The parish church, St Helens, houses a rare 300 year-old finger pillory, which may have been used to punish people misbehaving in church.Many of the buildings in Market Street, the town's main thoroughfare, have timber framing, but most of this is hidden by later brick facades. The "Bull's Head" pub retains the original Elizabethan half-timbering. There are also Regency buildings in this street.Bath Street has a row of Classical-style houses dating from the time that the town was a spa. 

• A comprehensive guide 
  
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• Local community site
  
• Ashby Arts Festival

Ashby Canal

Ashby Canal, Moira, DE12

  www.visitconkers.com

Staunton Harold, Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire, LE65 1RU

 FERRERS CENTRE CLICK 

Melbourne Road, Staunton Harold, Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire, LE65 1RU

 FERRERS GALLERY CLICK 

Moira Furnace

Furnace Lane, Moira, nr Ashby, Leicestershire, DE12 6AT
map

  MOIRA FURNACE CLICK 

Willesley Lake

Willesley, Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire, LE65

Its name probably came Old Norse Blábýr = "farmstead or village belonging to a man named Blár". The -r is a case ending. There seems to have been a dense patch of Viking settlement in Leicestershire, although some records indicate origin of the village's name were from the first vicar, these can be found in the Blaby Library.While there are few buildings of outstanding historical or architectural interest, old Blaby is a conservation area, it contains some ancient and picturesque dwellings and has a charming 'olde worlde' feel. Old Blaby also contains The Baker's Arms, a thatched public house that dates back to 1485 and is thus the second oldest pub in Britain  .To the South of the Bakers Arms stands Bouskell Park - a nature park with a 19th Century ice house.Otherwise 'new' Blaby is less a village than a suburb of Greater Leicester, with most shops and amenitites standing on the A426 between Leicester to the north and Lutterworth to the south. Fosse Park shopping centre and the M1 and M69 motorways are just a few miles away.

Blaby Library

This local library is a very important part of the community and is one of the centres of social and cultural life in Blaby. It offers a wealth of interesting information for those who are keen on learning more about this area and the way that it has developed and changed throughout the years. The library also offers all of the usual lending facilities and a great selection of dvds and books.

Lutterworth Road, Blaby, Leicestershire LE8 4DW

E-mail Blaby Library

Donington-Le-Heath Manor House

A charming Medieval Manor House dating back to 1280. The house has a fascinating history and is now restored with fine oak furnishings. The surrounding grounds have a scented period herb garden and an orchard. The adjoining stone barn is home to a tempting tea room.
Events all year round.
New permanent exhibitions with a virtual tour and low tech interactives.

Mount St Bernard Abbey

Oaks-In-Charnwood, Coalville, Leicestershire, N/A

 Mt St.BERNARD CLICK 

Ashby Road, Coalville,
Leicestershire, LE67 3LN

 SNIBSTON CLICK 

Hinckley has a history going back to Saxon times. The name means the "woodland clearing (Old English leah) of a man called Hynca". By the time of the Domesday Book in 1086, Hinckley was quite a large village, and grew over the course of the following 200 years into a small market town – a market was first recorded there in 1311. In the 17th century the town developed a hosiery industry, producing stockings and similar items.

Burbage Library

This library is located at the very heart of the village and provides an absolute life-line to the people of the community. As well as simply being a book depository, holding a large collection of texts, audio and visual material, the library is also a social and cultural centre. It is host to a variety of events throughout the year which include small scale art exhibitions and talks by visiting speakers.

Church Street, Burbage, Hinckley, Leicestershire LE10 2DA

E-mail Burbage Library

BURBAGE LIBRARY CLICK

Hinckley and District Museum

Hinckley Museum contains a wealth of information that helps to bring to life the fascinating story of this community. No matter whether you are young or old, a local or a visitor, the museum has something to offer you, from a range of historic artefacts that have been discovered through archaeological digs, to ancients maps and more modern antiquities.

Framework Knitters' Cottages
Lower Bond Street
Hinckley
Leicestershire
LE10 1QX | View map

 HINKLEY MUSEUM CLICK 

Hinckley Library

The library in Hinckley acts as a central cultural hub for the people of the community and the visitors who come here. The collection is made up of a large range of subjects that cover the general fiction, non-fiction and reference sections, as well as being well resourced in local history. The library has interactive facilities for those wishing to research and communicate with the rest of the world.

