racetrack
Mallory Park
Compact lakeside circuit at Kirkby Mallory known as the 'friendly circuit', racing since 1956. Its Gerard's Bend is one of the longest, fastest corners in British motorsport.
15 km · about 25 min drive
England, United Kingdom · Europe
Leicester is worth a stop: 5 minutes from Braunstone, 50km from Warwick Castle.
Leicester is a city located in England, United Kingdom. With a population of 368,600, it is an important destination in Europe.
On a road trip, Leicester sits in United Kingdom, where you drive on the left. It's in the Europe/London time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Leicester to your route.
Leicester ( LES-tər) is a city, unitary authority area, and the county town of Leicestershire in the East Midlands of England. It is the largest city in the East Midlands with a population of 388,348 in 2024. The greater Leicester urban area had a population of 559,017 in 2021, making it the 11th most populous inRead more
England, and the 13th most populous in the United Kingdom. For three years running, the annual Good Growth for Cities Index has ranked Leicester as the best place to live and work in the East Midlands. The latest study, which is based on a range of economic factors, rated Leicester as the best performing city in the East Midlands in 2024 and 20th overall out of 52 other UK cities.
The city lies on the River Soar and is approximately 90 miles (140 km) north-northwest of London, 33 miles (53 km) east-northeast of Birmingham and 21 miles (34 km) northeast of Coventry. Nottingham and Derby lie around 21 miles (34 km) to the north and northwest respectively, whilst Peterborough is located 37 miles (60 km) to the east. Leicester is close to the eastern end of the National Forest.
Leicester has a long history extending into ancient times. The site of an Iron Age oppidum, it developed into the Roman town of Ratae Corieltauvorum following the conquest. The ruins of Ratae were later settled by the Anglo-Saxons, and then captured by the Vikings who made it one of the Five Boroughs of the Danelaw. After the Norman Conquest the town came under the authority of the Beaumont and De Montfort Earls, most notably the famous rebel Simon de Montfort. After his death in 1265 the town passed to the House of Lancaster and Leicester Castle became one of their strongholds, a royal residence when the family came to the throne in 1399. Leicester therefore became an important town in the wider nation, the meeting place of the parliaments of 1318, 1414, and 1450, and a place frequently visited by the King and his court. Most famously King Richard III spent his last days in the town before his death at the Battle of Bosworth and was buried there in August 1485. In the Early Modern era Puritanism flourished in Leicester and the town was a supporter of the Parliamentarian cause in the Civil War. In the Victorian age the town became known for its hosiery and shoe manufacturing industries. It also rapidly expanded in population and size eventually gaining city status in 1919. Since the mid-20th century, immigration from countries of the British Commonwealth has seen Leicester become an ethnically diverse city, and one of the largest urban centres of the Midlands.
Leicester is at the intersection of two railway lines: the Midland Main Line and the Birmingham to London Stansted Airport line. It is also at the confluence of the M1/M69 motorways and the A6/A46 trunk routes. Leicester Cathedral is home to the new tomb of Richard III who was reburied in the cathedral in 2015 after being discovered nearby in the foundations of the lost Greyfriars chapel, more than 500 years after his death. In sporting terms, the city of Leicester is home to football club Leicester City, rugby club Leicester Tigers, basketball team Leicester Riders, the Leicester City Hockey Club, and the Leicestershire County Cricket Club. In 1996, a statue was erected in the city centre to commemorate the success of the city's sporting teams in this year. In 2016, Leicester was named as the UK's Greatest Sporting City, and in 2008, it was named as a European City of Sport.
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Leicester offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
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Leicester is located in England, United Kingdom, Europe. The coordinates are 52.6386 latitude, -1.1317 longitude.
Leicester has a population of approximately 368,600 people, making it a city in United Kingdom.
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Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United Kingdom8 notable places within an hour's drive.
racetrack
Compact lakeside circuit at Kirkby Mallory known as the 'friendly circuit', racing since 1956. Its Gerard's Bend is one of the longest, fastest corners in British motorsport.
15 km · about 25 min drive
museum
World's largest collection of Grand Prix racing cars spanning from the 1930s to modern F1 at Donington Park circuit.
27 km · about 30 min drive
museum
Houses the world's largest publicly owned collection of British road transport, including land speed record holders.
36 km · about 40 min drive
landmark
Jaguar Land Rover's dedicated classic vehicle facility in Coventry where heritage models are restored and reimagined.
38 km · about 45 min drive
landmark
The world's largest collection of British motorcycles with over 1,000 machines spanning a century of manufacturing near Solihull.
47 km · about 55 min drive
landmark
Off-road driving experience at Jaguar Land Rover's headquarters on a purpose-built terrain course.
48 km · about 55 min drive
castle
A medieval castle built by William the Conqueror in 1068, situated on the banks of the River Avon in Warwickshire.
50 km · about 60 min drive
museum
Interactive museum in Ambergate telling the story of the British car industry through 130+ vehicles, from Austin 7 to Aston Martin: many of which you can actually drive on site.
53 km · about 60 min drive
April to October
Other places to explore near Leicester.
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