Visiting Leicester - What to do and see?
Visiting Leicester - What to do and see?
Where is Leicester?
Leicester is in the heart of England, a phrase that we use to describe something that is in the centre of something, and Leicester is in a region called the East Midlands, which is in the middle of England. If you are travelling from London, it takes about two and a half hours to drive, but if you travel by train it will take just over one hour. East Midlands Airport is just under thirty minutes away but, mainly, only has flights to cities in western Europe. You may have to fly to Birmingham, which is about an hour away, or London airports such as Heathrow or Luton. Before you read the rest of the article, click on the map above and plan your route to Leicester from your city. How long would it take? What type of transport would you have to use?
Why are more people visiting Leicester?
Leicester has gone football crazy, or barmy as you can see in the newspaper headline in the photo above, and Leicester's multicultural team has encouraged more visitors to come and visit the most multicultural city in the UK. There have been large groups of Italian and Japanese tourists in the city but there has been an increase in numbers from countries all over the world. They want to sample a match at the King Power Stadium or walk around the city and feel the atmosphere that has been created by Leicester's famous Premier League win. During the season, there was a campaign started by a Leicester radio station and a local newspaper, it was called #BackingtheBlues. The idea of the campaign was to turn the city blue in honour of Leicester City. Shop windows and market stalls were decorated in blue and Leicester City paraphernalia, the city's cathedral glowed blue at night and famous statues in the city were dressed in Leicester City scarves. In Leicester, you could suddenly buy Leicester City themed sausages, coffee, beer, pies and cakes; you can see some of these locally produced items in the photos below.
What is the history of Leicester?
It's not only football that brings tourists to Leicester. The city is one of the oldest in the UK and has a history that goes back more than two thousand years. One of the biggest characters in Leicester's history is King Richard III. He lived in the 15th century and his death in the Battle of Bosworth near Leicester (see photo above) marked the end of the Middle Ages in England. A hundred years later, Richard III's life was made into a play by William Shakespeare. The connection between King Richard III doesn't end with his death. His body was believed to have been thrown in a river, but 500 years later, a team from Leicester University discovered the king's body. It was confirmed by experts that the remains were those of King Richard III, and, in 2015, he was reburied in the cemetery at Leicester's cathedral. The new grave is now a huge tourist attraction and is seen as one of the top 25 new tourist attractions to see in the world.
What to do in Leicester?
So, the King Power Stadium for a Leicester City match might be your priority, you might also want to visit Leicester Cathedral to see King Richard III's tomb and the visitor's centre next to the cathedral. But, what else is there to see in Leicester? Well, Leicester is also home to the UK's national space centre. The National Space Centre hosts the UK's largest planetarium, a 3D space simulator and a 42 metre high Rocket Tower. This should be on anybody's agenda if you're in the city for a short or long stay. Leicester also has five museums, they focus on local history, archaeology, science and technology so there should be something for everyone. The current exhibition at New Walk Museum in Leicester city centre is called Fearless Foxes and tells the story about how Leicester City went from relegation favourites in 2015 to Premier League Champions in 2016.
What about shopping?
Like most cities in the UK, shopping is one of the most popular activities to do at the weekend. Leicester has two big, indoor shopping centres where you can find the biggest brands and best products. If you're looking for something more traditional, take a walk around Leicester Market, which is Europe's biggest covered market and has been officially recognised as the UK's favourite market. If you look closely, you will find Lineker's; a market stall that is owned by the father of Gary Lineker, who was top scorer in the 1986 World Cup and a well-known TV celebrity in the UK and one of Leicester City's biggest celebrity fans. Leicester is also home to the Golden Mile, which is a huge Indian area of Leicester. Here you will find jewellery, clothes, spices and some of the best Indian food outside India. The Diwali celebrations in Leicester, which is the biggest Hindu celebration, are the biggest outside of India and this area of the city becomes a sea of light and colour.
What to eat and drink in Leicester?
