The Grand Hotel Leicester

The discovery of King Richard III put the eyes of the world on Leicester. At the Richard III Visitor Centre you’ll travel from the battlefield of Bosworth to Richard’s final resting place and discover how traditional archaeology and modern science combined to identify his remains. Using great storytelling, beautiful design and 21st century technology, the King Richard III Visitor Centre tells the fascinating and moving story of the life, death and discovery of King Richard III. The visitor centre stands on the site of the medieval friary of the Grey Friars, where the king’s remains were buried over 500 years ago. The exhibition charts the king’s life and death – and explains the events that led to his hasty burial and eventual rediscovery. It reveals one of the greatest archaeological detective stories ever told and features the first-ever genome sequencing of ancient DNA.

Victoria Park is a fine green space next to the University of Leicester campus. The centrepiece of the park is the magnificent memorial arch, built to commemorate the dead of the First World War. The arch was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, as were the beautiful wrought iron gates at the parks Peace Walk and London Road entrances. The area served as the city's race course until 1883; upon the racing find a new home at Leicester Racecourse in Oadby, the area was transformed and is now a peaceful retreat from the buzz of the city. The park has areas of formal flowerbeds as well as winding pathways shaded by avenues of trees– perfect for finding some shade and enjoying a picnic or a good book on a summer’s day. For more active visitors, the park is home to a bowling green, croquet area, 4 tennis courts, football and rugby pitches, a floodlit astro pitch and an outdoor gym.

The award-winning National Space Centre is an out of this world experience for the whole family. Home to the UK’s largest planetarium, the Centre has six interactive galleries, iconic Rocket Tower and hosts events throughout the year. The award-winning National Space Centre is an out of this world experience for the whole family!

Hugging the banks of the River Soar in the north of the city is Abbey Park – a beautiful green space to relax and admire Leicester’s riverside scenery. Those looking to get active can take advantage of the parks many sporting facilities, including a bowling green, five hard surface tennis courts, orienteering courses, a lavender maze and Ping! table tennis tables – perfect for those looking to try something new or get in some extra practise. Heritage lovers will enjoy a stroll around the remains of the twelfth century Leicester Abbey and the ruins of Cavendish House, a 17th century mansion. The Abbey was founded by the second Earl of Leicester, Robert le Bossu. It became one of the wealthiest Augustinian abbeys in the country, but closed in 1538 when Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries. Whilst converting the overgrown abbey grounds into a public excavations revealed the remains of the abbey church and the other main building ranges, which can be seen in the park today. Look out for the heritage interpretation panels to learn more about the historic site. Pets Corner is a favourite with all visitors to the park – an area to interact with a variety of small, domesticated animals. The area includes an aviary with a collection of exotic birds, as well as small enclosures housing hens, guinea pigs, rabbits, goats and pygmy goats. There is also a miniature railway in the park, offering rides at weekends and for special events, weather permitting. As well as train rides, the miniature railway includes a station building, platforms and workshop.

Leicester Cathedral is one of the few places outside of Westminster or Windsor to see the tomb of a British monarch. After the incredible story of the discovery of the remains of King Richard III gripped the world, 600 million people worldwide saw the last English King to die in battle be laid to rest in dignity. Leicester Cathedral lies at the heart of Leicester's Old Town. The cathedral is open for visitors and all are welcome within its doors. From the fine stained glass to the story and tomb of King Richard III, explore over 900 years of history in this peaceful and beautiful building. The tranquil Cathedral Gardens surround the cathedral. A quiet space in the heart of the city, the gardens are made up of areas of lawn, flower beds, seating areas and a water feature. The gardens are also home to two pieces of public art: the iconic bronze statue of King Richard III, commissioned by the Richard III Society in 1980, and the sculpture 'Towards Stillness' – an installation representing a timeline of the King's life, especially commissioned for the occasion of his reinternment.

This is a place where Leicester’s famed diversity shines for all to see. Filled with fantastic restaurants, jewellers and clothing shops, the Golden Mile is also home to the largest Diwali celebrations outside Asia.

Just a short walk from Leicester’s vibrant city centre is the meandering River Soar. The river boasts beautiful scenery and wildlife and was once the most profitable commercial navigation route in Britain. Today, the river extends for up to 28 miles through Leicestershire and is the perfect setting for recreational activities. It’s a breath of fresh air, revealing Leicester’s diverse landscape in the heart of the city. It is also a key wildlife spot; travel along the riverside paths and you might be lucky enough to spot otters making their homes in the area. The riverside cycle ways and footpaths provide important links across the city and beyond, forming the backbone of the National Cycle Network route 6 and providing traffic-free and quiet on-road cycling and walking routes across the county.

St Martin’s Square is a vibrant shopping, eating and enjoyable space. It's a delightful spot to while away an afternoon. The pretty courtyard is surrounded by unique independent shops, restaurants and salons; making this tranquil area a fantastic place to sit and enjoy a coffee with friends, pick up a quirky gift or to experiment with a new look.