Lancaster Road, Hinckley, Leicestershire LE10 0AT

E-mail Hinckley Library

Memory Lane Horse Drawn Tours

The Stables, Wykin Farm, Higham Lane Hinckley, Leicestershire, LE10 3EF

 MEMORY LANE CLICK 

Leicester

The city centre is mainly Victorian with some later developments, which have usually been integrated in smoothly. The heart of the city centre is the Clock Tower, which is at the heart of the vibrant pedestrian shopping centre. Next to it are the historic markets and the very successful Shires Shopping centre, which is currently undergoing major extensions. Leicester has a large multi-ethnic population, mainly from the Indian subcontinent. There are many Hindu temples, Sikh gurdwaras and Muslim mosques around the city. The area around Belgrave Road is known as the Golden Mile, and contains many Indian restaurants, jewellery shops, and other shops that make it a major visitor attraction.

No prior knowledge of Leicester is required as all clues are solved by observation.  Both young and old will be fascinated whilst getting out for a couple of hours seeing the sites and solving the clues. Children will enjoy beating adults to solve the clues!  We even supply a map just in case you get lost.  The answers are at the back of the book so you can check any unsolved ones before you leave.The hunt starts at the Tourist Information Centre , Every Street, Leicester, LE1 6AG.From Leicester or just visiting, you will be surprised at how much you walk past without even noticing. We so often walk around blinkered without appreciating the great features which make our towns and cities fabulous. By following our hunt these things will be highlighted rather than hidden away.Our Leicester treasure hunt packs contain all the necessary elements for you need including maps, clues, answer sheet, and tips on how to get things going.

27a Access Artspace

This gallery is well loved in the community and has for some time been one of the leading new galleries in the city. It offers a modern and inviting place to view a collection of different exhibitions throughout the year. These exhibitions range in size, theme and type, and bring together a varied and eclectic group of artists from across the country.

Abbey Park Road,
Leicester, LE4 5AQ

 ABBEY PARK CLICK

Anstey Library

This rural library on the outskirts of Leicester provides a lifeline for the local community that it serves. It has a great range of books on display, many of which are available for loan. The titles cover a large range of topics and are well loved by the local community. Te library also has some interesting and historic pieces related to local history.

Belgrave Hall Museum

This magnificent structure is one of the architectural gems of the city of Leicester. Built between 1709 and 1713 by the eminent architect and designer Edmond Cradock, the hall was for many years in the hand of the Vanns family, local landowners and industrialists. In the modern age, the hall has been converted into a museum that exhibits many of the finer things about life in the olden days in Leicester.

Tel: 0116 236 2713 

Fax: +44 (0) 116 234 1851

Charles Moore Collection

Situated at the University of Leicester, this collection is one of the finest of musical instruments in the country. Collected over a long period of time and dating back many hundreds of years, these musical instruments cover many of the more well loved pieces that we are familiar with, and a great deal of bizarre instruments that we often don’t see. Anyone with any interest in music will love looking through this exceptional collection.

County Hall Library

County Hall Library is located at the heart of Leicester and acts as one of the largest and most high profile libraries in the county. Carrying a large collection of books that are available for loan, as well as a huge reference section featuring local history interest, the library is an essential resource and cultural focal point in the city. On occasion both exhibitions of art and crafts and speakers are hosted in the complex.The library is in County Hall and is available for use by Leicestershire Council Staff and County Councillors and is not open to the public. However, all lending stock in County Hall Library is on the catalogue and can be requested via your local Leicestershire library.

Leicestershire County Cricket Club Museum

Leicestershire County Cricket Club are one of the main counties that compete in the English and Welsh cricket league and have a grand tradition of playing the game at the highest level. This museum is located within the ground and offers an insight into the history of the game and follows the development of this club and its players. There are many fine artefacts and pieces of sporting memorabilia on show.

