There are lots of interesting things to see and do while you are visiting Leicester.
We’ve included some Richard III related ideas below, but for more information, please ask one of our team, as we are also home to Visit Leicester the Tourist Information Centre, our team can provide information on everything and anything to see and do, eat and drink, shop, visit or stay, in Leicester, the place where tourism began.
Discover more of King Richard III’s story and medieval Leicester
Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre & Country Park
The site where the last English King to die in battle occurred. We sell a fantastic value Joint Ticket for both the King Richard III Visitor Centre and the Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre, ask at the ticket desk at either venue. Find out more here.
Richard III Walking Trail
Why not try the King Richard III self-guided walking trail? These are available from the Visitor Centre gift shop for £2 or can be downloaded here for Free
Leicester Cathedral
Leicester Cathedral sits opposite the King Richard III Visitor Centre and is home to the final resting place of the King and is open to the public and holds religious services daily. Find out more here. The Cathedral has been undergoing major refurbishment since January 2022, and re-opened on the 26th of November 2023. Find out more about the ongoing works here.
Richard III Cathedral Tours
The Cathedral offer a Richard III Tour on Wednesdays at 11:30am and on Saturdays at 11:30am and 2:30pm - They also host tours on Thursdays at 11:30am on subjects such as Carved in Stone, Evolution of Medicine, Prayer & Pilgrimage. Tickets cost £3.50 per person and can be booked in advance or on the day at their welcome desk.
The Guildhall
The Guildhall dates back to medieval times and would have been a building of importance during the time of King Richard III. Find out more here.
Richard III Statue
A bronze statue depicting Richard III was commissioned by the Richard III Society in 1980. It once stood in Castle Gardens, but was relocated to Cathedral Gardens, outside the King Richard III Visitor Centre in time for our opening in 2014.
Bow Bridge
The present Bow Bridge replaced an earlier medieval structure over which King Richard III rode on his way to battle in Bosworth. The present bridge, built in 1861, depicts the White Rose of York, the Tudor Rose, the City of Leicester cinquefoil emblem, Richard’s White Boar emblem and his motto “Loyaulte me lie” (loyalty binds me).
The Magazine Gateway
The gateway, built around 1410, would once have been the entrance to the religious precinct called the Newarke, and was once called the Newarke Gateway. Today it is known as the Magazine Gateway in reference to its use as a gunpowder store during the English Civil War. Tours can be arranged via the Newarke Houses Museum team.
Leicester Castle & Castle Park
The motte-and-bailey castle was built in about 1068, and became the centre of power for the first Norman overlord of Leicester, Hugh de Grandmesnil. In 1107, Robert de Beaumont, first Earl of Leicester is thought to have replaced the timber defences with stone and also founded a college of canons (community of priests) in the church of St Mary de Castro in the Castle's bailey. What remains of the castle are home to De Montfort University's Business School and the grounds are now the beautiful Castle Gardens, open to the public every day and home to the Riverside Festival in May each year.
Leicester Heritage Trails
Over 300 Heritage Panels have been installed across the city and you can visit them with our self-guided walking trail? These are available from the Visitor Centre gift shop for £5 or can be downloaded here for Free