Leicestershire - 70 Attractions You Must Visit

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About Leicestershire

Leicestershire is a landlocked county in the English Midlands, being within the East Midlands. Leicestershire takes its name from the city of Leicester located at its centre and administered separately from the rest of the county. The ceremonial county – the non-metropolitan county plus the city of Leicester – has a total population of just over 1 million, more than half of which lives in the Leicester Urban Area.

Types of Attractions in Leicestershire

Activities Around

List of Attractions in Leicestershire

1620s House and Garden at Donington le Heath

This rare and beautiful house is a surviving example of a family home which was built in the 13th century and then modernised in the 17th Century, one of the oldest houses in Leicestershire. It was once owned by a relative of one of the Gunpowder plotters, and is now managed by Leicestershire County Council. All the rooms are fully furnished as they might have been at the time and the mixture of original and replica furniture and household objects can be touched and used - with one exception.

Abbey Park

Abbey Park is Leicester’s premier park and lies approximately one mile north of the city centre. The park has a choice of activities to keep the whole family entertained. The boating lake in the centre of the park offers hire of both rowing and pedalo boats – fun for adults and children alike! On a summer’s day, relax and pedal your way around the beautiful lake in the centre of the park, enjoying the sweeping views of serene parkland all around.

Abbey Pumping Station Museum

Abbey Pumping Station is Leicester’s Industrial Museum, displaying Leicester’s very varied Industrial, Technological and Scientific heritage. Situated adjacent to the National Space Centre, the two attractions tell the story of over 200 years of science and technology from the early days of steam and industry to the space exploration of today. With four working steam-powered beam engines from its time as a sewage pumping station, it also houses exhibits for transport, public health, light and o

Ashby Canal

Ashby Canal

Lake/ River/ Ponds

Ashby Canal is a 31-mile long canal running from the mining town of Moira in Leicestershire to the point at which it connects with the Coventry canal in Warwickshire. It is the perfect destination for first-time boaters, more mature boaters, or those looking for a lock-free stretch of inland waterways. This gentle and pretty route is ideal for walkers too.

Ashby de la Zouch Castle

Ashby de la Zouch Castle

Iconic Buildings

Ashby de la Zouch Castle was the purpose-built seat of one of the most powerful men in late 15th-century English politics, William, Lord Hastings. Constructed on the site of an older manor house, two large towers and various smaller buildings had been constructed by 1483, when Hastings was executed by Richard, Duke of Gloucester.

Aylestone Meadows Local Nature Reserve

Aylestone Meadows Local Nature Reserve is an important wildlife reserve in the city. and has been a popular location for the people of Leicester to spend their leisure time. Today it is a quiet oasis in the city, perfect for walking, cycling, picnics, fishing, and boating. Birdwatchers and animal lovers aside, the meadows attracts families and people wanting a quick and accessible escape from city life into a tranquil country paradise.

Bardon Hill

Bardon Hill

1 Day Treks

Mountain Peaks

Volcanoes

Bardon Hill is a former volcano. It is the highest point in Leicestershire and the National Forest, 912 feet above sea level. Due to its prominence, it is visible for many kilometres around. It adjoins Bardon Hill Quarry, a geological SSSI. At its summit are a trigonometrical point and a radio mast. The second highest hill in Leicestershire is the nearby Beacon Hill.

Beacon Hill, Leicestershire

Beacon Hill, Leicestershire

Parks

1 Day Treks

Mountain Peaks

Beacon Hill Country Park is located only two miles from the M1 motorway, just south of Loughborough, in Leicestershire. It is one of the highest points in Leicestershire and boasts spectacular views of Charnwood Forest and the Soar Valley. Covering 128ha, the Country Park consists of mixed woodland, grassland, open heathland, wetlands and rocky outcrops.

Belgrave Hall

Belgrave Hall

Iconic Buildings

Belgrave Hall is a lovingly restored 18th-century former family home that has retained much of its traditional architectural character including original period features and detailing. It was commissioned for hosiery merchant Edmund Craddock and his wife Anne. Later it became the home of William Vann, High Sheriff of Leicestershire. Visitors can explore the surrounding gardens on special event days.

