'''Leicester''' [http://www.leicester.gov.uk] is the largest city in the East Midlands region of England, the capital of the traditional county of Leicestershire, with a population of some 330,000 in the city area and nearly 500,000 in the metropolitan area. Leicestershire Tourist Information Centre [http://www.goleicestershire.com] is the official provider of tourism information for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

Understand

Leicester is one of the oldest English cities, having been founded by the Romans as ''Ratae Coritanorum'' in 50 CE. Presently, it is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the United Kingdom. It is also Britains first environment city. Leicester has grown rapidly throughout the centuries and is now a cosmopolitan city with friendly people from all races, backgrounds and cultures creating a culturally diverse city.

Get in

By road

Leicester is conveniently situated adjacent to the '''M1 Motorway''', allowing speedy road access south to London and north to many other major English cities.
  • The '''M69 motorway''' provides good access from the south of the city at M1 junction 21 towards Birmingham, Coventry, Nuneaton and Hinkley.
  • As noted below, for non-motorised road users, there is good access to the city for cyclists, from all points of the compass.
  • First-time visitors to the city coming by car may find the inner ring road and associated one-way systems confusing and somewhat daunting. Plan your journey well in advance, be patient, and look for signposts for the many car-parks close to the city centre; or use the Park & Ride services (see below under 'Bus')
  • The city offers a Park and Ride service Meynells Gorse Park and Ride, see [http://www.parkandride.net/leicester/leicester_frameset.shtml National Park and Ride Directory]

    By Rail

  • Leicester is on the main London to Leeds rail route operated by '''East Midlands Trains'''. There are up to four trains to and from the capital every hour. The journey takes about one hour ten minutes. *Leicester also offers direct rail access to *[http://www.baa.com/main/airports/stansted/ Stansted Airport], Sheffield, Nottingham, Derby, Cambridge and Birmingham.
  • Cross country services are operated by '''Cross Country''' and '''East Midlands Trains''' (That is to say, to Cambridge, Stansted, Nuneaton, Coventry & Birmingham).
  • Leicester station is conveniently situated close to the city centre. It is a very busy, compact station. The station staff are consistently friendly and often seem to bend over backwards to help both visitors and regular travellers.
  • The only suburban services are those operated by East Midlands Trains towards Sileby, Barrow-on-Soar, and Lougborough and the Birmingham services which call at Wigston and Narborough.
  • By Air

  • The city is close to '''East Midlands Airport''' situated in the county of Leicestershire and a drive should not take much longer than 30 minutes depending on the traffic situation, a recently introduced bus service "Airbus" from St Margarets bus station has made the bus journey much easier; this service runs regularly during the day, with an infrequent service overnight. Previously journeys by public transport were more complicated, involving a bus to Loughborough and then the train to Leicester.
  • '''Birmingham International Airport''' is also within a 45 minute to 1 hour drive from Leicester. There are also a limited number of flights available from '''Coventry Airport''' about a 45 minute drive away.
  • '''Stansted''' and '''Luton''' airports are linked directly to Leicester by regular train services.
  • '''Manchester airport''' can be reached easily by train, changing at Sheffield.
  • '''Gatwick airport''' can be reached easily by train, chainging at Luton or Bedford.
  • There is a small airfield for private planes at Stoughton to the east of the city.
  • By Bus

    '''National Express''' offer services into St Margarets Bus Station on the edge of the city centre, there are regular services to and from London and Birmingham where connections are available to most of the UK. Many services serve Leicester on a 'once a day' basis to and from many major UK cities. There are also services operated by local companies which serve the Asian communities in West London (Southall), Bradford, and other areas - these services are not gererally well advertised, may be short-lived, but can be cheap, and get you to out-of-the-way areas.

