15 Places To Visit In Leicester

From museums and art galleries to gardens and parks, the city truly has it all. If you’re looking for some of the best places to visit in Leicester,  you’ve come to the right place. We’ve broken down 15 of the best hotspots for you to visit the next time you’re in the city, so without further ado, let’s begin! 

King Richard III Visitor Centre

Location: City centre 
Opening hours: Monday-Sunday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, Saturday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm 
Review: “This place has an interesting variety of exhibits and uses modern technology to explore different aspects of the life and death of Richard III as well as the archaeological project that led to the discovery of his bones.”

If you want a day full of new historical discoveries, the King Richard III centre is one of the best places to visit in Leicester. Richard III’s reign can perhaps best be described as controversial, and if you want to find out why and weigh in on the debate of whether or not he was a good King, the visitor centre is the place to be. You can witness the story of his life through a combination of historical artifacts and 21st-century technology. 

National Space Centre

Location: Belgrave
Opening hours: Monday-Sunday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Review: “Lots to see, some great interactive exhibits. Staff were really helpful and dome good talk.”

For a day out with family or a fun afternoon with friends, the National Space Centre is one of the most fun places to visit in Leicester. The centre has over fifteen interactive galleries and is home to the largest planetarium in the UK. The centre even hosts a number of different events during different seasons so make sure to keep an eye on the calendar and catch any events you may be interested in. 

Leicester Museum & Art Gallery

Location:  City Centre 
Opening hours:  Monday - Friday 11:00 am - 4:30 pm, Saturday-Sunday 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Review: “I love this is located in Leicester. A huge range of exhibits and galleries of local, and national. Really nice place to visit with family and kids.”

As a student low on funds, you may be wondering where to go in Leicester to have a good time without spending too much money. If this sounds like exactly what you’re looking for, make a trip to the city’s museum and art gallery. With free general admission and various art galleries and exhibitions, this is the perfect place to visit in Leicester for students. 

Curve Theatre

Location: City centre
Opening hours: Open as per show timings
Review: “Watched Mamma Mia last night what a show it was excellent the cast were amazing fantastic singers and very well produced well done The Curve”

For film buffs, this is by far one of the best places to visit in Leicester. The Curve Theatre is always packed with an exciting events calendar full of live theatre and musical performances. The theatre is one of the best places to view the local talent of the city and spend an evening soaking up the arts and culture of Leicester. 

Social Climbing 

Location: City centre 
Opening hours: Monday - Friday 12:00 pm -10:00 pm weekends 10:00am -7:00 pm
Review: Wow! What a great place and so different for Leicester! Great spacious, eye-catching environment! Friendly and welcoming front of desk staff, expert climbers on hand to help/advise.

If the thought of rock climbing gets you pumped up, then Social climbing is one of the best places in Leicester for you to visit. Social Climbing is the city’s largest bouldering climbing centre. It is a great place to go to get exercise and is much more fun than your average gym, Instead of doing cardio on a treadmill, work up a sweat scaling a wall double your height at one of the most fun places to go in Leicester.

Abbey Park

Location: City centre
Opening hours: Monday - Sunday 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Review: “Lovely park to spend some time in beautiful trees and flowers did a memory walk on Sunday really enjoyed looking at the wonderful scenery”

Managed by the Leicester city council and located along the banks of the River Soar, Abbey park is a beautiful place to spend a nice sunny day. It is one of the best places to visit in Leicester of you’re looking for open skies and luscious forests. The park opened in 1882 and even includes a couple of different archaeological sites, like the ruins of the famous Cavendish house.  

Leicester Cathedral

Location: City centre
Opening hours: Opens at 10:00 am 
Review: “Enormous and imposing, the Cathedral is a must-see when you visit Leicester.

The people inside are extremely polite, a map is offered for all the things that you ought to see”

The official resting place of King Richard III since 2015, the Leicester cathedral is one of the most iconic places to visit in Leicester. The Bishop of Leicester is officially seated at the Leicester cathedral. The cathedral is located at the heart of the city centre and has beautiful architecture with stained glass windows and a medieval facade. 

