The park contains the 12th-century Castle Motte, which stands roughly 10 meters high and was part of the original Norman fortification.
St. Mary de Castro church, located inside the park, was the place where Geoffrey Chaucer is traditionally believed to have been married.
The park borders the site of the former Leicester Castle, which served as a major regional administrative center for the Duchy of Lancaster.
The site includes a segment of the historic town wall that dates back to the Roman period.
The Great Hall, visible within the park, was repurposed as a court building for centuries before becoming part of the current park layout.
Castle Park is a public green space in Leicester city center situated on the site of the former medieval castle precinct. The park features the preserved 12th-century motte and the ruins of the Castle Great Hall. It serves as a landscaped connector between the city center and the River Soar. The area incorporates the historic St. Mary de Castro Church within its boundaries. Excavations have revealed evidence of Roman and medieval occupation beneath the current parkland. The park underwent significant redevelopment to integrate archaeological remains with modern walking paths and seating areas. It is positioned adjacent to the Newarke Houses Museum and the historic Castle Motte. The space functions as an outdoor historical exhibit combined with a recreational thoroughfare.
The vantage point looking up at the medieval Great Hall with the tower of St. Mary de Castro in the background.
Combine your visit with a trip to the adjacent Newarke Houses Museum to better understand the local history.
Walk the perimeter near the river for the clearest views of the medieval motte and the church architecture.
Utilize the paved paths if visiting after rain, as the grass areas on the motte can become slippery.
Attempting to climb the steep, protected motte embankments, which are prone to erosion and strictly off-limits to preserve the earthworks.
Respect the archaeological sites by staying on designated paths; keep dogs under control near the historical structures.
