Explore the heritage of Leicestershire - social history, architectural history and industrial history

1620s House & Garden

Manor Road, Donington Le Heath, Coalville,
Leicestershire LE67 2FW
Tel: 01455 290429
Email: dlhmanorhouse@leics.gov.uk
https://www.doningtonleheath.org.uk/

The 1620s House and Garden is like taking a step back in time where you can explore the early 17th century house and its gardens and see how people lived 400 years ago.


Abbey Pumping Station

Corporation Road, Leicester LE4 5PX
Tel:  0116 299 5111
Email: museums@leicester.gov.uk
https://www.leicestermuseums.org/abbey-pumping-station/

Step through the doors beneath the 150-foot chimney and you'll discover how Leicester’s Victorians tackled some of the big issues of the day, including how to keep clean water flowing for the growing City.  Not only for the steam enthusiast, Abbey Pumping Station has exhibits that encourage all the family to get hands-on with the history of science, industry, transport, health and hygiene.


Ashby de la Zouch Museum

North Street, Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire
LE65 1HU
Tel:  01530 560090
Email:  ashbymuseum@outlook.com
http://ashbymuseum.org.uk/

Ashby de la Zouch Museum is an independent museum, managed and run by volunteers.


Ashby Castle

South Street, Ashby de la Zouch LE65 1BR
Tel: 01530 413343

https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/ashby-de-la-zouch-castle/

Originally a Norman Manor House, it was converted into a self-contained fortress by Lord Hastings in the 15th century.   Tour the impressive ruins and explore the secret kitchen tunnel used during the seige. Climb the 24 metre high Hastings Tower and enjoy superb views over the surrounding countryside.


The Battlefield Line

Shackerstone, Leicestershire   CV13 6NW
Tel: 01827 880754
https://www.battlefieldline.co.uk/

This remarkable railway captures the very essence of a country line, with steam, diesel and railcar train services along with small stations meandering along a single track line. It really does convey something of the feeling and atmosphere of heady days past.


Belgrave Hall

Church Road, Belgrave, Leicester
LE4 5PE
Tel: 0116 229 8181
Email: museums@leicester.gov.uk
https://www.leicestermuseums.org/belgrave-hall/

On Heritage Open Days you can take the opportunity to wander through the beautiful Hall itself and soak up the traditional architecture.  The tranquil walled gardens, surrounding the Hall, include plants and trees introduced by the Hall’s many owners, including yew trees and wisteria planted by the Ellis family in the mid-1800s.


Belvoir Castle

Grantham, Leicestershire NG32 1PE
Tel: 01476 871001
Email:  reception@belvoircastle.com
https://www.belvoircastle.com

Belvoir Castle’s history dates back to the eleventh century. It is the ancestral home of the Duke of Rutland, where the family have lived in an unbroken line for almost a thousand years.

Throughout the year you can join our special tours including ‘what the butler saw’ and ‘above and below stairs’ – this gives you a glimpse into the life of the Manners family and what really happens beyond the walls.

Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre & Country Park

Ambion Lane, Sutton Cheney, Market Bosworth, Leicestershire, CV13 0AD
Tel: 01455 290429
Email: bosworth@leics.gov.uk
https://www.bosworthbattlefield.org.uk/

Bosworth Battlefield tells the story which changed the course of history in 1485, when two Kings, Richard III and Henry VII fought over the Crown of England, and Henry established the powerful Tudor dynasty.

We offer an extensive range of designer homeware, cookware, utensils and kitchen furniture at fantastic prices.

Castle Donington Museum

4 Apiary Gate, Castle Donington, Leicestershire  DE74 2JA
Email:  info@castledoningtonmuseum.org https://castledoningtonmuseum.org/

Castle Donington Museum has been at the 17th century Stone House, a Grade II listed building, since 2000. Each year a new exhibition illustrates different aspects of life and history of Castle Donington over the centuries.


Charnwood Museum

Queens Hall, Granby Street, Loughborough,
Leicestershire  LE11 3DU
Tel:  01509 233754
Email:  museum@charnwood.gov.uk
https://www.charnwoodmuseum.co.uk/

Charnwood Museum is a popular family friendly museum set in the heart of the beautiful Queens Park in the centre of Loughborough. The Museum features a wide range of exhibits which reflect local history and industries.


Great Central Railway

Loughborough Central Station, Great Central Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire,
LE11 1RW
Tel: 01509 632323
Email: sales@gcrailway.co.uk
https://www.gcrailway.co.uk

The Great Central Railway is the UK's only double track, main line heritage railway. It’s the only place in the world where full size steam engines can be seen passing each other – just as it was when steam ruled the rails.  Trains run every weekend of the year, bank holidays and selected week days through the summer.


Harborough Museum

The Symington Building, Adam and Eve Street, Market Harborough, LE16 7LT
Tel:  0116 305 3627
Email:  harboroughmuseum@leics.gov.uk
https://www.harboroughmuseum.org.uk/

The museum celebrates Market Harborough’s long history as a centre of trade and industry in the heart of the Welland Valley. The internationally-important Hallaton Treasure is showcased in the museum. Found in 2000, the Treasure Gallery contains over 2,500 glittering coins, mysterious offerings and a beautiful and unique 1st century Roman cavalry helmet.


