About Leicester

Leicester is in the heart of England and a modern city. There are two prominent seats of learning – Leicester De Montford University and Leicester University. The city has a population of over 300,000, large enough to make you feel part of a cosmopolitan and thriving community but retaining many of the characteristics of a historic market town. Students make up over 10% of the population during term time. Leicester has a vibrant and youthful feel and is on the national circuit for big name bands, DJs and classical music performances. There is a lively mix of new world cinema, music, dance, drama and sports activities.

Shopping!
The Highcross shopping centre in Leicester has an awe-inspiring mix of fashionable stores, stylish restaurants. There are 120 exciting and inspiring stores, including Ghost, Reiss, Hugo Boss, Apple and more. Plus major department stores: Debenhams, House of Fraser and an iconic, flagship John Lewis, all spread over external street spaces and a spectacular covered mall.

Music, Culture & Entertainment
The Curve theatre - designed by world renowned architect Rafael Vinoly, soak up the atmosphere and energy of Curve Theatre, a visually awe-inspiring building. Leicester also has a vibrant mix of festivals and performing arts taking place  throughout the year... so whether it's music, dance, comedy, world theatre or a "He's behind you" moment you're after  there's plenty to keep you all entertained! Each year Leicester is filled with the sound of music and laughter. The renowned Leicester Comedy Festival which is more than guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Enjoy Summer Sundae and the Big Session festival which offer fantastic musical line ups so you dance the summer away. You can also join in the dance at Leicester's vibrant Caribbean Carnival (and also enjoy some delicious Caribbean cooking!). At De Montford Hall you can catch top acts and stars from the UK & World stage of music and entertainment. The city has several high class night clubs, bars and cafes, traditional English pubs and two Casinos.

New Walk Museum and Art Gallery is situated within the historic New Walk area of the city. In 1849 the Literary and Philosophical Society formally presented to the town its various collections, which have grown and developed over the last 150 years into one of the premier museums in the region. New Walk Museum has been the inspiration for many people including Lord Attenborough and Sir David Attenborough, who pursued their love of art and natural history as a result of spending their formative years as regular visitors to the galleries. Leicester's oldest museum has wide-ranging collections spanning the natural and cultural world. The museum has a coffee shop, and is also a venue for musical performances and civil marriage ceremonies.

History
The Jewry Wall is one of Leicester's most famous landmarks. It is a rare example of Roman walling which has survived for nearly 2000 years. Originally it was part of the Roman public baths. The origin of the name is a mystery though it may have been named after Leicester's medieval Jewish community who were expelled from Leicester by the town charter of 1250. The Jewry Wall is unique in that it is the highest remaining Roman structure in England. Leicester is very privileged to have one of the best-preserved timber-framed halls in the country, dating back six hundred years. The Guildhall has had many uses and lives. The Great Hall of the Guildhall was built circa 1390 as a meeting place for the Guild of Corpus Christi (a small but powerful religious and social group). It was a venue for social gatherings, banquets, festivals and a place for Chantry priests to live. Over the next hundred years the Great Hall was extended and the two wings were added at either end.

Bradgate Park is Leicestershire's largest and most popular country park. It comprises of 840 acres of land with grass, heath, bracken, rocky outcrops, small woods, herds of deer and the River Lin.  The Park also includes the ruins of Bradgate House, the birthplace and early home of Lady Jane Grey 1537 - 1554 (Nine Days Queen of England.) Old John Tower folly, a well known Leicestershire landmark, stands on the ridge of high land.

Eating out
Eating out in Leicester is a discovery of the flavours of the world! Being such a vibrant city its food is exciting and diverse. So if you are ready to experience the flavours of the world, your journey can begin here. You will find a restaurant or cafe serving every type of food to suit any diet – we haven’t heard of any one that hasn’t been able to.

Travel
After all this you still want to go further?  Well, where would you like to go? London? Paris? Edinburgh? 
Watch Manchester United play? 

Leicester is a main station on the London railway line, in just over an hour you can be in one of the most talked about cities in the world.  From Leicester you can travel, again by train to Paris in just over 4 hours or to Edinburgh the capital of Scotland in about the same.

There are two international airports within 40 minute drive time and some of the largest national country parks a short train or car journey away and  Old Trafford – the theatre of dreams , just  a couple of hours away.

 

 

 

 

Or if you want to stay closer to home Leicester is home to the internationally famous rugby union team ‘The Leicester Tigers’.