County Ground, Grace Road, Leicester, Leicestershire LE2 8AD

 CRICKET MUSEUM CLICK

Cropston Reservoir

Bradgate Road, Cropston, Leicester, LE12

East Midlands Oral History Archive

The East Midlands Oral History Archive is a relatively rare and very interesting study centre. Much of history that we have today has been passed on to us through the oral tradition, and especially the great legends that are always shrouded in myth. This centre brings together a great deal of these stories and tries to trace them back, making for a fascinating project to visit.

University of Leicester, Leicester, Leicestershire LE1 7RH

E-mail Oral History Archive 

ORAL HISTORY CLICK 

Anstey Lane, Leicester,
LE4 0FJ
email: info@gorsehillcityfarm.org.uk  

Guru Nanak Sikh Museum

The first registered Sikh museum in Europe is located in the city centre near St. Nicholas Circle. Permanent displays include the spectacular models of major Sikh shrines, a superb collection of paintings illustrating Sikh religious culture, hand written manuscripts, coins, weaponry and many historic photographs. These photographs include those who fought for Britain in world wars. The museum caters for educational group visits.

9 Holy Bones, Leicester, Leicestershire LE1 4LJ

E-mail Guru Nanak Sikh Museum 

GURU MUSEUM CLICK 

 Haymarket Memorial Clock Tower
is a major landmark and popular meeting point in the  city centre. It is located roughly in the middle of the area inside the ring-road, and is at the point where five major streets (Gallowtree Gate, Humberstone Gate, Belgrave Gate, Church Gate and High Street) meet, and also close by to the junction with Cheapside.The Clock Tower was constructed in 1868, as a centre piece for a traffic island for the increasingly busy Haymarket/Eastgates junction (its business grew with Leicester's expansion and with the adoption of what is now the A6 as the primary road to London). A competition was held for the design, this was won by Joseph Goddard. The tower was built mostly in Ketton stone. Funding was provided largely by private subscription, with the initial origanisation being from John Burton.Officially a memorial, the Clock Tower has four statues of sons of Leicester, one at each corner. The figures are Simon de Montfort, William Wyggeston (spelt 'William Wigston' on the tower itself), Thomas White and Gabriel Newton.

Jewry Wall Museum

The Jewry Wall is one of the most famous pieces of architecture in Leicester and represents an original Roman wall that has survived over two thousand years of change in the area. The museum is located adjacent to the wall and explores the history of Leicester and its development as a city from pre-historic times. With reference to archaeological samples and other artefacts, the museum brings history to life.

Leicester Castle Gardens
in Leicester was the original site of Leicester Castle, all that can be seen now is the lage mound that it was once situated upon. There are cobbled lanes and buildings like the Mary de Castro church which give indications of Leicester's historic past.You are allowed to stroll along the River Soar and enjoy a peaceful and tranquil moment just two minutes away from the busy city centre.

Leicester Market
 is a large market   on Market Place just south of the clock tower.
It is open Monday to Saturday and has over 270 stalls. It has been on the site for 700 years and is the largest covered market in Europe. Leicester market is 800 years old but was moved near the clock tower 700 years ago
The outdoor market sells a wide variety of goods, particularly fruit and vegetables, but also flowers, clothes, second-hand-books, bric-a-brac, jewellery and pet products.The indoor market (1973) is a multi-level building containing the fish market and delicatessen, as well as stalls selling clothes, haberdashery, footware, confectionery and kitchenware.
In the centre of the market stands the  Corn Exchange (1850), originally built as a trading centre, but now serving as a bar/restaurant. The Duke of Rutland Statue stands close to the Corn Exchange.

Leicester Print Workshop

Leicester is a city that has had a printing industry of some size for many generations, and in fact at one point was renowned as one of the best places in the country for printing. This workshop and museum is open to visitors and offers them the chance to see how the printing take place, and using traditional methods, you are invited to get involved in the projects.

50 St Stephen's Road, Leicester, Leicestershire LE2 1GG

E-mail Leicester Print Workshop

  LEICESTER PRINT CLICK 

National Space Centre

This collection in Leicester is the largest in the country that is dedicated to the study of space and travel into the dark beyond. There is a great many fine exhibits on display in this collection that have been brought together from across the world. There are interactive displays that open on a regular basis here, which in the past have involved tie-ins with science fiction films and famous space events.

