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Museums #5 in Leicester

Leicester Museum and Art Gallery

4.5 · 4,499 reviews
A scholarly and peaceful environment
Leicester Museum and Art Gallery, 53 New Walk, Leicester LE1 7EA, United Kingdom
Interesting facts
1

The museum holds one of the most important collections of German Expressionist art in the United Kingdom.

2

The site features a permanent gallery dedicated to the work of Lord Attenborough and his wife, Sheila Sim.

3

Its Ancient Egypt collection includes an unwrapped mummy from the Roman period.

4

The building was designed by Joseph Hansom, the inventor of the Hansom Cab.

5

The natural history section includes a complete skeleton of a Cetiosaurus, an Early Jurassic sauropod found in Rutland.

6

It contains a dedicated gallery featuring Victorian art, including pieces by the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.

7

The museum is situated on New Walk, one of the oldest pedestrianized walkways in England, established in 1785.

Overview

Leicester Museum and Art Gallery is a multi-disciplinary institution located on the historic New Walk promenade. The collection features extensive natural history displays, including a dedicated dinosaur gallery with fossils found in the East Midlands. The art galleries showcase a significant collection of German Expressionist art, as well as works by British artists. Visitors can explore the Ancient Egypt gallery, which houses a collection of funerary objects and mummies. The site also serves as the primary repository for Leicester's local history and heritage. The Victorian building retains architectural details from its 19th-century origins. Rotating temporary exhibitions are held throughout the year in dedicated spaces. The museum remains a center for local archaeological finds and regional geological research.

Photo spot

The ornate Victorian staircase in the central hall offers the most iconic perspective of the building's architecture.

Insider tips

Check the museum's digital calendar before visiting to see if specific galleries are closed for exhibition rotation.

Walk the full length of New Walk after your visit to see the historic Georgian architecture.

Look for the local archaeology displays on the ground floor for insights into Leicester’s Roman history.

What to avoid

Do not mistake this for the King Richard III Visitor Centre, which is located in a different part of the city center.

Good to know

The museum is generally open daily, but specific galleries or the cafe may close occasionally for event setup.

Etiquette

Maintain a quiet volume in gallery spaces and do not touch the exhibits unless specifically labeled for interaction.

Plan your visit
Typical visit
2-3 hours
Best time to visit
Weekday mornings, as the galleries are significantly quieter and easier to navigate than during weekend school holiday peaks.
Address
Leicester Museum and Art Gallery, 53 New Walk, Leicester LE1 7EA, United Kingdom
52.629, -1.128
Get directions
Details
Key exhibitsCetiosaurus dinosaur skeleton, German Expressionist paintings, Ancient Egypt gallery

Frequently asked

Plan for about 2-3 hours to see the highlights.

The best time to visit is Weekday mornings, as the galleries are significantly quieter and easier to navigate than during weekend school holiday peaks..

The ornate Victorian staircase in the central hall offers the most iconic perspective of the building's architecture.

Close by you'll find Curve Theatre, King Power Stadium, Victoria Park.