Leicestershire Heritage Attractions

Heritage sites such as castles, Roman remains, stately homes & gardens, cathedrals, country houses, historic monuments, etc in Leicestershire...

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 organisations like National Trust or English/Scottish Heritage. Please help us make this guide comprehensive by sending us details of missing attractions.

Leicestershire Ancient Monuments, Castles, Roman Forts, Battlefield Sites, etc

Kirby Muxloe Castle -- Quadrangular Glory in Brick and Water

Oakcroft Ave, Kirby Muxloe, Leicester, LE9‎ 2DH
Tel: 0116 238 6886‎

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. More...

Kirby Muxloe Castle Photo © Tim Hallam
Kirby Muxloe Castle -
Photo: Tim Hallam CCL

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'.

Belvoir Castle

Belvoir, Grantham, Leicestershire, NG32 1PD
Tel: 01476 871 002 Fax: 01476 870443
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.

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.

[Back to top]

Leicestershire Stately Homes, Country Houses & Gardens

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.

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 Whatton House Gardens in Loughborough, Leicestershire see our website.

Donington-le-Heath Manor House

Manor Road, Donington-Le-Heath, Coalville, Leicestershire, LE67 2FW
Tel: 01530 831259 E-mail: dlhmanorhouse@leics.gov.uk Web: www.leics.gov.uk/donington

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.

[Back to top]

Leicestershire Cathedrals, Historic Churches, Abbeys

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

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.

Leicester Cathedral

The Cathedral Centre, 21 St. Martin's, Leicester, LE1 5DE
Tel: 0116 261520 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.

Leicestershire Historic Churches Trust

Mrs Janet C. Arthur, 20 Gumley Road, Smeeton Westerby, Leicestershire, LE8 0LT
Tel: 0116 279 3995
E-mail: chairman@lhct.org.uk Web: www.lhct.org.uk

An organization dedicated to the preservation of historic churches in Leicestershire. Includes many links to churches of interest.

[Back to top]

If you would like to advertise your tourist attraction in this section please see our Advertising page or
CONTACT TOURIST NET UK