See royalty, journey to outer space and sample modern cuisine

Wander the restored old town, admire Victorian and Edwardian streets dotted with listed buildings, stop in at Leicester Cathedral to view Richard III's tomb, or take a bike ride along the tranquil River Soar. There are plenty of things to do in Leicester, thanks to its mix of history and contemporary culture.

A royal welcome

King Richard III is probably Leicester's most famous resident. Visit Bosworth Battlefield to see where the hunchback king met his end and find out all about him at the Richard III Visitor Centre. Finally, view the king's new resting place at Leicester Cathedral, where his skeleton was reinterred after being discovered under a Leicester car park as recently as 2012.

Leicester's top sights

Go back in time at the Jewry Wall Museum, where you can also see the impressive remains of the city's Roman Baths. Then blast into the future at The National Space Centre, where exhibits include space suits, rockets, and meteorites, not to mention the UK's largest planetarium. Next door, the Abbey Pumping Station houses Leicester's Museum of Science and Technology, which displays the city's fascinating technological heritage."

Leicester's waterways

The River Soar and Grand Union Canal provide eight miles of linked green spaces, cycle paths, and wildlife areas for those seeking a little fresh air. Rent a bike to explore some of the city's top outdoor spaces, like Castle Gardens, Abbey Park and Watermead Country Park. A little further afield is Foxton Locks, the longest set of locks in the country. The onsite museum gives a glimpse into the life of Victorian canal workers. The canal-side Bridge 61 Pub is a great place to unwind and watch the boats go by, or you can book a canal boat trip to experience the meandering waterways yourself.

Eating out

Leicester is famous for its Golden Mile, a stretch along Melton and Belgrave Roads filled with authentic Indian restaurants. The most renowned is Bobby's, a smart vegetarian Indian eatery known for its mouth-watering mains and traditional Indian sweets. For locally inspired cuisine, seek out Melton Mowbray pork pies at Walker & Son or try the region's two most celebrated cheeses: Red Leicester and Stilton. Foodies should plan their visits for October, when Leicestershire hosts the Melton Mowbray Food Festival, or April, when the Artisan Cheese Fair gathers the best cheese makers in the country.

Getting around

The attractions in the city centre are easy to get to on foot, especially if you’re staying at our Leicester City hotel. Though the city is well connected to the South via the M1, drivers may find Leicester's inner ring road and one-way system confusing. Leave the car at one of our hotels in Leicester and try a ‘hop-on, hop-off’ bus tour to see the sights.