In this blog post I am sharing some of my favourite things to do in Leicester and Leicestershire. You can get to all these places either by foot or public transport so don’t worry if you don’t have a car. There is obviously a lot more to do than what I have mentioned below, however these are some of my favourite things that I did during my time in Leicester.
This blog post is in collaboration with Visit Leicester and the entries to some of the places mentioned were complimentary, however all opinions stated in this blog post are my own
Space Centre
With 6 interactive galleries and the iconic 42-metre high Rocket Tower, the National Space Centre is a must-visit when you are in Leicester. The ticket costs £15.50 or £12.50 for students and this also includes entry to the Planetarium which is the largest in the UK. It’s about a 30-minute walk from the city centre or you can get bus 303 from the centre to “Byford Road” bus stop and it’s a 5-minute walk from there.
Van Gogh - The Immersive Experience
Situated in the All Saints Church in Leicester City Centre, “Van Gogh - The Immersive Experience” is a 360 degree exhibition which showcases the artist’s life and art in a unique sound and light show. The tickets cost £13 or £11 for students and at the end of the exhibition you can do a VR experience of the artist’s life in Arles, for an extra £3.
Triumph Factory Visitor Experience
Visit the Triumph Factory Visitor Experience where you can get an immersive tour and learn about the journey of each motorcycle, from the initial concept to the final manufacturing.It’s a great way to learn about the company and its culture as well as see some of the famous motorcycles such as the one featuring in the latest James Bond film No Time to Die. The guided factory tour is £20 per person and must be booked in advance. The exhibition is free to visit and you can also enjoy a coffee and cake at the cafe. You can get there by taking bus 158 from Leicester Bus Station to “Beaumont Avenue “ bus stop and then it’s about a 20-minute walk to the factory.
Discover Leicester’s Old Town
Wander around the Old Town of Leicester and learn about the city’s history through the many attractions such as the King Richard III Visitor Centre, Guildhall, Leicester Cathedral, and Castle Gardens. This area is also famous for the discovery of King Richard III in a car park.
Parks, lakes and forests
Escape the busy city life and take a stroll around a park. Leicester has loads of parks and nature locations that locals as well as visitors go for recreational purposes. Some popular places to visit are Abbey Park in the centre, Aylestone Meadows Local Nature Reserve (you can take bus 84/85/87 to “Hampshire Road” and from there it’s a 5-minute walk) and Bradgate Park which is famous for its herds of deer and historic landmarks (you can take bus 125 to “Chaplins Rough” and from there it’s about a 15-minute walk).
Leicester Museum and Art Gallery
Visit Leicester Museum and Art Gallery where you can learn about Ancient Egypt, Dinosaurs, Space, Picasso, Attenborough, arts and crafts, and other galleries. There is also a gift shop and cafe in the building. Entry to the museum and art gallery is free, however a small donation is suggested.
Market towns
Visit Leicestershire’s market towns including the beautiful Ashby de la Zouch, Market Bosworth, Loughborough, Hinckley, and Lutterworth. You can check out the bus routes and times on the bus companies’ websites to find out how to get there from Leicester.
Eat and drink
What better way to experience a city than eating your way through it! From small independent coffee shops and pubs to award-winning international restaurants, Leicester offers a huge range of food and drinks options. There are plenty of vegan and vegetarian options as well as gluten free, so there is something for everyone.
Shop from local independent businesses
From quirky little shops to fruit and veg markets, you can find anything you need in Leicester. Whether you’re looking for a gift or just picking up some food for dinner, you can shop from the city’s independent businesses and maybe even find some unique items.
Walking trails
One of my favourite things to do when I visit a new city is explore by foot, and Leicester is perfect for that. You can discover all its little streets and unique buildings by just walking and looking around. Leicester has loads of walking trails such as the New Walk, the Canal Art Trail, and the Golden Mile, to explore and learn more about its history and culture.
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