CITY 

Introduction:

 Leicester is the county town of Leicestershire and is located in the East Midlands. Lying on the River Soar, adjacent to the National Forest, the city has a current population of 330,000. 

Brief History: 

The Romans built a fort and lived in the area for a few years and after they left the town ceased to exist until the Saxons arrived in the 9th century. The Saxons were followed by the Danes and many local names derive from that period. By the tenth century a Bishop was installed and a mint introduced. 

Medieval Leicester was ruled by Earls, the most famous being Simon De Montfort who banished all Jews from the town. At that time wool and leather were the main industries and a market was introduced. The merchants formed Guilds who eventually took over running of the town and from 1464 the town had a corporation and a mayor. 

In 1500 the population was 3000 and a grammar school was built in 1545. The town continued to grow during the next two centuries despite ten outbreaks of the plague. The Royalists took the city in the Civil War but were eventually defeated at the Battle of Naseby. 

Leicester is famous for its hosiery trade which was established in the late 17th century. From 1760 the town began to develop rapidly and new industries such as engineering appeared with the Industrial Revolution. From this time the trappings of expanding towns brought all the civic amenities. Gas lighting, parks, police, library, town hall, electricity all arrived during the 19th century. 

The railways arrived in 1832 and the town expanded into the surrounding villages to enlarge the area greatly. 

In 1919  city status was granted and a cathedral was built. The Palace Theatre, hospital, trams, buses, cinemas all followed. 

After WW2 immigrants began to arrive from Eastern Europe, West Indies and Uganda. Hosiery remained an important industry, alongside metal, pharmaceuticals and food processing. The University of Leicester, De Montfort University and Retail became important by the millennium and the city continues to thrive.     

Things to Do: 

New Walk Museum and Art Gallery:-  Located in New Walk, LE1 7EA, and opened in 1849, the museum contains a wide range of collections including Dinosaurs, Ancient Egypt, Picasso Ceramics, Victorian Art Collection etc. Open all week until 5pm entrance is free except for some special exhibitions.

There is a small amount of free onsite parking and pay and display on adjacent roads. There is also a museum shop and café. 

National Space Centre:

This centre contains the UKs largest domed planetarium (Sir Patrick Moore) and the Rocket Tower which stands 42 metres high, plus six other inspiring galleries. These exhibitions are Tranquility Base, Space Now, Orbiting Earth, The Planets, Exploring the Universe and Into Space.

There is a shop and café and the centre is located on Exploration Drive, LE4 5NS.  Further information can be obtained at www.spacecentre.co.uk . 

The Guildhall:

Over six hundred years old the Guildhall is one of the best preserved timber frame buildings in the country.

At the end of the 14th century the Corporation started using the building and in 1548 purchased same. Afterwards the hall was used as a library, courtroom, banquets and civic events.

Latterly, the council out grew the Guild Hall and a new Town Hall was built. In 1926 a major renovation saw the hall become a museum.

The building is located in Guildhall Lane,, LE1 5FQ. Further information can be found by emailing:-  museums@leicester.gov.uk . 

National Gas Museum:

The museum is the world’s largest devoted to the gas industry. You can learn how gas was produced from coal and see old examples of domestic cookers, fires and lighting. Also weird appliances such as a gas radio and gas hairdryer are on show. There is also a 1920’s kitchen fitted out with appliances of the decade.

Entry is free and there is free parking. The museum is located on Aylestone Road, LE2 7QJ and further information can be found on www.nationalgasmuseum.org.uk . 

Leicester Cathedral:

The Cathedral Church of St. Martin became a cathedral in 1927 and is the seat of the Bishop of Leicester. The city has had a church dedicated to St. Martin from 1086 when the Saxons built one. This was replaced by a Norman building and the current cathedral is a Victorian restoration. The remains of King Richard III, killed at the battle of Bosworth Field in 1845, were found at Greyfriars in Leicester and they are now interned in the cathedral. The Cathedral is located in Peacock Lane, LE1 5PZ and further information found at  www.leicestercathedral.org . 

Newarke Houses Museum:

This museum located in two historic houses, show life in contemporary Leicester and is home to the history of the Royal Leicestershire Regiment.

There is a 1950s street scene, a display of toys from the Tudor period up to today and a cinema experience.

As well as the Regiment history there is the story of Leicester at War and a recreation of a WW1 trench featuring sound and lighting.

The gardens show the development of the English garden over the past thousand years and can be used for picnics.

The museum can be found at The Newarke, LE2 7BY and open all year until 5pm except for Christmas and New Year periods. 

Sport:

As well as Premiership football, the city also hosts a major Rugby Union Club and County Cricket.. 

Night Life:

With approximately twenty five bars and night clubs concentrated in the LE1 area of the city a good night out is guaranteed. Among the venues are Bistro Live, Club Republic and Venom. Like clubs in all city centres new ones open and old ones shut. Check out www.visitleicester.info for an update.   

There are also a few gay pubs, clubs and saunas. 

Curve:

Is a theatre located in Rutland Street, LE1 1SB and is a great place for drama, musicals, dance, comedy etc. It is close to the bus station, railway station and nearby parking is good. To check its programme of events, or to make a booking,  visit the website or call 0116 242 3595. 

De Montfort Hall:

Opened in 1913 this has been Leicester’s largest live music venue since. As well as popular productions there is a Philharmonia Orchestra season. The Hall is based on Granville Road, LE1 7RU and can be contacted on 0116 233 3111. 

Other similar organizations are Little Theatre and International Arts Centre. 

Cinemas:

Screens are operated by Odeon, Vue, Showcase, Phoenix and Piccadilly and spread throughout the city. 

Eating Out:

With its ethnic population it is taken that there is a varied ethnic range of menus in the restaurants and cafes. British, European, Indian, Chinese, Middle Eastern are all available. As well as individual restaurants and cafes there are also outlets in shopping malls and good city pub grub. Surrounding villages offer a good alternative in their traditional watering holes.   

Shopping:

As expected in a major city the shopping experience is diverse. Department stores John Lewis is based in the city centre. Then there are the major malls, Highcross and Haymarket, which house the expected national chains.

The city centre streets contain quality small independent boutiques and specialist shops and Leicester Market, with 700 years of history and famous for the Lineker family connection, is a must destination. 

Accommodation:

With many hotels and guest houses the city is not short of accommodation and the range is from 4 star International and National chains down to local boutique hotels and guest houses.

Many pubs, of course, also offer rooms. 

Transport: 

Buses:

There are two main bus companies serving Leicester. Arriva are based in St. Margaret’s Bus Station, in Gravel Street, and First Group, who absorbed Leicester City Buses, run services from Haymarket Bus Station and different stops in the city.

National Express and other coach companies run services nationally from the bus station. 

Railway:

Leicester Station located in Fox Street, LE2 0QB, is run by East Midlands Railway. Leicester lies on the London St. Pancras to Kettering, Leicester and Nottingham or Derby/ Sheffield routes. Cross Country trains run from Birmingham to Peterborough via Leicester. The rest of the UK can be linked by using major railway hub connections. 

Air:

London Luton and London Stansted Airports can be accessed by rail from Leicester. Birmingham and East Midlands Airports are more easily accessible by road. 

Taxis:

Seven taxi firms run services in the city.