Leicester Tourist Attractions
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Leicester, county town of Leicestershire, is a modern commercial and industrial center with a long history. It is situated on the River Soar in a region of great scenic attraction.
Clock Tower
In the center of Leicester is the clock tower from 1866 with figures of Leicester's four principal benefactors.
St Nicholas's Circle
From the Clock Tower in Leicester's city center the High Street continues to Nicholas's Circle, the oldest church in the city, with a Norman tower, a Saxon nave and Roman bricks.
Jewry Wall Museum and Site
Close to the west end of St Nicholas's Circle is the Jewry Wall, 79ft/24m long and 18ft/5.5m high, a relic of Roman occupation. Adjoining this are the excavations of the Roman forum and the remains of baths. Beautiful mosaic floors and paving stones are on display in the neighboring Museum of Roman Antiquities.
Roger Wygston's House
Situated on St Nicholas's Circle, Applegate, is the 15th century Roger Wygston's House with a 18th century facade, now a costume museum.
Castle
Practically nothing remains of Leicester Castle apart from the earth mound probably left by the Normans. Parts of the Great Hall and the cellars are incorporated in the 18th century County Hall.
St Mary de Castro Church
The church of St Mary de Castro in Castle Street, built in 1107, is partly Norman and partly Early English in style, and originally served the castle. It has a Late-Norman choir and a fine Early English baptistery.
Trinity Hospital
The Turret Gateway (1432) leads to Trinity Hospital (an almshouse founded in 1331 and rebuilt in 1901).
Newarke Houses Museum
The Newarke Houses Museum is devoted to the historical development of local industry, clocks and towers.
The Magazine
In Oxford Street in the porter's lodge is "The Magazine" (early 15th century), a museum dedicated to the Royal Leicestershire Regiment.
St Martin's Cathedral
Situated in the High Street is St Martin's (Early English and Perpendicular style) which was raised to cathedral status in 1919. Inside is an ornate tomb designed by Joshua Marshall in 1656.
Guildhall
In Silver Street stands the Guildhall, a 14th century half-timbered building, which in the Middle Ages belonged to the Corpus Christi guild. During the 15-16th centuries the guildhall was rebuilt in Tudor style; since the 17th century it has been a town hall.
Codex Leicestrensis
Next to Leicester's Great Hall there is a notable library dating from 1587 with the Codex Leicestrensis among its treasures, a precious Greek manuscript of the New Testament (15th century).
Museum & Art Gallery
The pedestrianized New Walk leads to the Leicester municipal museum and art gallery with works by European masters from the 15th century, including famous German expressionists and French Impressionists, an interesting collection of ceramics, glass and silver and an extensive natural history department about Leicestershire.
Belgrave Hall Museum
Belgrave Hall in Leicester's Church Road built 1709-1713 in Queen Anne style has a fine collection of historic coaches and agricultural equipment.
Charles Moore Collection
Adjoining the university library (University Road) the Charles Moore Collection of Wind Instruments opened in 1981 has exhibitions of instruments from the 18th and 19th centuries.
St Margaret's Church
St Margaret's church on St Margaret's Way was originally part of the prebend of the bishop of Lincoln. Built in the 13th century the church was widely reconstructed in the 15th century. in Late-Gothic style. There is notable 19th century stained glass by Thomas Willement.
Augustinian Abbey Ruins
A walk through Abbey Park takes in the ruins of a former Augustinian abbey founded in 1143. On its foundations the count of Huntingdon built Cavendish House, which was destroyed in the Civil War.
Museum of Technology
The Leicestershire Museum of Technology housed in a former pumping works (1891) in Corporation Road contains, among other exhibits, four balanced steam engines and a historical transport collection.
Kirby Muxloe Castle
Kirby Muxloe Castle is an English Heritage property. The castle was begun by William, Lord Hastings in 1480 but was left unfinished after Richard III had him executed for treason.
Lyddington - Bede House
Lyddington Bede House is an English Heritage property located in Lyddington. This was originally a medieval palace of the Bishops of Lincoln, and was later converted into an almshouse.
National Space Centre
The National Space Centre is dedicated to space science and astronomy. Exhibits include five differently themed galleries including space rockets, satellites and capsules, as well as hundreds of interactive hands-on activities.
University (Engineering Building)
The Engineering Building of Leicester University was completed in 1959 by the architects Stirling and Gowan.Original and irregular in form, this building departed from the norms established by the Great Masters of the modern period.
Stoke Golding
This village lies south of the Bosworth Field battle field. It has an early Decorated church.
Shackerstone
Schackerstone is the beginning of the Battlefield Line Rail Route. You can catch a steam or diesel train from the Shackerstone Station to the Bosworth Battle Field. The rail station also has a museum of railway collectibles.
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