In Attractions, fitcation, food, family, countryside, summer

The long summer break is the perfect time to explore Leicester and Leicestershire, a modern, thriving city and county full of history, exciting attractions, food experiences and outdoor adventures.

Leicestershire is easy to get to and to get around. The city centre is relatively compact, so a short drive or bus ride and you’re out in the open countryside.  We’re centrally located in the UK, with easy access from road, rail or air, meaning wherever you’re coming from, it’s the perfect place to plan a trip.

Explore our history

Our region tells some of England’s most unique and unusual stories, from its connection with one of the bloodiest battles in English history and the gravesite where, over 500 years later, King Richard III’s remains were discovered and finally laid to rest in the city’s cathedral, just yards from where he was found. Leicester is rich with heritage, with our 2,000 years of history stretching to the Romans and beyond. You can walk round our Old Town and explore the 500+ year old Guildhall, one of the oldest buildings in the city, before walking in the footsteps of Geoffrey Chaucer and Simon de Montfort along the cobbled streets of the Newarke. 

Take a trip at the birth of tourism

You’ll also be walking in the footsteps of tourism pioneer Thomas Cook, who ran his first railway excursion from Leicester to Loughborough on the Great Central Railway in 1841. You can follow that same route today, dining in style on beautifully restored steam trains running on a double track line through the beautiful Leicestershire countryside.

Take afternoon tea with history

Step back in time with afternoon tea in the 17th century home of Gunpowder plotter Sir Everard Digby or tour the opulent interiors of Belvoir Castle, a regency building which doubled as Windsor Castle in Netflix’s The Crown. Belvoir Castle was also the place where afternoon tea was invented, and you can’t leave without trying it in their beautiful Regency-style tearoom.

Explore our industrial history

Leicestershire was one of the leading lights of the industrial revolution and our industrial history is still on full display, with the last working bell foundry in Britain showcasing traditional skills which have been passed from foreman to foreman since 1859, you might even be lucky enough to see the sparks fly in a live casting! You can also explore the city’s industrial history at the Abbey Pumping Station, seeing how Leicester was kept clean and safe, and maybe even see the massive beam engines in full steam.

Discover rockets and motorbikes

It's also a place where modern industry stands proud, with the National Space Centre being the UK’s leading space-related attraction. You can see real rockets in the centre’s tower, explore the solar system and even learn what it takes to be an astronaut. Petrolheads will wow at a tour of the official home of Triumph Motorcycles and its onsite factory, where you can take a tour and see these beautiful machines being built. Then explore the on-site museum and see bikes from films like The Great Escape, James Bond and Mission Impossible.

Get a taste of England

Foodies are in for a treat as the ancient market town of Melton Mowbray claims the title of Rural Capital of Food thanks to its association with the pork pie and Stilton cheese. Visitors can experience food and drink history and tradition through tours and activities including making a traditional pork pie, seeing local ale brewed, making your own gin or taking part in a chocolate workshop.

Eat the world from your plate

Leicester is also a city that is full of food from around the world. People from all around the world have travelled here and made the city their home and that’s reflected in the sheer variety of food available here. From Italian gelato to Argentinian steak, Thai noodles to Slovakian schnitzel, it’s all here. The Chinese community have left us with an amazing range of restaurants and takeaways and then there’s the curry. Leicester is officially England’s Curry Capital and the sheer variety and diversity of dishes available here is enough to blow both your mind and your tastebuds. There are more Indian restaurants per person here than anywhere outside the subcontinent, so you’ll be spoilt for choice.

Explore our beautiful countryside

When you’re done with the cornucopia of fabulous food and drink, it’ll definitely be time to stretch your legs and get active. Leicestershire has over 70 miles of waterways and the vast National Forest with some of the most ancient landscapes in Britain to explore. Stroll through ational parks dating back more than 500 years with medieval ruins and wild deer roaming freely, and the ancient woodlands where Sir David Attenborough first took an interest in the natural world.

Take an active adventure

Kayak to the pub, hire a luxury e-bike to cycle through woodland trails, have a go at archery or bushcraft, learn woodturning outdoors with tea brewing on an open fire or see the countryside from a new perspective on a traditional narrow boat. You can also experience the exhilaration of tank driving or hovercrafting then unwind with a natural wellbeing experience in the heart of the forest. Whether you’re after a thrill-seeking challenge, family adventure, or want to learn a new sport, you can explore the options here

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