King Richard III Visitor Centre

4A St. Martins, Leicester LE1 5DB
Tel: 0300 300 0900
Email:  info@kriii.com
https://kriii.com/

Turn detective and travel back through time to uncover the plot lines, birth rights and family connections that combined to create a story of medieval murder, mystery and mayhem. Fast-forward over 500 years to a car park in Leicester city centre where the amazing evidence-gathering that resulted in the discovery of the long-lost remains of King Richard III is revealed.


Leicester Guildhall

Guildhall Lane, Leicester  LE1 5FQ
Tel: 0116 253 2569
Email: museums@leicester.gov.uk
https://www.leicestermuseums.org/leicester-guildhall/

Starting with its Great Hall built in about 1390, a tour of Leicester Guildhall will take you through the centuries and many uses of the site. From its first role as a meeting place for the Guild of Corpus Christi, to a public performance space where even Shakespeare may have acted, to the home of one of the oldest public libraries, the town hall and even a police station.


Leicester Museum & Art Gallery

53 New Walk, Leicester  LE1 7EA
Tel: 0116 225 4900
Email: museums@leicester.gov.uk
https://www.leicestermuseums.org/leicester-museum-art-gallery/

A family friendly day out, the galleries include Ancient Egypt, Dinosaurs, Wild Space, Leicester Stories Gallery, the Victorian Art Gallery, Arts & Crafts Gallery, Picasso Ceramics: The Attenborough Collection and Leicester's internationally renowned German Expressionism collection.


Loughborough Heritage Trail

Loughborough Town Centre, Loughborough, Leiestershire

Download the Loyalty App to take part in the trail:

https://loveloughborough.co.uk/love-loughborough/loyalty-app/trails/

Discover Loughborough’s Heritage through augmented reality. The Discover Loughborough Heritage Trail takes in the historic buildings, places of interest and an insight into the town’s heritage within Loughborough town centre.  There are 15 sites located around the town centre where the trail can be accessed, including The Sockman, Queen’s Park, Carillon and War Memorial. At each site you’ll hear about the history of the town with an audio description and accompanying video.  For more information click here.


Loughborough Bellfoundry

Freehold Street, Loughborough, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 1AR
Tel: 01509 638500
Email: info@loughboroughbellfoundry.org
https://loughboroughbellfoundry.org/

Foundry Tours bring you up close to the manufacturing process by taking you around the bellmaking workshops in the main factory building. NOTE:  The museum will close for a major refurbishment in September 2022.


Loughborough Carillon Tower & War Memorial Museum

Queen's Park, Granby Street, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 3DU
Tel:  01509 233754 (Charnwood Museum)
https://www.carillontower.org

Built after WW1 to commemorate those who died; Loughborough’s iconic carillon tower is set within the beautiful Queen’s Park and just 3 minutes’ walk from the town centre. Climb the 138 steps to the balcony, pass through the bell chamber and visit the museum rooms, all for free! Visit our website for opening times.


Measham Museum

off Mannings Terrace, High Street, Measham, Leicestershire  DE12 7HU  
Tel: 01530 271724
Email: janeleedham@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/p/Measham-Museum-100057524646440/

Central to the museum is the Dr. Hart collection, a treasury of artefacts, pictures, letters and documents recording the history of a Midland village through the eyes of two local doctors - father and son - over nearly a century.


Melton Carnegie Museum

Thorpe End, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, LE13 1RB
Tel:  0116 305 3860
Email: meltonmuseum@leics.gov.uk
https://www.meltonmuseum.org/

Melton Museum traces the social and economic history of Melton and includes exhibitions on the town's world-renowned Stilton cheese and pork pie industries and the history of fox hunting.


Moira Furnace Museum and Country Park

Furnace Lane, Moira, nr Ashby, Leicestershire DE12 6AT
Tel: 01283 224667
Email:  office@moirafurnace.org
www.moirafurnace.org

An early 19th century iron-making furnace. Displays relate to the iron making process, the industries of Moira and the story of its inhabitants. There is also a restored section of Ashby Canal on the site so you may wish to enjoy a boat trip. Enjoy finding out about its fascinating history, with woodland walks and trails to explore.


Newarke Houses

The Newarke, Leicester LE2 7BY
Tel:  0116 225 4980
Email:  museums@leicester.gov.uk https://www.leicestermuseums.org/newarke-houses/

Wygston's Chantry House and Skeffington House were both built around 1511. Newarke Houses holds the collections of the Leicestershire Regiment in dedicated galleries.
These two houses, owned by William Wygston and Thomas Skeffington respectively, will take you on a historical journey with objects dating from Tudor times.


Sir John Moore Foundation Museum

Top Street, Appleby Magna
Leicestershire DE12 7AH
Tel:  01530 273629 
Email:  sally.lowe@sirjohnmoore.org.uk
https://www.sirjohnmoore.org.uk/

The Sir John Moore Foundation Museum is part of the Sir John Moore Heritage site, a Grade 1 listed building in Appleby Magna. Originally designed by Sir Christopher Wren, it was opened as a school in 1697.  The museum shows what life would have been like for a Victorian schoolboy - come and have a look around a school room, the Headmaster's Office, and a dormitory. We hold regular Open Days and events.


Swannington Heritage Trust

St George's Hill, Swannington, Coalville, Leicestershire LE67 8QW
https://swannington-heritage.co.uk/

Swannington Heritage Trust is an entirely volunteer run organisation maintaining 14 acres of former industrial heritage sites that are now managed as woodlands and grass heathland for the benefit of the community.  Projects include Hough Mill and the Swannington Incline.