    Get around

  • All city centre locations are easily reachable within walking distance.
  • The city supports an extensive bus network. Services are operated mainly by '''First Leicester''' and '''Arriva'''. First Leicester services cover the more local (city) destinations, those operated by Arriva can also be useful for reaching areas just outside Leicester, as well as city destinations. First Services leave from a variety of points in the city centre; most Arriva services depart from St Margarets Bus Station. Be warned: First Leicester's bus services are notorious for not sticking to time tables and arriving at times their drivers deem appropriate. It can be advisable to walk smaller distances or use arriva or other routes operated by other companys.
  • '''Stagecoach''' run a regular service (Route 48) from St Margarets to Hinckley and Coventry
  • There are services operated by other companies - some are 'one route' only operators; you may find that a different company will run the same service on a Sunday (or during evenings) to the day-time operator.
  • You will generally be able to get advice on bus travel from St Margarets bus station.
  • You will find stops for most services in the City Centre streets. These stops can be confusing - even for locals!
  • Tickets are ''not'' interchangable between different companies; However, there is a day ticket for all buses in the Leicester area called '''FlexiDay'''. This can be bought on any bus in Leicester for __4.20 Day tickets can offer significant savings over single, and even return tickets - ask the driver for advice. Fares are expensive for very short journeys, but can be remarkable value if travelling to the suburbs or further.
  • There is one ''''Park & Ride'''' service that runs monday - saturday - from Meynells Gorse - that is at Braunstone Cross Roads, just off the A47 Every 15 minutes and is run by paul james coaches.ltd . This service is well signposted on the A47, and M1 (leave at junction 21A). This serves the city centre with a reliable, regular, fast service from a large car park. There are Saturday only Park & Ride services from County Hall (A50 - Glenfield), and Oadby Leicester racecourse (A6 - Oadby). Y''ou MUST have to be a car user to use the Park & Ride services''.
  • '''Cycling''' in and around Leicester is generally pleasant with there being a good road network and generally well-mannered car and bus drivers. Previous city council policies led to the development of well signposted, well designed cycle-tracks - some of these are now in need of repair and upkeep, but the network remains. '''Sustrans Route 6''' bisects the city North/South, with Route 63 going north-west toward Charnwood Forest.
  • The city centre '''Bike Park''' provides a handy place to park your bike with complete security during the week, daytime. The Bike Park is situated to the right of the Town Hall (in Town Hall Square) right in the city centre. The friendly staff can help with repairs and local knowledge. There are changing facilities here if you require them.
  • Remember that Leicester is effectively in a 'bowl', so whichever way you enter the city (except along the river / canal) you are likely to have to climb to leave it! As a cyclist you may wish to avoid routes leading directly to the local M1 junctions (21, 21A, & 22)as these carry heavy and fast motor traffic.
  • There is free, signposted '''motorcycle parking''' in the city centre - in Abbey Street and behind the Town Hall.
  • See

  • '''National Space Centre'''
  • '''Gas Museum'''
  • '''Leicester Guildhall'''
  • '''Jewry Wall Museum'''
  • '''New Walk Museum and Art Gallery'''
  • '''Abbey Park'''
  • '''The Golden Mile (Belgrave)'''
  • '''The City Gallery (Granby Street)
  • Do

  • Those who wish to visit historic sights can visit the '''Jewry Wall museum''' located near the city centre, this is the 2000 year old remains of the Roman Bath House in the City and is the second largest such survival in the UK, the adjacent Mueseum tells Leicester's history since ancient times. The City had the roman name, Ratae Corieltauvorum.
  • '''The National Space Centre''' is also a popular tourist attraction with tourists visiting daily from all over the world. It is the nation's only Space Centre of its kind and features a space theatre.
  • '''Abbey park''' located near the Belgrave roundabout, is a large park with a pets corner, large sports fields, childrens play areas and beautiful gardens. The park features a 12th Century Abbey ruin and the ruins of Cavendish House, destroyed during the English Civil War and the seige of Leicester.
  • '''Bradgate Park''' located just northwest of the city, encompassing 850 acres of land. A good place to take a walk or a picnic, there is also a visitor's centre on site, the ruins of the former home of Lady Jane Grey (Queen for 9 days) Bradgate House, are within the park as is Old John, a hilltop folly in the shape of a beer tankard built in 1784. Both structures were built by the Grey family (Lady Jane's family) of Groby from the 15th Century onwards. The park is also a protective zone for many bird, deer and plant species.
  • Sport

    Ticket prices shown are those for one adult ticket and are subject to change.

    '''Football (Soccer):''' Leicester City Football Club [http://www.lcfc.co.uk], Walkers Stadium, Filbert Way, Leicester. Tickets: __23-30.

    '''Rugby Union:''' Leicester Tigers [http://www.tigers.co.uk], Welford Road Stadium, Welford Road, Leicester. Tickets: __20-34.

    '''Cricket:''' Leicestershire County Cricket Club [http://www.leicestershireccc.com], County Ground, Grace Road, Leicester. Tickets: __12.

    '''Basketball:''' Leicester Riders [http://www.ridersbasketball.com], John Sanford Sports Centre, De Montfort University, The Gateway, Leicester. Tickets: __10.

    Buy

    The city centre of Leicester has a vibrant and friendly atmosphere along with many department stores and a large shopping centre called '''Highcross''' (formerly 'The Shires', High Street. Shoppers can expect to find the majority of items and services offered within a main city in the UK. As noted below The Shires is currently undergoing a huge expansion - visitors may find some disruption due to the building works.

    The '''Haymarket centre''' has also recently undergone changes and has improved within the last 10 years.

    Leicester also has some interesting independant shops around the 'Lanes' area leading from Loseby Lane. The St Martins area also has interesting small boutiques, delicatessans and cookware shops. The Shires has recently undergone a transformation and expansion, changing its name to Highcross. Highcross opened in September 2008 and features many new shops and resturants including John Lewis, Topman, Levis, Superdrug and Hugo Boss amongst others.

