12 things you couldn’t do in Leicester but can now!

As we enter the New Year we’ve been taking stock and looking at the things you can do in Leicester that just weren’t possible only 20 years ago. There’s so much happening in the city, so many new things to do and we wanted to highlight some of our unique experiences and attractions!

Ever fancied going bouldering or rock climbing? Well you can, right in Leicester City Centre! Social Climbing Leicester is a top quality climbing attraction. There’s no need to book, just rock up for an adrenaline pumping climbing experience. It involves climbing without ropes up to a height of 4.5 metres. It’s all perfectly safe (soft crash mats to cushion your falls) and loads of fun, with expert staff on hand to help you through it.

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While Leicester has a rich theatrical history thanks to luminaries like Lord Richard Attenborough and Joe Orton, it was only with the addition of the Curve Theatre that Leicester was able to host shows on a West End scale. With a flexible space, huge stage and incredible home-grown productions, this is the place to see the stars of the stage, and sometimes even the silver screen. Spiderman himself Tom Holland has been seen in the audience a few times recently. This year’s upcoming shows include The Percy Jackson Musical, Mamma Mia, The Silence of the Lambs and Barnum.

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Looking for an epic mini-golf adventure? Treetop features two fantastic 18 hole indoor courses where you will meet characters, interact with challenging obstacles and make your way round the Rainforest. Meet chattering Toucans, hear barbershop frogs and dodge stalagmites in the Tropical Trail. Then meet the Sacred Mask and Sleepy Head before paying your respects to Mabel the Monkey Queen on the Ancient Explorer course. There’s also tasty jungle grub from Pizza Cabana, tropical cocktails, beers or freshly roasted coffee.

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In a small area of Leicester’s High Street there has been an explosion of Chinese, Korean and Japanese eateries, turning this into a ‘Little Asia’. Traditional Korean BBQ tastes at Oppa, Japanese flavours at Wakaze, traditional Chinese meals from Imperial Leicester, top noodle and rice-based street food from Chinese Snack Box, then bento, sushi and sashimi in the luxurious cherry blossom-festooned surroundings of Sakura. Then across the road you can tuck into Vietnamese Street Food at Pho! You’re spoilt for choice with this range of eastern flavours.

The LCB Depot is at the heart of Leicester’s creative community and hosts hundreds of independent creative businesses under one roof. On the last Friday of every month they hold the aptly named Last Friday, which is open to everyone! For just £1 you can experience live music, live comedy and there’s loads of great street food on offer too. The event is family and dog friendly and also includes ever changing art exhibitions and pop-up shops. It really is the best way to spend a Friday night!

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The Phoenix has long been Leicester’s leading independent cinema, but far from the one screen showing selected independents, they have recently expanded to a four screen art cinema complex, giving you even more choice. Whether it’s the latest blockbusters, independent and foreign films, or specially curated festivals covering everything from Japanese kaiju films to kids classics, you’ll be spoilt for choice. You can also grab a great meal in their restaurant and enjoy their constantly changing free arts exhibitions, not to mention live music and comedy too!

Check out the Phoenix here

The discovery of King Richard III in 2012 made headlines around the world, and the city responded quickly by creating the King Richard III Visitor Centre so visitors could discover the incredible story of his life, death and rediscovery after more than 500 years! With his reinterment in Leicester Cathedral in 2015, Leicester has become one of only a few locations outside London where you can visit the tomb of an English Monarch.

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One of Leicester’s newer additions, and promising a fantastic party night out, Roxy Ballroom offers drinks, food and pub games. American pool, cricket batting cages, ice-free curling, Tech darts, crazy pool, deck shuffle, ten pin bowling and more, just take your pick of these fantastic activities. Or you could pop in for food and drinks and take in the atmosphere in their sports bar, maybe ending the night in one of their private karaoke booths.

Start your night out here

Unleash your inner Viking and take out that stress in a safe environment with a spot of axe throwing! At Game of Throwing, pick up your weapon in a safe and controlled environment and test your arm in a range of interactive games. Expert instructors are on hand to help you perfect your aim. If you still need to vent then step into one of their Rage Rooms for a smashing time!

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With the certified ‘biggest cheese pull in the city’, Dough What has been a fantastic addition to the city, claiming to be the only place in the region to serve both Neapolitan and Chicago style deep pan pizza. And they are delicious! Second only to their pizza dough pasta bowls, where everything is edible and lip smackingly good! Everything, including the dough, is freshly made on site and they’re the number one rated pizza spot on Trip Advisor for good reason.

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The most fun you can have in a tiny room, Escape Leicester offer a range of different experiences for groups who are looking to tax their brains. You have 60 minutes to try and get out of a themed rooms with magic castles, alien adventures and horrific abandoned cabins to challenge you. Pop along to their Market Street home for your next night out!

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While many hark back to the days of Granby Halls, nowadays Spin Pin is here to fill your skating needs. Their spacious indoor rink allows you to get your skates on and have fun with a range of different sessions, parties and disco events. They also have a ten pin bowling alley and arcade area including a VR machine. Top old school fun!

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