Leicester

Travel Guide

Curve Theatre featuring street scenes and theatre scenes
Leicester Town Hall which includes a fountain, an administrative building and a square or plaza
National Space Centre featuring a garden and modern architecture
Curve Theatre featuring modern architecture and theatre scenes
Leicester showing a garden

Historic Roman ruins, multicultural festivals and superb museums welcome visitors to this lively city in central England.

With colourful 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 centre 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 artefacts, 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 centre’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 colourful 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 showing a church or cathedral, a cemetery and a park

Leicester City Centre

4/5(107 area reviews)

Travellers 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
Curve Theatre which includes street scenes and a city

Cultural Quarter

If you're spending some time in Cultural Quarter, Curve Theatre and Athena Conference Centre are top sights worth seeing.

Cultural Quarter
Leicestershire showing a city and street scenes

Glenfield

While there might not be top attractions in Glenfield, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Belvoir Castle and Bradgate Park.

Glenfield
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Westcotes

While there might not be top attractions in Westcotes, you can explore the larger area and discover places like King Power Stadium and Belvoir Castle.

Westcotes

Narborough

Some popular features of Narborough include its bars and spas. If you're in the mood to explore farther, Cosby Golf Club or Grace Road are worth checking out in the surrounding nearby area.

Narborough
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Earl Shilton

The restaurants and shopping are a few reasons travellers visit Earl Shilton. Want to see more of the surrounding area? Mallory Park and Tropical Birdland are a few top sights nearby.

Earl Shilton
voco Leicester by IHG

voco Leicester by IHG

4 out of 5
101 Welford Road, Leicester, England
The price is €79 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
€79
2 Nov - 3 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Leicester. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (700 reviews)
"Air con was great in the room. Only 15 min walk from Leicester O2 Academy. Opposite the Tigers ground."

Reviewed on 19 Oct 2025

voco Leicester by IHG
Leicester Marriott Hotel

Leicester Marriott Hotel

4 out of 5
Smith Way, Grove Park, Enderby, Leicester, England
The price is €91 per night from 26 Oct to 27 Oct
€91
26 Oct - 27 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Leicester. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), 24-hour room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,009 reviews)
"Clean room, presentable and outstanding service right from when you walk in"

Reviewed on 13 Oct 2025

Leicester Marriott Hotel
Novotel Leicester

Novotel Leicester

4 out of 5
2 Great Central Street, Leicester, England
The price is €78 per night from 26 Oct to 27 Oct
€78
26 Oct - 27 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Leicester. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (896 reviews)
Recommend this hotel.
"Staff are very friendly and polite. The Hotel is in a good location and would recommend stopping here."

Reviewed on 12 Oct 2025

Novotel Leicester
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.
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! (365 reviews)
"Parking is 3 mins walk in a multi story car park"

Reviewed on 13 Oct 2025

The Gresham Aparthotel
Cozy Leicester Apartment Retreat

Cozy Leicester Apartment Retreat

3 out of 5
Leicester, England
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Leicester. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and in-room washers/dryers. Popular attractions Leicestershire Golf Club and Victoria ...
Cozy Leicester Apartment Retreat
For Students Only Upperton Rd Studios in Leicester

For Students Only Upperton Rd Studios in Leicester

2 out of 5
2 Upperton Rd, Leicester, England
Stay at this apartment in Leicester. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Walkers Stadium and King Power Stadium ...
For Students Only Upperton Rd Studios in Leicester
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

Reviews of Leicester

3.8
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
79
5 - Excellent 21%
4 - Good
186
4 - Good 50%
3 - Okay
82
3 - Okay 22%
2 - Disappointing
20
2 - Disappointing 5%
1 - Terrible
5
1 - Terrible 1%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Some great pubs and places to eat in Leicester. Blue Boar micropub recommended

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Ive lived in Leicester all my life. I don't know wether in getting older but it gone down hill a bit. Too many homeless and begging on the streets. Its nice its become pedestrianised. Streets could do with being cleaner

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Had a lovely meal at Pho, drinks in the Globe, and felt safe walking in city late at night.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Great city and multicultural

3/5 - Okay

Paresh

Not much to do and takeaways / restaurants closed around 11! Lots of clubs but felt unsafe and dirty

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Lively city. Good for shopping, eating and nights out