    Eat

    Leicester is a fantastic place for Indian food. Leicester's oldest Indian restaurant, the '''Taj Mahal''', on Highfields Street. It has been there for some 40 years. Also worth a try are '''Laguna''' which has existed since the late 70's and opertes a traditional tandoor oven, on Narborough Road and the Good Food Guide listed '''The Rise of the Raj''' on Evington Road.

    Leicester's large Gujarati community - centred in the Belgrave area - has led to the opening of many excellent Indian vegetarian restaurants in that part of the city. '''Sharmilee'''[http://www.sharmilee.co.uk], '''Sayonara''' and '''Phulnath'''[http://Phulnath.co.uk], come highly recommended by local residents. '''The Chaat House''' is also a great places for Masala Dosas and other light meals.

    The choice of fine restaurants in Leicester is limited and sadly there has been a recent closure of two fine restaurants namely Entropy and The Opera House, however the City is in the grip of major renovation and regeneration presently which is likely to spur on a greater choice and profusion of fine dining experiences. However excellent food can be had at '''Watsons Restaurant''' which is a refined and tasty experience (near the Phoenix Theatre) and '''The Case''' near St. Martins, the lunch menu is excellent as are the wait staff, a distinctly French feel is on offer and The Case has the joy of being connected to the delightful '''Champagne Bar''' on it's ground floor. '''Dinos''' on Garrick Walk, Haymarket has an excellent reputation and a very Italianate, exciting menu. A more recent addition with an excellent menu is '''The Quarter''', housed in the former wholesale vegatable market building on Halford Street and close to the soon to open '''Curve''', Leicester's new theatre expected to open in Autumn 2008. This Restaurant/Bar is a beautiful open space with a great menu and superb cocktails!

    Some good, mid range restaurants/ bars with menu's can be found near the City on '''Braunstone Gate''', the best of these being the ever popular '''Left Bank''', which is cheap, spirited and tasty. Across the road, '''Mobius''' is interesting with a lively bar to the ground floor and restuarant upstairs. Mid priced food can also be found easily at decent chains such as Ask, Zizzi, Las Iguanas, La Tasca and two Pizza Express restaurants.

    For those with even tighter budgets, Leicester offers a wide array of different takeaways. [http://www.foodagogo.com/leicester/ Leicester takeaways] range from Indian food to Italian, American, Turkish, Chinese, Thai and other types of food. Generally, a takeaway meal for two can be purchased between __10 and __15.

    Tea rooms and Coffee Shops/Bars abound, most notable are '''Mrs Bridges''' on Loseby Lane and '''Bossa''' close to the City Gallery, if you want to avoid the usual Starbuck and Costa chains, '''Fenwicks''' also houses a pleasant old school style cafe, steeped in the 60's/70's, on it's top floor, with excellent food on offer at reasonable prices.

    Drink

    With two universities Leicester boasts a good number of bars, pubs, and clubs offering a wide variety of alcoholic drinking experiences, offering everything from traditional pubs to champagne and vodka bars.

    Leicester also has a small number of bars and a nightclub catering for the lesbian/gay communities.

    For those that prefer their drink without alcohol there are also a good number of coffee shops in the city centre, but these usually tend to only open during shopping hours.

    Sleep

    There is a '''Travelodge''' very close to the City centre on Vaughan Way, close to the High Street. There is a '''Campanile''' Hotel close to the city centre, and very handy for the Golden Mile, and Abbey Park. (This is on the edge of the once notorious St Matthew's Estate, visitors should not be put off by the electronic access via huge gates - it's perfectly safe & secure). More upmarket is the '''Holiday Inn''' at St Nicholas Circle, just at the end of High Street; there is another Holiday Inn, to the south of the city, on Narborough Road, closer to the M1 junction 21. The '''Ramada Jarvis Grand''' hotel is situated right in the city centre, as is the '''Comfort Inn''', which is atop the Abbey Street car park. A further very popular hotel is the '''Belmont Hotel''' just off London Road.
  • There is no shortage of overnight accommodation in Leicester at almost all budget ranges - the tourist information people can help.
  • Get out

  • '''Rutland Water''', a reservoir located 20 miles east of Leicester is a popular location for fishing, picnics and watersports such as sailing and jetskiing.
  • As noted above, '''Bradgate Park''' is close to the city, and very popular with locals for a breath of country air - it can, however get crowded on Bank Holidays.
  • The '''canal / River Soar''' is a popular green artery running both north and south of the city. North through Abbey Park towards Birstall is a pleasant walk, and return by bus from Birstall is possible; going south through the Aylestone Country Park, to Aylestone, Blaby and beyond will quickly get you into open country, with the option of returning either by bus or walking back along the Great Central Way (part of the Sustrans National Cycleroute).