5 Ways to Make Your July Memorable

Today we have a guest blog by Alessia Stokoe who has been undertaking work experience with Leicester City Council. Thanks to Alessia for these great tips!

The sun is shining and warming up the busy streets of Leicester, giving us all the perfect opportunity to get out and about this July. Whether this is taking a trip back in time to Roman Leicester or banishing stress on bouncy castles, there are a wealth of activities on offer to make your July a month to remember!

The  My Leicester App is a brilliant way to bring the city of Leicester to your fingertips – with just a few presses of a screen, you could have a whole day out planned for as little cost as possible. The free app is bursting with offers, trails, events and competitions, perfect for a family day out, seeing friends or just something new to do without breaking the bank.

For example, the full Stomp Round Leicester trail is featured, allowing users to track down the 40 decorated elephants located across the city. Learn more about each sculpture’s backstory, and take part in an exclusive competition, where you could win a £200 Leicester Gift Card for checking in at locations on the trail.

As well as this, the ‘Free Family Day Out’ trail is available, highlighting free attractions across the city centre, and the app lists countless budget-friendly activities, such as craft workshops, live music and where to find delicious street food.  Find parking easily with the ‘Find Cheap Parking’ tool and get a range of discounts on indoor activities for inevitable rainy days.  The My Leicester app is available now on Apple and Android, so download for a summer of endless (and cheap) fun!

Have you ever wondered what it was like to live in Roman Leicester? At Jewry Wall, you can step back in time into an immersive experience, which brings the mysterious ancient world to life right around the corner. Visitors can explore one of the largest surviving Roman bath house sites in the UK and discover over 100 fascinating Roman artefacts unearthed in or near Leicestershire. With advanced digital technology, immersive films and interactive displays, Jewry Wall can whisk you away into bustling bath houses as they were in the 2^nd century city of Ratae Corieltauvorum. Professional artist Scott Tetlow has characterised Roman citizens inside the museum, placing you in the midst of daily life almost 2,000 years ago.

Jewry Wall opens on Saturday 26^th July, so book your tickets now and be among the first to sample this thrilling Roman Leicester experience.

If you need a family day out to captivate kids with a seemingly insatiable amount of energy, then look no further! Fantasy Farm offers a huge variety of activities for children where they can run wild, from 26^th July – 25^th August in Cattows Farm. There are giant inflatables and a Safari Mini-Golf course to burn off some energy, along with sunflower and wildflower fields for a more relaxing adventure. Especially beneficial on hot days, Fantasy Farm offers Water Wars for the kids, where they can take part in water battles in the new soak zone. For animal-lovers, the farm features new Highland cows, which visitors can meet, the chance to feed and play with animals, and even life-sized dinosaurs in a prehistoric corn maze!

Explore the city on foot or by bike at Leicester’s Open Streets Festival. On Sunday 27^th July, between 1pm – 4pm, Open Streets will team up with Art Reach as part of their Re/Action Festival. Leicester’s city centre will be transformed into a lively, vibrant bubble of fun, with activities located across Town Hall Square, Clock Tower and Gallowtree Gate. Visitors will be enthralled by daring BMX stunts from Danny Butler, a Dr Bike workshop, rickshaw rides, a group cycle through the city and live Samba music from the roaming Sambando band.

Barefoot Festival is back with a bang at Cattows Farm, with a mission to promote sustainability and the love of nature. Enjoy the diverse range of activities on offer from 25^th – 28^th July, including capoeira and Bollywood dancing, shamanic drumming circles and hula hooping. Visitors craving creativity can do some arts and crafts, whilst those looking for relaxation can get involved with yoga, sound baths and breathing ceremonies. There’s something avaliable for all ages; kids can take part in the forest school and bushcraft area, and there’s plenty for Barefoot Babies to do too. Once night envelops the Farm in darkness, Cabaret performers, live bands and DJs will keep the party going for many spectacular hours of fun!