- Leicester is one of the oldest cities in England, with roots dating back to the Iron Age and a significant history as the Roman settlement Ratae Corieltauvorum.
- The city is home to one of the largest annual Diwali celebrations outside of India, reflecting its diverse multicultural demographic.
- The world's first package tour was organized by Thomas Cook in 1841, starting from Leicester to Loughborough for a temperance meeting.
- Leicester was the site of the first ever televised weather forecast in the UK, broadcast from the city in 1954.
- The city has been a major center for the textile industry since the Industrial Revolution, particularly for hosiery and footwear manufacturing.
About Leicester
Leicester is a historic East Midlands city that gained international attention following the 2012 archaeological discovery of King Richard III's remains, which are now interred within the Leicester Cathedral [41056]. The city serves as a hub for science and technology, anchored by the iconic rocket tower at the National Space Centre [31074]. Residents and visitors frequent expansive green spaces like Victoria Park [36661] and the expansive Watermead Country Park [125385]. The cultural sector is spearheaded by the architecturally striking Curve Theatre [31074], located in the heart of the city's Cultural Quarter.
Highlights of Leicester
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Museums
Explore the UK's largest planetarium and a dedicated space museum featuring an iconic 42-metre high rocket tower.
Venues
Visit the home ground of Leicester City Football Club, site of their historic 2016 Premier League title win.
Venues
Experience world-class drama and dance productions inside this landmark building designed by Rafael Viñoly.
Parks
Enjoy a large public park featuring the historic Arch of Remembrance designed by Edwin Lutyens.
Museums
Browse an extensive collection of German Expressionist art alongside local archaeology and natural history exhibits.
Temples
Pay respects at the final resting place of King Richard III within the historic cathedral precinct.
Parks
Explore extensive lakes and wetland habitats ideal for birdwatching and scenic waterside walks.
Parks
Walk through this vast floodplain nature reserve known for its diverse wildlife and river scenery.
Top things to do in Leicester
The 318 highest-rated places in Leicester, ranked by travellers.
1
Parks
Bradgate Park is an 830-acre medieval deer park in Leicestershire that features the ruins of a 16th-century mansion, the...
2
Museums
The National Space Centre is the United Kingdom’s largest visitor attraction dedicated solely to space science and astro...
3
Venues
King Power Stadium serves as the home ground for Leicester City Football Club, boasting a capacity of approximately 32,2...
4
Parks
Abbey Park is a 89-acre Victorian-style public space bisected by the River Soar in Leicester. The site preserves the rui...
5
Historical places
Foxton Locks is the longest and steepest staircase flight of locks on the English canal system, consisting of 10 locks d...
6
Natural attractions
Tropical Birdland is a specialized sanctuary in Leicestershire dedicated to the conservation and display of exotic parro...
7
Venues
Curve Theatre is a landmark cultural hub in Leicester's Cultural Quarter, distinguished by its innovative, open-plan des...
8
Parks
Victoria Park is a 69-acre public green space located in Leicester, primarily known for the Edwin Lutyens-designed War M...
9
Museums
Leicester Museum and Art Gallery is a multi-disciplinary institution located on the historic New Walk promenade. The col...
10
Venues
Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium is the largest purpose-built club rugby union stadium in England, serving as the hom...
11
Museums
The Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre marks the site of the 1485 Battle of Bosworth, the final major engagement of th...
12
Parks
Knighton Park is a 30-hectare Green Flag awarded public space located in southern Leicester. It features expansive matur...
13
Parks
Aylestone Meadows is the largest local nature reserve in Leicester, encompassing over 140 acres of floodplain wetland, g...
14
Parks
Spinney Hill Park is a 34-acre Victorian-era public park located in the Highfields area of Leicester. The park is situat...
15
Parks
Western Park is a 69-hectare public park located in the West End of Leicester, serving as one of the city's largest gree...
16
Historical places
The Clock Tower in Leicester is a mid-Victorian Gothic structure serving as a central meeting point and a major navigati...
17
Temples
Leicester Cathedral is the resting place of King Richard III, whose remains were reinterred in a bespoke tomb here in 20...
18
Parks
Castle Park is a public green space in Leicester city center situated on the site of the former medieval castle precinct...
19
Parks
Braunstone Park is a 127-acre municipal green space in Leicester featuring two distinct ornamental lakes. The park serve...
20
Museums
The Guildhall Museum is one of the oldest timber-framed buildings in England, dating back to approximately 1390. Origina...
21
Parks
Bede Park is a public green space situated along the River Soar in Leicester. It serves as a primary outdoor recreation...
22
Parks
Watermead Country Park is a 145-acre nature reserve situated in the Soar Valley, established on reclaimed gravel pits. T...
23
Places of interest
Town Hall Square in Leicester serves as the city's primary civic focal point, dominated by the Victorian Gothic Town Hal...
24
Venues
The Little Theatre is a volunteer-run performing arts venue in Leicester, managed by the Leicester Drama Society. Establ...
25
Temples
Masjid Umar is a prominent Islamic center located on Evington Drive in Leicester, featuring a large dome and traditional...
26
Temples
The Islamic Centre Leicester, located on Conduit Street, serves as a primary hub for the local Muslim community in the H...
27
Zoos
Gorse Hill City Farm is a community-run facility located in Leicester that focuses on providing an interactive experienc...
28
Museums
Newarke Houses Museum is located within two Grade II listed 17th-century buildings, Wygston’s Chantry House and Skeffing...
29
Parks
Evington Park is a 45-acre historic green space located in the former grounds of Evington House. It features a mix of ma...
30
Parks
Humberstone Park is a large municipal green space located in the East End of Leicester, featuring expansive lawns, matur...
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Leicester on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Leicester
Late spring to early autumn (May to September) offers the most pleasant weather for exploring the city's numerous parks and outdoor spaces.
2-3 days, providing sufficient time to explore the city centre museums, the cathedral, and regional nature reserves.
The city centre is compact and highly walkable, supplemented by an extensive local bus network and cycle-friendly infrastructure.
Stay in the City Centre or the Cultural Quarter for proximity to major landmarks, theatres, and dining options.
Leicester is generally considered a mid-range destination, offering accessible pricing for dining and museum entry compared to larger UK capitals.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 318 curated attractions in and around Leicester, ranked by traveller ratings.
Bradgate Park is the highest-rated place to visit in Leicester right now.
The largest category is temples, with 196 places to explore.
Travellers also explore London, North Kensington, Manchester.
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Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
