20 Characterful Pubs
Leicestershire is home to some of England’s most characterful pubs. Many are genuine national treasures – living, breathing historical exhibits. They tell tales of ancient times, their age enhancing the present. And at the same time, they provide that uniquely British form of hospitality: pub conviviality – a lulling, laid-back environment, friendly chatter, beautiful beers, delicious food, characterful setting.
Leicestershire is home to some of England’s most characterful pubs. Many are genuine national treasures – living, breathing historical exhibits. They tell tales of ancient times, their age enhancing the present. And at the same time they provide that uniquely British form of hospitality: pub conviviality – a lulling, laid-back environment, friendly chatter, beautiful beers, delicious food, characterful setting.
The county’s historical gems are many – pubs such as The Anne of Cleves in Melton Mowbray – built in 1384 for priests who ministered to local lepers, later gifted to Anne of Cleves in her divorce settlement.
Then there’s Wygston’s House – the former dwelling of Roger Wygston, Mayor of Leicester in 1472. Or how about The Lancaster Arms in Newtown Unthank – believed to occupy the site where Richard III rested his army before Bosworth Field? And don’t forget The Baker’s Arms in Blaby, dating back to 1485 and full of nooks, crannies and warped wood beams.
Then there are village inns where you can soak up the quintessential pub experience – the thatched Blue Bell at Hoby with its pretty beer garden and old skittles alley. And The Star at Thrussington: built in 1744, it watches over the village green like a gnarled army general.
Leicester’s traditional pubs are equally memorable: The Knight & Garter combines history with sophistication. And The Globe, pulling pints since 1720, is the place where Nathanial Corah founded his Corah hosiery company in 1815, which went on to become the largest knitwear producer in Europe.
Finally, there are gastropubs specialising in exceptional cooking: award-winners like The Stag & Hounds at Burrough on the Hill, The Swan at Shawell and The Baker’s Arms in Thorpe Langton.
Hercules Revived
Hercules Revived is a classic 17th-century English country coaching inn near Bosworth Battlefield.
Knight & Garter
the award-winning Knight & Garter (County Winner in the National Pub & Bar Awards) is a historic city building that was subject to a stunning £1.4m renovation
The Anne of Cleves
First built in 1384 as a dwelling for priests who ministered to lepers at Burton Lazars hospital, it was gifted to Anne of Cleves
The Baker’s Arms
The Baker’s Arms is believed to date back to 1485, the year Richard III died.
The Baker’s Arms
A 2023 entrant into the UK’s Top 100 Gastropubs List, the thatched, wood-beamed Baker’s Arms dates back to 1851.
The Berkeley Arms
This cosy, traditional 16th-century village real ale pub with an excellent restaurant fits in perfectly with the fine old Leicestershire village of Wymondham.
The Blue Bell
The Bluebell is a beautiful thatched village pub with a pretty beer garden and an old skittles alley.
The Globe
The Globe has been a pub since 1720 when beer was brewed on-site using water drawn from a well that still exists.
The Griffin
Run by England and Nottinghamshire cricketers Stuart Broad and Harry Gurney, The Griffin sits in one of Leicestershire’s prettiest villages.
The Joiner’s Arms
A charming gastropub, The Joiners in south Leicestershire is an attractive, whitewashed old building with a good reputation for its cooking
The Lancaster Arms
The Lancaster Arms is believed to occupy the site where Richard III rested his army during the Wars of the Roses
The Nevill Arms
Set in picturesque Medbourne in the Welland Valley, The Nevill Arms is an old stable yard and coaching inn bordering on Medbourne brook.
The Royal Oak
The Royal Oak is an enticing thatched village pub serving local beers and good food.
The Stag & Hounds
The Stag & Hounds was named Great Food Club Dining Pub of the Year 2020/21 and won a Michelin Bib Gourmand
The Star Inn 1744
Standing watch over beautiful Thrussington’s village green, The Star Inn 1744 – so named because that’s when the building was constructed
The Three Horseshoes
This large 250-year-old pub near the Derbyshire border began life as a farrier’s business.
The White Hart
The White Hart is a superb example of a traditional town pub.
Wygston’s House Bar & Restaurant
Thought to be one of the oldest houses in Leicester, this medieval timber-framed property in the middle of the city dates back to the 15th century
