We are thrilled to share some incredible news. The King Richard III Visitor Centre has been named a finalist in the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2025, competing in the Small Visitor Attraction of the Year category! This recognition is a testament to the dedication of our team and the lasting impact of King Richard III’s story.
And that’s not all, we’ve just welcomed our 500,000th visitor! This incredible milestone is proof of the lasting fascination with the story of King Richard III and the passion of those who visit us to uncover history.
We are thrilled to share some incredible news. The King Richard III Visitor Centre has been named a finalist in the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2025, competing in the Small Visitor Attraction of the Year category! This recognition is a testament to the dedication of our team and the lasting impact of King Richard III’s story.
And that’s not all, we’ve just welcomed our 500,000th visitor! This incredible milestone is proof of the lasting fascination with the story of King Richard III and the passion of those who visit us to uncover history.
Since opening in 2014, we’ve welcomed thousands of visitors eager to uncover the most incredible archaeological detective story ever told...the discovery of King Richard III’s remains beneath a Leicester car park. The chance to represent this historic moment on a national stage is an honour we cherish.
"To be nominated for such a prestigious national award is an incredible achievement for the King Richard III Visitor Centre. It reflects the dedication of our team and the support of our visitors, who are just as passionate about Richard III’s story as we are." – Phillip Hackett, King Richard III Centre Manager
Leicester Shines on the National Stage
We’re not the only ones celebrating, our friends at the National Space Centre have also made it to the finals, competing for Large Visitor Attraction of the Year! From the White Boar emblem of King Richard III to the Red Dwarfs of deep space, Leicester continues to prove itself as a must-visit destination for history, heritage, and science.
"We have been the regional Large Visitor Attraction of The Year on several occasions. But this is the first time in our history that we have been short-listed for the national award. We couldn’t be prouder of our Centre and the people here who have made this possible, and of everyone who has ever visited us, supported us and come to learn more about space with us.” Chas Bishop, Chief Executive Officer
A Win for Leicester and Leicestershire
The announcement of these nominations is a huge moment for the region, reinforcing Leicester and Leicestershire’s reputation as a top tourist destination. This recognition highlights the diverse and remarkable visitor experiences that make the city and county so special, drawing national attention to our rich history and cultural significance.
"This is great news for Leicester and Leicestershire. Leicestershire Promotions has been running the Tourism & Hospitality Awards for the last 14 years and we’re delighted every time our regional winners make it through to the Visit England national awards. Entering the awards can be transformational for businesses. The support and guidance available to them has a lasting impact and winning the regional heats and getting through to the finals is the icing on the cake. We can’t wait to celebrate together at the national awards in June." Martin Peters, Chief Executive, Leicestershire Promotions
Onwards to the Finals!
With over 350 regional winners competing across categories, reaching the top three nationally is an achievement we are incredibly proud of. The winners will be announced at a prestigious VisitEngland ceremony in Brighton this June, and we’ll be keeping our fingers crossed!
Stay tuned for the results, and in the meantime, come and visit us. There’s always something new to discover in Leicester!