Attractions Nearby Leicester, Day Trips and Excursions

(Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK)

Since there is just so much to see and soak up in Leicestershire, why not choose to stay a little longer and plan some day trips to outlying attractions. Popular excursions from Leicester take in attractions such as the 13th-century Belvoir Castle close to Grantham, Calke Abbey and its extensive nature reserve park in Ticknall, the Bronze Age Centre at Peterborough, and the historic site of the Bosworth Battlefield, where in 1485 King Richard III was defeated by future king, Henry VIII.

In the nearby Market Harborough area, one of the biggest attractions is Rockingham Castle, which dates back some 450 years and features both Norman and Tudor architecture. If you enjoy the outdoors, then Leicester tourists should consider a boat trip along the canal at Stoke Golding, a day trip to the Beacon Hill Country Park at Loughborough, the water sports at the Rutland Water reservoir, or a countryside ramble through the National Park, which spans Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire, and covers approximately 200 square miles / 520 square kilometres of the Midlands.

General Information

Located just 27 km / 17 miles away and to the north-east of Leicester, the town of Melton Mowbray is just a 30-minute drive away. Leading attractions here include the Melton Carnegie Museum, where you can learn all about the history of the town's famous Melton Mowbray pork pies and Stilton tableware.

The attractions at Ashby de la Zouch are located a similar distance away, only this time to the north-west. Often simply known to Leicester locals as Ashby, the market town of Ashby de la Zouch contains a number of noteworthy attractions, such as its awesome ruins of a castle, which began its life as a 12th-century manor house and is now owned and managed by the English Heritage organisation.

Those who prefer city attractions and museums will find an incredible selection in Birmingham. This bustling city is just under 70 km / 44 miles from Leicester and is famed for its glitzy Bullring shopping centre, National Sea Life Centre, Black Country Living Museum, Birmingham and Midland Museum of Transport (BaMMOT) and expansive Botanical Gardens.

Both the cities of Coventry and Derby are slightly closer to Leicester and come with a diverse multitude of attractions. In Coventry, day trippers from Leicester often head straight to the centrally located Millennium Place, which is part of a successful and ambitious rejuvenation project. Attractions in Derby including a majestic 18th-century cathedral, the Royal Crown Derby Factory and the Museum of Industry and History, while close by and well worth investigating is the National Trust's beautiful Kedleston Hall estate.

Another very significant city under an hour away from Leicester is Nottingham, the legendary home of Robin Hood. Attractions here include Nottingham Castle, the Galleries of Justice, the National Ice Centre, Wollaton Hall, and Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem Inn, which is one of Britain's most historic and characterful public houses.