King Power Stadium

Location: City centre
Opening hours: Monday - Saturday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm 
Review: “Fantastic stadium tour, fun for all the family, excellent tour guides, so friendly & informative the kids loved seeing behind the scenes and walking through the tunnel just like their football players”

In what can only be described as one of the greatest English Premier League seasons of all time, Leicester City beat all the odds and took home the cup in 2016. King power stadium is their home ground and is one of the best places to visit in Leicester if you want to stand at the very spot where history was once made. 

Newarke Houses Museum & Gardens

Location: City centre
Opening hours: Monday - Friday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, Sunday 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Review: “This museum is free and I would highly recommend it to people visiting the local area. We went here on a whim and it was actually very interesting.”

The Newarke Houses Museum and Gardens are located on the De Montfort University campus in Leicester. The museum, which is made up of two Tudor structures, takes you on a tour of the city’s social past. The museum's structure has a long history dating back to the 16th century and is one of the best places to visit in Leicester for a peek into the city’s history. 

Leicester Guildhall

Location: City centre 
Opening hours: Monday - Sunday 11:00 AM–4:30 PM
Review: “A beautiful location with a lot of history this is by far one of the best places to visit in Leicester.”

Want to feel like you’re transported back to medieval times? One of the best places to visit in Leicester for a full medieval experience is Guildhall. The Great Hall at Leicester Guildhall was constructed in 1390 and served as a gathering place for the Guild of Corpus Christi, an exclusive society of powerful tradesmen and nobles founded in 1343. Leicester Guildhall is a historic structure that was significant during the reign of Richard III. In mediaeval Leicester, this Guild was a strong force and the wealthiest in the town. 

Golden Mile

Location: City centre
Opening hours: Always open
Review: “Really nice place The whole Street was lit with diwali lights. You can find all kind indian jewellery, pan, utensils and many more shops.”

More of a street than an area, the golden mile refers to Belgrave road, the stretch of street that connects Abbey Park Road to the turning for Loughborough Road. If you want to experience a sort of little India, this is one of the best places to visit in Leicester. The area is filled with Indian restaurants, jewellery stores and sari shops and is always beautifully decorated during the Diwali season. 

Bradgate Park

Location: North-west 
Opening hours: Open 24 hours a day
Review: “Wonderful rugged (not too strenuous) walks with views over Leicestershire, and incredibly only a short drive from Leicester.”

If you want large open spaces and bright sunny skies, Bradgate park is one of the best places to visit in Leicester. The park is a little drive away from the city centre, but that's what gives it the freedom of space and makes it a peaceful haven, away from all the hustle and bustle of the city. After a long week of classes a day in the park could be just what you need. 

Phoenix Square

Location: City centre
Opening hours: Open 24 hours a day
Review: “The cinemas are the focus but the entertainers, square and wide range of eateries come together to make Phoenix Square an experience in itself.”

Not only is this area one of the best places to visit in Leicester, but it is also one of the best places to live. Student accommodation in Leicester near the square is extremely coveted because the area is close to many conveniences like grocery stores, shops, clubs,  restaurants, public transport, theatres and more. Even if you weren’t lucky enough to snag a home near the area, you can spend your evenings in this exciting area. 

University of Leicester Botanic Garden

Location: City centre
Opening hours: Monday - Sunday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm 
Review: “​​A pretty garden area with beautiful flowers. Great for outdoor socials e.g. picnics in the summer. Lovely place for photos too.”

If you’re a student at the Univeristy of Leicester, this should be first on your list of places to visit in Leicester. These gardens are beautiful and span across 16 acres of land near the residential halls of the University of Leicester. They are incredibly well preserved and are a great place for a walk to clear your head. Entry to the gardens is also completely free, so there’s no reason not to visit!

St Martin's Square

Location: City centre
Opening hours: Open 24/7
Review: “A beautiful area with a lot to do - if you’re looking for one of the most lively areas in the city, this is it!”

St Martin’s square is one of the best places to visit in Leicester if you’re looking for a relaxed area to spend an afternoon. The charming courtyard is surrounded by one-of-a-kind independent businesses, cafés, and salons, making this calm area a great location to sit and have a coffee with friends, pick up a quirky present, or try on a new look.

That was our list of the 15 best places to visit in Leicester! The next time you’re in the city, try and tick some of these hotspots off your list, and you’re sure to have a great time. For more information about how to spend our time in the city, check out our detailed Leicester city guide and housing guide for tips and tricks. You can also read our blog on cost of living in Leicester.