Leicester is weird. Honestly, I mean that in the best way possible. It’s a city that spent decades being "that place near Nottingham" or "where the Walkers crisps come from" before a king was found under a social services car park and suddenly the world cared.
But if you think looking at a skeleton (well, a replica—the real Richard is in the Cathedral) is the only thing on the menu, you’ve totally missed the point of the place.
Leicester is a massive, sprawling, chaotic mashup of 2,000 years of history. Romans lived here. Vikings fought here. Now, it's basically the curry capital of the Western world. If you're looking for things to do in Leicester UK, don't just stick to the city centre. You’ve got to dig into the weird little corners.
The Richard III Thing (and the Car Park)
Look, we have to talk about it. It’s the law. In 2012, archaeologists dug up a car park and found King Richard III. He’d been there since 1485.
The King Richard III Visitor Centre is actually surprisingly good. It’s not just dry history. They’ve built the museum around the actual grave site. You stand over the glass floor and look down at where the "King under the car park" lay for five centuries.
Don't miss the Cathedral
Right across the street is Leicester Cathedral. They gave Richard a proper reburial in 2015. It’s a quiet, heavy place. The tomb is made of Swaledale fossil stone. If you look closely, you can see tiny ancient sea creatures frozen in the rock. It's a nice touch for a guy who’s been dead for 500 years.
Why the Golden Mile is actually legendary
People say "go for the curry," but they don't tell you where. You want the Golden Mile (Belgrave Road).
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This isn't just a street; it's an assault on the senses. The shop windows are crammed with 24-carat gold jewellery and bright silk sarees. During Diwali, this place is the biggest celebration outside of India. We're talking 40,000 people in the streets, lights everywhere, and enough food to feed a small army.
Where to eat?
- Bobby’s: It’s an institution. It’s been there since the 70s. Go for the Gujarati thali.
- Herb: This place is on Granby Street (not the Golden Mile, but close). It’s 100% vegetarian Keralan food. Get the Paper Masala Dosa—it’s roughly the size of a small child and tastes like heaven.
- Chutney Ivy: A bit more "date night" vibes in the Cultural Quarter.
Space is closer than you think
About two miles north of the city centre is the National Space Centre. You can’t miss it because there’s a giant semi-transparent rocket tower sticking out of the skyline.
It’s one of the few places in the UK where you can see actual Blue Streak and Thor-Able rockets. The planetarium is huge. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel very small and very significant at the same time. If you’re traveling with kids, this is the one. If you’re an adult who likes sci-fi and physics, it’s also the one.
The "Secret" Roman Ruins
Most people walk right past the Jewry Wall. It’s one of the tallest surviving pieces of Roman masonry in Britain. It was part of a massive public bathhouse complex from around AD 160.
The museum there has been undergoing a massive renovation, but you can still see the ruins from the street. It’s a weird juxtaposition—thousands of years of Roman stone sitting right next to 1960s concrete architecture. That’s Leicester in a nutshell.
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Getting Out: Bradgate Park and the Deer
If the city gets too much, go to Bradgate Park.
It’s 800 acres of wild, rocky Leicestershire countryside. It was the childhood home of Lady Jane Grey (the "Nine Days Queen" who got executed). You can still see the ruins of her house.
Pro tips for Bradgate:
- The Deer: They roam free. Don't touch them. Seriously. They look cute until a stag decides you're too close to his harem.
- Old John: It’s a folly at the top of the highest hill. It looks like a giant beer mug. The view from up there is probably the best in the county.
- The Outwoods: Just a short drive away if Bradgate is too crowded. It's older, woodier, and feels a bit like a Grimm's fairytale.
The Cultural Quarter and Nightlife
Leicester’s Cultural Quarter used to be the hub of the shoe and hosiery industry. Now, those old red-brick factories are film studios, galleries, and bars.
Curve Theatre is the centerpiece. It doesn't have a "backstage"—you can see all the tech and the ropes from the lobby. It’s very meta.
For a drink, hit up St Martins Square. It’s a little enclave of independent shops and bars. 45 West is great for gin. If you want something a bit more "underground," The Basement is a legendary soul and funk club that stays open until the sun comes up.
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Highcross and the Market
Shopping is basically the local sport. Highcross is the big shiny mall, but if you want the real Leicester, go to the Outdoor Market. It’s been there for over 700 years.
Gary Lineker used to help his dad run a fruit and veg stall here. You can still hear the traders shouting prices. It’s loud, it’s honest, and you can buy a bowl of peppers for a pound.
The New Walk
Take a walk down New Walk. It’s a pedestrian-only promenade that’s stayed basically the same since 1785. No cars allowed. It leads you from the city centre up to the Leicester Museum & Art Gallery.
Inside the museum, there’s a room full of German Expressionist art that is surprisingly world-class. Also, dinosaurs. They have the "Rutland Dinosaur" (a Cetiosaurus), which is basically the local celebrity.
Practical Insights for 2026
If you’re planning a trip, keep these things in mind:
- Transport: The city centre is very walkable. Don't bother driving into the middle; the one-way system was designed by someone who clearly hated cars. Use the Park & Ride.
- Timing: If you can, visit during the Leicester Comedy Festival in February. It’s the biggest in Europe after Edinburgh. The whole city turns into a giant comedy club for three weeks.
- Food: Don't just eat Indian food. The artisan bakery scene is exploding. Check out 31 Mallory or Hambleton Bakery for actual bread, not the plastic supermarket stuff.
Leicester isn't a "polished" tourist city like Bath or Oxford. It’s got rough edges. It’s loud. It’s incredibly diverse. But if you actually take the time to look past the car parks and the concrete, it’s easily one of the most interesting places in the UK.
Your Leicester Checklist
- The King: See the Visitor Centre and the Cathedral.
- The Food: Walk the Golden Mile and grab a dosa at Herb.
- The Space: Visit the Rocket Tower at the National Space Centre.
- The Park: Hike up to Old John in Bradgate Park.
- The Culture: Catch a show at Curve or browse the LSA Annual Exhibition at the museum.
Stop treatng it as a pit stop on the M1. It's worth a full weekend, at least.