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Leicestershire (incl. Rutland) - Castles, Cathedrals,
Monuments,
Stately Homes & Palaces
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Since the stone age, man has been
creating majestic structures that we still marvel at
today.
Whether you are interested in ancient monuments,
battlefield sites,
re-enactments,
Roman and Norman forts and castles, Stately Homes, Country Houses, Historic
Cathedrals, Ruined Abbeys etc, this is the page that
should give you the information you need.
Here we try to list properties in
private ownership but open to the public (even if only
occasionally) as well as those in the care of the
National Trust or English/Scottish Heritage.
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We know that not all the
properties in Leicestershire (incl. Rutland) are listed.
Please help us
make this guide comprehensive by giving details of
missing attractions
here.
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Kirby Muxloe Castle --
Quadrangular Glory in Brick and Water
Oakcroft Ave, Kirby
Muxloe, Leicester, LE9 2DH
Tel: 0116
238 6886
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Situated just four miles
due west of Leicester is Kirby Muxloe, where
one of England's most evocative ruins graces
the countryside.
Constructed with 100,000 bricks fired on site
rather than with locally quarried stone, Kirby
Muxloe Castle gleams a fiery red on sun-filled
days, the moat reflecting the brilliance of
the brickwork contrasted with the green lawns.
Often characterized as a fortified manor
rather than a true castle, Kirby Muxloe was
one of the earliest brickwork castles erected
in England but was also one of the last of its
type, a quadrangular castle, to be built.
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Kirby Muxloe Castle -
Photo:
Tim Hallam
CCL |
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Ashby-de-la-Zouch Castle
South Street, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire,
LE65 1BR
Tel: 01530 413343
E-mail:
customers@english-heritage.org.uk
The ruins of a medieval castle, which was a
royalist stronghold and the original setting for
many of the scenes in Sir Walter Scott's classic
tale 'Ivanhoe'.
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Belvoir Castle
Belvoir, Grantham, Leicestershire, NG32 1PD
Tel: 01476 871 002 Fax:
01476 871 018
E-mail:
info@belvoircastle.com
Web:
www.belvoircastle.com
Home of the Duke and Duchess of Rutland, the
current incarnation of Belvoir Castle was
completed in the early 19th century after
previous buildings were damaged or destroyed due
to the War of the Roses, the Civil War and a
major fire in 1816.
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Rockingham Castle
Rockingham, Market Harborough, Leicestershire,
LE16 8TH
Tel: 01536 770240 Fax:
01536 771692
E-mail:
estateoffice@rockinghamcastle.com
Web:
www.rockinghamcastle.com
William the Conqueror ordered Rockingham Castle
to be built over 900 years in the past.
Today the castle is owned by the Watson family,
just one of two owners throughout history.
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Staunton Harold Church
Staunton Harold, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, LE65 1RW
Tel: 01332 863822 (Calke Abbey) Fax:
01332 865272
E-mail:
stauntonharold@nationaltrust.org.uk
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Imposing church built in
1653, with fine panelled interior.
Set in attractive parkland, this is one of the
few churches built between the outbreak of the
English Civil War and the restoration of the
monarchy, representing an open act of defiance
to Cromwell’s Puritan regime by its creator,
Sir Robert Shirley.
The interior retains its original 17th-century
cushions, carved woodwork and painted
ceilings. |
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Staunton Harold Church -
Photo:
Tammy Winand
CCL |
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Leicester Cathedral
The Cathedral Centre, 21 St. Martin's,
Leicester, LE1 5DE
Tel: 0116 248 7400 Fax:
0116 248 7470
E-mail:
leicestercathedral@leccofe.org
Web:
www.cathedral.leicester.anglican.org
The Normans built the original church 900 years
ago. Rebuilt and enlarged between the 13th and
15th centuries it became the 'Civic Church' with
strong links with the merchants and guilds
(Guildhall). Further restoration and building
took place just over 100 years ago by the
Victorian Architect, Raphael Brandon, who was
responsible for the addition of a 220ft spire.
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Leicestershire Historic
Churches Trust
Mrs Janet C. Arthur, 20 Gumley Road, Smeeton
Westerby, Leicestershire, LE8 0LT
Tel: 0116 279 3995
E-mail:
chairman@leicshistoricchurches.org.uk
Web: www.leicshistoricchurches.org.uk
An organization dedicated to the preservation of
historic churches in Leicestershire.
Includes many links to churches of interest.
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STANFORD HALL
Lutterworth, Leicestershire, LE17 6DH
Tel: 01788 860250
Fax: 01788 860870
E-mail:
enquiries@stanfordhall.co.uk
Web:
www.stanfordhall.co.uk
Stanford Hall was built
in the 1690s for Sir Roger Cave who commissioned
the Smiths of Warwick to pull down the original
Manor House and build the present day Hall.
Stanford Hall is a fine example of their work
and of the William and Mary period.
It is still home to his
descendants and is one of the most exquisite
examples of the architecture of the period.
After visiting the Hall, why not take in the
walled Rose Garden, Old Forge, Craft Workshop
(open most Sundays), and perhaps the beautiful
14th Century St Nicholas Church which has
exceptionally interesting family monuments and
wonderful stained glass. The Stables Cafe is the
perfect place to relax serving Home-made cakes,
scones and Cream Teas.
For further details about Stanford Hall in
Lutterworth, Leicestershire please visit our
website.
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WHATTON HOUSE GARDENS
Whatton House, Loughborough, Leicestershire,
LE12 5BG
Tel/Fax: 01509 842268
E-mail:
whattho@tiscali.co.uk
Web:
www.whattongardens.co.uk
Home of Lord and Lady
Crawshaw. Based just outside of Kegworth in
North Leicestershire, close to Nottingham East
Midlands Airport and Charnwood Forest, Whatton
Gardens offers a horticultural adventure for
those with an eye for the rare and unusual.
There are fifteen acres of
gardens with many interesting and unique
features: spring bulbs, woodland garden,
ornamental ponds, ancient trees, expansive
lawns, herbaceous border, old fashioned rose
garden and arboretum.
For further details about these gardens in
Loughborough, Leicestershire see our website.
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Donington-le-Heath Manor
House
Manor Road, Donington-Le-Heath, Coalville,
Leicestershire, LE67 2FW
Tel/Fax: 01530 831259
E-mail:
dlhmanorhouse@leics.gov.uk
Built during the late 13th century by Robert de
Herle. Today the house is known for its
series of monthly events that use re-enactment,
crafts, hands-on activities and specialist
demonstrations to interpret Leicestershire's
history and archaeology.
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To join or recommend an establishment to
us, please
contact Tourist Net UK
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