blue Boar micropub recommended

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Ive lived in Leicester all my life. I don't know wether in getting older but it gone down hill a bit. Too many homeless and begging on the streets. Its nice its become pedestrianised. Streets could do with being cleaner

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Had a lovely meal at Pho, drinks in the Globe, and felt safe walking in city late at night.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Great city and multicultural

3/5 - Okay

Paresh

Not much to do and takeaways / restaurants closed around 11! Lots of clubs but felt unsafe and dirty

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Lively city. Good for shopping, eating and nights out

Cities near Leicester