Exploration Drive
Leicester
Leicestershire
LE4 5NS | View map

E-mail National Space Centre

  NATIONAL SPACE CENTRE CLICK

Old John

Tel: 0116 236 2713 

Fax: +44 (0) 116 234 1851

Swan Line Cruisers Ltd.

Here at Fradley Junction in the heart of the canal network, the staff at Swan Line Cruisers are waiting to greet you for the start of your cruise. Experience narrowboat trips aboard ‘The Duke of Bridgewater’, travelling the River Soar and the Grand Union Leicester line. Private parties, conference facilities, public trips and Santa cruises are catered for

The Waterside Centre, Abbey Meadows, Leicester LE4 5AE

E-mail Swan Line Cruisers Ltd.  

 SWAN LINE CLICK 

Lindridge Lane,
DESFORD
LE9 9 GN

The West End Gallery
has a massive range of artists works. The gallery exhibits work that are very different from eachother so caters for all tastes.They display different mediums from photography to oil paintings and various subject topics like sea-life or old cars.

William Carey Museum

Tableaux of key moments in Carey’s life with some original documents from the founding of the Baptist Missionary Society. There are large illustrated panels of his life in Leicester, India and about his legacy.

Central Baptist Church
Charles Street
Leicester
Leicestershire
LE1 1LA |   View map 
  WILLIAM CAREY MUSEUM CLICK 

Loughborough is best known for two things: bells and sports science. The bells came to town in 1858 when John Taylor relocated his famous foundry from Oxford. For nearly 150 years Loughborough bells have peeled the world over, Great Paul in St. Ball's Cathedral was cast here. The Bell Foundry in Freehold Street is now a museum.

Loughborough University is recognised the world over as one of the best centres for sports science and psychology. Many, many figures from the world of sport have studied here including world record holding long-distance runner Paula Radcliffe.

Bellfoundry Museum

Freehold Street, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 1AR
  BELLFOUNDARY MUSEUM CLICK 

Burrough Hill and Somerby
 walk is a 9km / 5.3 miles round trip which mainly follows footpaths and small walking tracks but there are some steep climbs occasionally.Burrough Hill is one of the most historically important sites in East Leicestershire; it would have been used as a strong defensive position.The Iron Age fort on Burrough Hill can be climbed and offers picturesque views all around.

This walk is very picturesque and interesting you get to experience a range of things on the way, including part of the town, beautiful woodland area where you'll be able to spot some wildlife and you can picnic on a hillside with fantastic views.It is quite a hard walk so not recommended for young children.

'The Halls and Hives'
 is a picturesque 4.5mile/7KM circuit walk which is mainly across footpaths and quiet lanes so is quiet leisurely and easygoing.You will pass through the lovely English village of Hoby, and you'll have to walk through the grounds of Brooksby Agricultural College. The college is based at Brooksby Hall, and is the former home of Lord Cardigan, who led the Charge of the Light Brigade.The walk also passes through the lovely town of Rearsby so a pint is on the cards at the end.

This is busy, working boatyard with more than 40 privately owned boats permanently moored here. The boatyard specialises in day boat hire, short breaks and holidays.On a day boat trip from Sileby Mill you can explore the River Soar in either direction. You may head South towards Leicester where you will pass through some delightful and suprisingly remotre countryside with abundant wildlife. With Birstall making a good lunchtime destination with its large riverside pub. Or you may choose to head North towards Loughborough where there are also a number of riverside pubs and picnic sites. The boats for hire are easy to handle and full tuition is given to all novice crews.

Stonehurst Family Farm at Stonehurst Family Farm and Motor Museum

Thornton Reservoir
is set amongst 75 acre's of beautiful rolling farmland and woodland. Paths have been created through the woodland surrounding the reservoir for a variety of users; an extension to the surfaced track around the reservoir enables less able visitors to access the wood.

There is also a Sculpture Trail that is worth checking out, it was designed and created by groups of disabled people working with professional artist Martin Herron, it reflects the bird life seen on the reservoir.If you wish to visit the pub, walk along the gravel track most of the way around the reservoir, when you reach a footpath, take it, this leads up to the church. Walk up through the churchyard, and out onto the road. Turn left, and you will reach the pub.