Belvoir Castle

Belvoir Castle

Iconic Buildings

Old Ruins

Belvoir Castle is the ancestral home of the Dukes of Rutland. The family have lived at Belvoir in an unbroken line for almost a thousand years. The Castle visitors can see today dates from 1832 and is regarded as one of the finest examples of Regency architecture in the country. The estate surrounding the castle contains formal gardens and woodland, all with stunning views. The latest garden restoration programme brought the lost plans of Capability Brown to fruition.

Billa Barra Hill

Billa Barra Hill

1 Day Treks

Mountain Peaks

Forests

This 20 hectare local nature reserve, located in the north of the borough of Hinckley and Bosworth, consists of a variety of habitats including acid grassland, which is ecologically significant at a local level. Additionally, there are a number of rocky outcrops of Markfieldite, making the hill a regionally important geological site.

Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre

Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre is a colourful multi award winning interactive exhibition telling the story of the Battle of Bosworth, its place in the Wars of the Roses and the transition to the Tudor age, as well as the re-discovery of the battlefield through archaeological investigations. Visitors don’t just walk through the Heritage Centre’s exhibition – they also embark on an incredible journey through medieval England via films, images and activities in eight hands-on galleries.

Bradgate House

Bradgate House

Iconic Buildings

Bradgate House is a 16th-century ruin in Bradgate Park, Leicestershire, England. Once a magnificent Tudor mansion and the birthplace of Lady Jane Grey, the tragic 'Nine Days Queen'. The 16th-century ruins are nestled in the heart of Bradgate Park, near the village of Newtown Linford in Leicestershire, central England. The construction work of the large mansion was started by Thomas Grey, 1st marquis of Dorset, in 1499, and it was finally finished by his son in 1520.

Bradgate Park

This is the only medieval deer park built around 800 years ago. It provides 830 acres of publicly accessible countryside close to Leicester City Centre. The park's two well-known landmarks, Old John and the war memorial, both lie just above the 210 m (690 ft) contour. Onwe of the iconic location where you can spend some nice time in the middle of nature.

Braunstone Park & Skatepark

Braunstone Park is a large public park located in Braunstone. It covers an area of 168 acres, has two lakes, large open spaces, woodlands and meadows. It has three formal gardens; a war memorial garden, a walled garden and an azalea garden. Its skatepark is an all concrete plaza-style ramp park. The skatepark is made up of a back and forth run with a flat bank and hubba on one side and a flat bank, stair set and hubbas on the other.

Brocks Hill Country Park

Brocks Hill Country Park

Outdoors- Other

Mountain Peaks

Brocks Hill is an established 67-acre country park, which was part of the community providing an area for relaxation and recreation, while promoting rich and diverse wildlife habitats including woodland, meadows, ponds, and community orchard, which are all laid out with access friendly paths. One of the nice trekking destinations and also you can spend a nice time in the middle of nature.

Burrough Hill - Iron Age Hillfort

Burrough Hill is an Iron Age hillfort in Burrough on the Hill, 7 miles south of Melton Mowbray in the English county of Leicestershire. Situated on a promontory about 210 metres above sea level, the site commands views over the surrounding countryside for miles around. There has been human activity in the area since at least the Mesolithic, and the hillfort was founded in the early Iron Age.

Charnwood Museum

Charnwood Museum is a local history museum in Loughborough, Leicestershire, England. This Museum reflects the history and industries of Loughborough and the surrounding area. Permanent displays include: Coming to Charnwood, The Natural World, Living off the Land and Earning a Living. It has a café and a shop and is fully accessible to disabled visitors. It runs many events including art and craft workshops held every school holiday for children, talks, tours and lectures throughout the year.

Donington Park Circuit

Donington Park Circuit

Man-made Structures- Other

One of the most internationally-renowned and historically significant circuits in the world, Donington Park continues to host major national and international events and has benefitted from a multi-million-pound program of improvements from new operator MSV. As well as a famous motorsport venue, Donington is also celebrated as the host of the Download rock festival, which attracts tens of thousands of music fans each year. The venue also holds a wide variety of exhibitions, shows, and other musi

East Midlands Aeropark

East Midlands Aeropark

Man-made Structures- Other

Museums

The Aeropark is both an aviation museum and a viewing area where you can study the preserved planes of yesteryear or watch the modern airliners of today taking-off and landing at a growing international passenger and cargo airport. The museum includes a large number of aircraft on external display and also offers two viewing mounds for watching aircraft arriving and departing East Midlands Airport.

Map of attractions in Leicestershire

Comments

For more information about Leicestershire, visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leicestershire