Places to Visit and Days Out in Leicestershire
Ashby-de-la-Zouch Castle
The castle ruins date from the 12th to the 15th centuries. The walls of the tower are 8 feet 7 inches thick. Read more...
Opening times: Apr~Jun & Sep~Oct, Thu-Mon 10am - 5pm; Jul~Aug, daily 10am - 6pm; Nov~Mar, Thu-Mon 10am - 4pm (closed Xmas). Admission Charge
Location: South Street, Ashby de la Zouch LE65
1BR
Facilities: parking, shop.
Belvoir Castle
Once a formidable fortress, it was rebuilt in the 17th century, then around 1800 it was converted into a mock medieval mansion and castle. The castle is home to the museum of the Queens Royal Lancers. The castle and gardens are both open to the public. Special events take place at weekends.
Opening times: Apr~Sep, closed Mon & Fri Admission Charge
Location: NG32 1PD - Tel: 01476 871002 - Website
Facilities: parking, café, restaurant. Can be hired for corporate events and weddings.
Bosworth Battlefield Visitor Centre
This important battle was fought in 1485 between the armies of Richard III and the victor Henry VII, changing the course of British history. The battle took place somewhere south of the little market town of Market Bosworth, the exact location of which is still under question. The Battlefield Visitor Centre, on Ambion Hill, provides historical details of the battle, with exhibitions and multimedia shows. Battle re-enactments and other medieval events are held at the site annually.
Opening times: Battlefield walks open all year.
Visitor Centre: Apr~Oct, daily, 11am - 5pm; Nov~Dec, Sun 11am - 4pm; Mar, weekends 11am - 5pm.
Admission charge to visitor centre
Location: Ambion Hill, Sutton Cheney - CV13
OAD - Tel: 01455 290429 - Website
Facilities: parking (charged), café, restaurant, shop.
Bradgate Park
A large, 850 acre, public park in Charnwood Forest. Originally created as a medieval deer park. The River Lin, which flows through the park, runs into the Cropston Reservoir to the east. One of the most visited parks in Leicestershire, it is ideal for horse riding, walking and picnics.
Opening times: all year Free Entry
Location: Near Cropston, just northwest of the
city of Leicester
Website: nationalforest.org
Facilities: parking (charged), café, information centre.
Conkers
Outdoor family orientated leisure and nature park with over 120 acres of lakeside walks and trails. Includes an assault course, adventure play area and bike hire. If the weather is bad visitors can explore the indoor interactive exhibits.
Opening times: dally, summer 10am - 6pm, winter 10am - 5pm (closed Xmas) Admission Charge
Location: Millennium Av, Rawdon Rd, Moira -
DE12 6GA - Tel: 01283 216633 - Website
Facilities: parking, café, restaurant.
Donington-le-Heath Manor House
An authentically restored, late 13th century, medieval manor house. Contains many period rooms with fine oak furnishings, plus displays on medieval life and a changing series of exhibitions. The surrounding grounds have been laid out in the form of 17th century period garden.
Opening times: Mar~Nov 11am - 4pm daily, Dec~Feb Sat-Sun 11am - 4pm Free Entry
Location: Manor Rd, Donington-le-Heath LE67
2FW - Tel: 01530 831259 - Website
Facilities: parking, tea room, shop.
Foxton Locks
A staircase of ten canal locks built in 1810 to enable barges to rise 75 feet in the space of 300 yards. The site includes a museum which tells the story of the locks and the Inclined Plain (built in 1900 on the site to raise wider boats). Visitors can browse around the site, take a boat trip or follow one the many canal walks. Located on-site is the canal side Foxton Locks Inn, a traditional English pub serving real ale and good food.
Opening times: daily Admission Charge to museum
Location: Foxton, Leicestershire LE16 7RA
- Website
Facilities: parking (charged), shop, museum, canal walks.
Kirby Muxloe Castle
A moated fortified mansion house built in the 15th century. Lord Hastings, the original owner, was beheaded before the castle was completed. Run by English Heritage.
Opening times: May~Aug 10am - 5pm, Admission Charge
Location: Off Oakcroft Ave, Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire
LE9 9MD - Website
Facilities: parking.
Shackerstone Battlefield Line Railway
The last remaining section of the former Ashby to Nuneaton Joint Railway, which was opened in 1873. It now runs heritage steam trains at the weekends from Shackerstone, via Market Bosworth, to Shenton Station (shown right). Travellers arriving at Shenton can walk the short distance to Ambion Hill to visit the Bosworth Battlefield Centre.
Opening times: all year Sat, 12 - 5pm, Sun & BH Mon 10.30am - 5.30pm (closed Xmas) Admission Charge
Location: Shackerstone Station CV13 6NW -
Tel: 01827 880754 - Website
Facilities: parking, café, shop.
Stanford Hall
Stanford Hall has been the home of the Cave family since 1430. The present mansion dates from 1697. One night, whilst Queen Elizabeth I was dancing, her garter slipped from her leg. Sir Ambrose Cave, noticed it, picked it up and offered it to the Queen. She told him he could keep it. Sir Ambrose immediately tied it to his left arm, vowing that he would wear it as long as he lived. A portrait of him in Stanford Hall shows him wearing it.
Opening times: see website for details Admission Charge
Location: LE17 6DH - Tel: 01788 860250 - Website
Facilities: parking, café.
Twycross Zoo
Home to Molly Badham's famous acting chimps from the TV adverts, it is now the only zoo in Britain to house Bonobos. Twycross has many other animals, including primates, penguins, sealions, lions, elephants and giraffes. There is also a pets corner and a Children's Adventure Playground.
Opening times: all year, daily 10am - 5.30pm (4pm in winter) Closed Xmas. Admission Charge
Location: on A444 near Twycross village - CV9 3PX
Tel: 01827 880250 Website
Facilities: parking, café.
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Please note that the above information was accurate at the time this page was last updated. This information is subject to change at any time (opening times in particular), therefore if you plan on visiting any of the above attractions, please check the owner's website first or phone them for the latest details.