The name of Lutterworth is probably derived from the Old Norse name "Lutter's Vordig" meaning Luther's Farm.The town was granted its Market Charter in 1214 by King John and continues to hold a market to this day.Some 4 km (2.5 miles) to the west of the town is a large logistics and distribution centre called Magna Park, which is the main source of employment in the Lutterworth area. Magna Park is built upon the site of the old Bitteswell aerodrome.

Kilworth Wharf Marina

The Marina, North Kilworth, Lutterworth, Leicestershire, LE17 6JB

Market Bosworth is a small town in West Leicestershire,   and the 1988 winner of Britain in Bloom (though its postal town is Nuneaton in Warwickshire).It is mainly known for giving its name to the nearby Battle of Bosworth Field, the concluding battle in the Wars of the Roses. A town charter, granting the right to the market was granted in 1285 by King Edward I.Market Bosworth previously held a large livestock market on Mondays in the area behind the Black Horse Pub. Sheep, pigs and cattle were sold there.

Bosworth Battlefield Visitor Centre and Country Park

View  map

See location on Multimap

Union Wharf Narrowboats

Leicester Road, Market Harborough, LE16 7BJ

Belvoir Brewery Ltd

Crown Business Park, Station Road, Old Dalby, Melton Mowbray, LE14 3NQ

  BELVOIR BREWERY CLICK

Melton Carnegie Museum

Displays on the social, artistic and industrial history of the Melton area. John Ferneley paintings, Stilton tableware, the story of 'Painting the Town Red' regular exhibitions and events.

Thorpe End, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, LE13 1RB

 MELTON CARNEGIE CLICK 

Stapleford Miniature Railway

Stapleford Park The Old Forge Yard, Stapleford Road, Stapleford, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, LE14 2SF

 STAPLEFORD CLICK

Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe at Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe & Sausage Shop

Nottingham Street, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire

 PORK PIE CLICK 

Ashby Boat Company

Station Road, Stoke Golding, Nuneaton, Leicestershire, CV13 6EY

 ASHBY BOAT CLICK

Battlefield Line

Shackerstone, Nuneaton, Leicestershire, CV13 6NW

  BATTLEFIELD LINE CLICK 

George Eliot Hospital Museum

The George Eliot Hospital Museum was established in the early 1980s with the original intention of being a teaching aid for student doctors. However, throughout the years it has developed into a museum and archive of medicine. Now open to the public, you can visit and learn a great deal about how a hospital works today and how they have developed throughout the years.

Rutland is a county of mainland England, bounded on the west and north by Leicestershire, northeast by Lincolnshire, and southeast by Peterborough  and Northamptonshire.

Oakham is the county town of Rutland. It lies 17.4 miles (28.0 km) east from Leicester, and has a total resident population of 9,975.

Art Dejardin Sculpture Garden

Wingwell Top Street, Wing, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 8SE

 ARTDEJARDIN CLICK 

Barnsdale Gardens
are the creation of Geoff Hamilton, Britains best loved television gardener and presenter of BBC TV's Gardener's World weekly gardening programme, which Geoff presented from his home at Barnsdale in Rutland.

Since Geoff's death in 1996, his gardens have been open to the public & include a nursery of choice & unusual plants, mainly propagated from the gardens.

Grainstore Brewery

Station Approach, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6RE

 GRAINSTORE BREWERY CLICK 

Lyddington Bede House

Bluecoat Lane, Lyddington, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 9LZ

 LYDDINGTON BEDE CLICK 

Oakham Castle

Off Market Place, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6HW

  OAKHAM CASTLE CLICK 

Rutland Belle

Whitwell Park, North Shore, Rutland Water, Oakham, LE15 8BL
RUTLAND BELLE CLICK 

Rutland Sailing Club and School

Gibbetts Lane, Edith Weston, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 8HJ

Wing Maze

Glaston Road, Wing, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 8RH

The museum is unique, because when the last master hosier, Edgar Carter, died in 1952, the workshop was locked and left. Inside on the ground floor were eight hand frames for making gloves, mitts and fancy ribbed tops for golf hose, together with all the needle moulds and tools associated with each machine.The museum is open from 2.00pm until 5.00pm