Leicester's History and Heritage

Discover more about Leicester's exciting history and heritage - find out some weird and wonderful facts about this city. Explore Roman ruins, haunted buildings and much more.

Leicester is well renowned as an important Roman settlement, evidence of this can be seen at Jewry Wall Museum. The Museum's grounds contain one of Leicester's most famous landmarks - the Jewry Wall.  Part of the Roman town's public baths are thought to be one of the tallest surviving pieces of Roman masonry in the country.  View interesting collections including mosaics, paintings and Roman cavalry pieces.  Not only can you find out Roman facts, but you can also find out about the people of Leicester through the ages -from Prehistoric to Medieval times!

Visit Belgrave Hall where you can delve into this 18th century building's history.  Visit period rooms, enjoy arts and crafts and explore the walled Victorian gardens.  Belgrave Hall is also home to exciting events throughout the year such as the Good Food Fair, which takes place in September.

Newarke Houses Museum offers visitors a real insight into ‘Leicester at War' through exhibitions and stories from the Royal Leicestershire Regiment. You can also experience life in the 1950s right through to the 1970s and find out more about Leicester's very own Daniel Lambert.

Explore Leicester's Old Town, also known as Castle Park, where you will find fascinating historical buildings. Visit the 600 year old Guildhall - a former meeting place for the Guild of Corpus Christi - plus St Nicholas Church - and find out its varied uses and history throughout the ages.

Leicester's Old Town is also home to many religious buildings such as St Mary de Castro Church, St Nicholas Church and the Medieval Leicester Cathedral. You can also visit the Guru Nanak Sikh Museum and the Jain Centre - a Hindu temple with marble shrines and mirror tiled walls.

Hover over the images below for inspiration