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Leicester
Roman walls, Richard III's grave and a medieval Guildhall in the East Midlands' largest city
Leicester is the county town of Leicestershire and, with about 383,000 people in 2025, the largest city in the East Midlands. It began as the Roman town of Ratae Corieltauvorum, became one of the Danelaw's Five Boroughs and later a stronghold of the House of Lancaster. King Richard III was buried here in 1485 after the Battle of Bosworth; his remains were found under a car park in 2012 and reburied in Leicester Cathedral in 2015.
Most of what visitors come for sits inside the ring road: the cathedral and the King Richard III Visitor Centre, the medieval Guildhall, the Roman Jewry Wall, the castle remains and Newarke Houses, the market and the Clock Tower. The free Leicester Museums sites, Curve theatre and the parks are a short walk or bus ride away. Since the mid-20th century, migration from the Commonwealth has made Leicester an ethnically diverse city, and Wikipedia describes its Diwali celebrations as the largest outside India.
- Train from LondonFrom 66 minutesEast Midlands Railway from London St Pancras, according to Visit Leicester
- PopulationAbout 383,0002025 estimate for the city; about 559,000 in the wider urban area (2021)
- Richard IIIReburied in 2015In Leicester Cathedral, 530 years after his death at Bosworth
- From East Midlands AirportSkylink busEvery 20 minutes by day and hourly at night, 24 hours a day, says Visit Leicester
Areas
Where to begin
The Leicester city centre guide has 15 sights, places to eat and drink, and where to stay.
Sights
Highlights across Leicester
A sight from each area. Every area guide lists the rest, with directions and official links.
Leicester Cathedral
Medieval church of St Martin, a cathedral since 1927; King Richard III was reburied here in 2015, 530 years after his death.
King Richard III Visitor Centre
Museum opened in 2014 on the site of the Greyfriars friary, where Richard III was buried in 1485 and his remains were found in 2012.
Leicester Guildhall
Timber-framed hall whose earliest part dates from about 1390; it was the town hall until 1876 and is now a museum.
Leicester Museum & Art Gallery
Museum on New Walk, opened in 1849 as one of the UK's first public museums; some galleries are closed during refurbishment.
Newarke Houses Museum
Museum of Leicester life and of the Royal Leicestershire Regiment, near the 15th-century Magazine Gateway.
Leicester Castle
Remains of the castle of the Earls of Leicester: a large motte, the Great Hall and the ruined Turret Gateway, west of the centre.
St Mary de Castro
Grade I listed medieval church inside the castle bailey; its unsafe spire was taken down after 2011 and has not been replaced.
Haymarket Memorial Clock Tower
Landmark and meeting point where five main streets meet, roughly in the middle of the area inside the ring road.
Photos
1 / 5Getting there
Arriving in Leicester
Leicester station is on the edge of the city centre, on the East Midlands Railway line from London St Pancras. The nearest airports are East Midlands (about 20 miles) and Birmingham (about 37 miles). Check operators for times and fares.
Train
East Midlands Railway runs direct trains from London St Pancras, the fastest in about 66 minutes, and north to Nottingham, Derby and Sheffield. CrossCountry trains also call. Figures from Visit Leicester.
East Midlands Airport
The Skylink bus runs from East Midlands Airport to Leicester every 20 minutes during the day and hourly at night. Birmingham Airport is reached by train via Birmingham New Street.
Coach
National Express coaches serve Leicester; Visit Leicester gives the London journey as just under 3 hours.
Journey times are the figures published by Visit Leicester, checked on Nov 3, 2026. We do not publish timetables or fares.
On foot
The station is on the edge of the city centre. The cathedral, King Richard III Visitor Centre, Guildhall, Jewry Wall, castle and Newarke Houses are all within the old walled town inside the ring road.
Buses
Arriva, First Bus and Centrebus run city buses, many from the refurbished Haymarket Bus Station; a free city-centre bus links the station, the market and attractions. Take a bus to Abbey Pumping Station and the National Space Centre, north of the centre.
Best time to go
Leicester through the year
Leicester's museums and churches are open all year, so any season works for a city break. Wikipedia lists the Caribbean Carnival, Diwali, the Leicester Comedy Festival and Leicester Pride among the city's annual events; check Visit Leicester for dates.
Quieter months for the museums and the cathedral, and Abbey Park and Victoria Park come into leaf.
The Caribbean Carnival and other outdoor events; parks and the river are at their best.
Diwali celebrations centre on Belgrave Road (the Golden Mile); dates follow the Hindu calendar, so check before you travel.
A good season for the indoor sites: the museums, the Guildhall and the King Richard III Visitor Centre.
FAQ
Good to know before you go
Where is Richard III buried?
In Leicester Cathedral. He was reburied there in 2015 after his remains were found in 2012 at the site of the Greyfriars friary, now the King Richard III Visitor Centre across the road.
How far is Leicester from London by train?
Visit Leicester says the fastest East Midlands Railway trains from London St Pancras take about 66 minutes.
Are Leicester's museums free?
Leicester Museums says general entry to Abbey Pumping Station is free except on event days; check each museum's own page for current charges.
Nearby places
Guides near Leicester
Our closest other guides, by straight-line distance between centres. Road and rail distances are longer: check a journey planner.
Photo credits
- Leicester (header): NotFromUtrecht, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Leicester city centre: NotFromUtrecht, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Leicester Cathedral: NotFromUtrecht, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- King Richard III Visitor Centre: RobinLeicester, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Leicester Guildhall: NotFromUtrecht, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Leicester Museum & Art Gallery: NotFromUtrecht, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Newarke Houses Museum: NotFromUtrecht, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Leicester Castle: Kris1973, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- St Mary de Castro: NotFromUtrecht, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Haymarket Memorial Clock Tower: NotFromUtrecht, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Leicester Market: NotFromUtrecht, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Curve: NotFromUtrecht, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Abbey Park: NotFromUtrecht, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- National Space Centre: Richard Rogerson, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Arch of Remembrance: NotFromUtrecht, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
Plan it properly
More guides for Leicester
- Where to stay in LeicesterWhich area suits which traveller, with every stay we have checked.
- Getting around LeicesterWith and without a car, from official transport pages.
- When to go to LeicesterMonth-by-month weather, daylight and what to pack.
- Rainy-day ideas in LeicesterIndoor things to do, by area.
- Events in LeicesterFestivals, markets and seasonal events from the organisers.
- Attractions in LeicesterSights and museums with entry and access flags where verified.
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