Leicester

Travel Guide

Curve Theatre which includes street scenes and theater scenes
Leicester Town Hall showing a fountain, an administrative buidling and a square or plaza
National Space Centre featuring a park and modern architecture
Curve Theatre which includes modern architecture and theater scenes
Leicester featuring a garden
Historic Roman ruins, multicultural festivals and superb museums welcome visitors to this lively city in central England.

With colorful 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 center 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 center’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 colorful 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 cemetery, a park and heritage architecture

Leicester City Centre

4/5(8 area reviews)

Travelers come to Leicester City Centre for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like Leicester Town Hall and Curve Theatre while you're in town.

Leicester City Centre
Leicestershire featuring street scenes and a city

Glenfield

While Glenfield might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Belvoir Castle and Bradgate Park.

Glenfield
#snow

Earl Shilton

The restaurants and shopping are a few reasons travelers visit Earl Shilton. Though there aren't many top sights in the neighborhood, you can visit Mallory Park and Concordia Theatre, a few notable attractions nearby.

Earl Shilton

Latimer

Though Latimer might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like National Space Centre and Athena Conference Centre.

Latimer

Narborough

Well-liked for its bars and spas, you might stop by Cosby Golf Club and Grace Road while you're exploring Narborough and the surrounding neighborhoods.

Narborough

Belgrave

While Belgrave isn't home to many top sights, National Space Centre and Abbey Pumping Station are some notable places to visit nearby.

Belgrave
voco Leicester by IHG
voco Leicester by IHG
4 out of 5
101 Welford Road, Leicester, England
The price is ¥10,295 per night from Jun 22 to Jun 23
¥10,295
¥12,354 total
Jun 22 - Jun 23
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Leicester. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (488 reviews)
"Very pleasant experience checking in. Very friendly, helpful reception staff. We booked a standard twin room which was immaculately clean. Beds very comfortable and loved the walk in shower. We booked breakfast and it was amazing. Reception even booked parking for us as the hotel parking was full. ..."

Reviewed on Jun 15, 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
The price is ¥10,297 per night from Jun 22 to Jun 23
¥10,297
¥12,356 total
Jun 22 - Jun 23
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Leicester. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
"Excellent service"

Reviewed on Jun 14, 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
The price is ¥8,146 per night from Jun 22 to Jun 23
¥8,146
¥9,775 total
Jun 22 - Jun 23
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Leicester. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
A pleasant stay all round.
"Staff very pleasant, great breakfast, room was quiet and comfortable. An easy walk for me from the railway station. The only slight downside was there was only one small drawer in which to put your stuff."

Reviewed on Jun 10, 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 WiFi, a fitness center, 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 Jun 11, 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 WiFi and slippers. Popular attractions Leicester Castle and Temples are located nearby.
City Centre Luxury ApartmentSofa BedWIFI
Leicester/1bedapart/petsok/tv/wifi/restaurantsnear
Leicester/1bedapart/petsok/tv/wifi/restaurantsnear
3 out of 5
Leicester
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Leicester. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and in-room washers/dryers. Popular attractions Walkers Stadium and King Power Stadium ...
Leicester/1bedapart/petsok/tv/wifi/restaurantsnear
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

3.9
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
3
5 - Excellent 18%
4 - Good
10
4 - Good 59%
3 - Okay
4
3 - Okay 24%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Nice city with more than a few things to do—pleasantly surprised.

4/5 - Good

Ken

Excellent Indian restaurant name Lilu in city center.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

The primary reason for my visit was to attend my daughter’s graduation, so the rest of Leicester and its surroundings were secondary.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

The Belmont Hotel has the potential to be a unique Boutique Hotel. It is situated in a conservation area and very well placed for everything Leicester has to offer. The cuisine - we had dinner - was VERY poor and over priced.

Cities near Leicester