Leicester

Travel Guide
Leicester Town Hall showing a fountain, an administrative buidling and a square or plaza
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 Bradgate Park and Leicester Cathedral.

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 Burbage Common And Woods, a few notable attractions nearby.

Earl Shilton

Narborough

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

Narborough

Hamilton

While there might not be top attractions in Hamilton, you can explore the larger area and discover places like National Space Centre and Athena Conference Centre.

Hamilton

Belgrave

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

Belgrave
Leicester Marriott Hotel
Leicester Marriott Hotel
4 out of 5
Smith Way, Grove Park, Enderby, Leicester, England
The price is ¥11,935 per night from Apr 19 to Apr 20
¥11,935
per night
Apr 19 - Apr 20
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Leicester. Enjoy breakfast, 24-hour room service, and a health club. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,006 reviews)
Friendly Hotel
"Very welcoming reception staff A couple of hours later I had to go to reception and the lady instantly greeted me by my name which I found very impressive"

Reviewed on Mar 9, 2024

Leicester Marriott Hotel
Hotel Brooklyn Leicester
Hotel Brooklyn Leicester
4 out of 5
101 Welford Road, Leicester, England
The price is ¥12,745 per night from Apr 4 to Apr 5
¥12,745
per night
Apr 4 - Apr 5
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Leicester. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (833 reviews)
"Travelled here for a rugby game at the adjacent stadium - what a very pleasant surprise ! Really lovely hotel , superb room and excellent staff - will definitely stay again"

Reviewed on Mar 25, 2024

Hotel Brooklyn Leicester
The Belmont Hotel
The Belmont Hotel
4 out of 5
20 De Montfort Square, Leicester, England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ¥11,944 per night from Apr 14 to Apr 15
¥11,944
per night
Apr 14 - Apr 15
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Leicester. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,007 reviews)
"A lovely stay. Hotel was warm on a cold weekend, comfortable and clean. Good dining options and lovely breakfast. Free parking at the back which was great, in a city centre location. Staff were friendly and helpful. Easy walk into town and 5 minutes walk to our gig at the De Montford Hall. Would ..."

Reviewed on Mar 25, 2024

The Belmont Hotel
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.
Leicester City Apartment
Leicester City Apartment
3 out of 5
26 Fosse Rd Central, Leicester, England
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Leicester. Enjoy free WiFi, a kitchen, and a full-sized refrigerator/freezer. Popular attractions Statue of Richard III and ...
Leicester City Apartment
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! (197 reviews)
"Lovely welcome, big comfortable warm room in a fine old building. No fridge, which seemed odd. There was a kitchen area with microwave after all. But that was the only (small) issue. We enjoyed our two nights there very much. The cooked breakfast was really good and we liked the bar on the ground ..."

Reviewed on Mar 10, 2024

The Gresham Aparthotel
Knighton Villa by JensenLet SA
Knighton Villa by JensenLet SA
Leicester
Stay at this villa in Leicester. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Leicester Racecourse and University of Leicester Botanic ...
7.8/10 Good! (8 reviews)
Disappointed
"The house was nice but the cleaning was not. There was no dining table as advertised - which was disappointing as we want to do a family meal. Also I would definitely not describe the kitchen as well stocked."

Reviewed on Dec 16, 2022

Knighton Villa by JensenLet SA
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 17.647058823529413%
4 - Good
10
" "4 - Good 58.8235294117647%
3 - Okay
4
" "3 - Okay 23.529411764705884%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Dec 7, 2019

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

4/5 - Good

Ken
Jul 31, 2019

Excellent Indian restaurant name Lilu in city center.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Jul 16, 2019

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
Oct 11, 2018

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