After all that shopping, you might be tired. If coffee is your thing, you could go to Bru Coffee, a cafe in the centre of Leicester. They do fantastic cakes, coffee, tea and ice cream, but if you want a Leicester City flavour to your coffee, then this is the place for you. For £2.15, you can buy a Vardyccino, which is a cappuccino with chocolate in the shape of Jamie Vardy's head sprinkled on top. If you want to eat something more than just a coffee and a cake, Leicester has a great range of restaurants. There are lots of Indian and Italian restaurants in the city if you want a pizza or Britain's favourite food (a curry), but you willl also find Chinese, Spanish, Lebanese, Japanese, Moroccan, Turkish and Thai, so there should be something for everyone. But, if you just want a snack, why don't you buy a packet of 'Vardy Salted' crisps. A limited edition flavour of crisp was produced by Walkers, which is a crisp factory based in Leicester and a big employer in the local area. What do you think they taste like?
What to do at night in Leicester?
Leicester has a number of theatres, cinemas and concert venues and there is always something happening on a night out in Leicester. The Curve theatre in the heart of Leicester's cultural quarter is a state of the art theatre that has some of the country's best plays, there are four multi-screen cinemas that offer all the Hollywood blockbusters but also independent movies and foreign language films. I think the Jamie Vardy Movie will be very popular here. As Leicester has a big student population, there are lots of live music venues and comedy clubs. The rock band Kasabian are from Leicester and also performed at Leicester City's Premier League celebrations. If you want something a bit quieter, you could also enjoy a pint of Vardy's Volley in one of Leicester's many traditional pubs.
How to get a ticket?
After Leicester City's success this season, it might be a little more difficult to get a ticket from next season. Some of the tickets for Leicester's final match of the season (against Everton) were being sold on the black market for up to £15,000! This of course is illegal and the club have said they will ban anybody who tries to re-sell match tickets. On the other hand, season tickets at Leicester are one of the best value in the Premier League, last season you could buy one for £365, which works out at less than £20 per match. If you are only going to be in Leicester for a short time, however, the best thing to do is to go to the ticket office at the King Power Stadium or try to buy a ticket online from the official Leicester City website. If you want some help with the language you need to buy a ticket, or the process, have a look at this email lesson we made for you a few months ago.
How much did you understand?
Vocabulary
In the article, we used some vocabulary that might be new for you. Try the activity below to see how much you understood:
Comprehension
In the article, there were many different things to learn about Leicester. In this activity, try and put things in the right category.
For £2.15, you can buy a Vardyccino, which is a cappuccino with chocolate, in the shape of Jamie Vardy's head, sprinkled on top!
Quiz
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What do you think?
There was a lot of information about Leicester in this article. We've got some questions for you below, let us know what you think.
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Would you like to visit Leicester? What would you like to do? What would you like to see?
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Does any of the information about Leicester surprise you? It's the most multicultural city in the UK. Curry is the most popular food in the UK. King Richard III was found after 500 years.
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Leicester has gone crazy about its football team. Would this happen in a small city in your country? Would you try a Vardyccino or a pint of Vardy's Volley or would you prefer a nice cup of tea?
Leave a comment
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Comentários
16/01/2023
points
1. Would you like to visit Leicester? What would you like to do? What would you like to see?
After this article, I surely want to organize a trip to Leicester! I'd like to visit the National Space Centre, since I'm really interested in everything that concerns space and astronomy, and the different kinds of museums the city offers.
2. Does any of the information about Leicester surprise you? It's the most multicultural city in the UK. Curry is the most popular food in the UK. King Richard III was found after 500 years.
Honestly, I didn't think it was the most multicultural city in the UK (I believed it was London, maybe I've taken it for granted)!
3. Leicester has gone crazy about its football team. Would this happen in a small city in your country? Would you try a Vardyccino or a pint of Vardy's Volley or would you prefer a nice cup of tea?
This would definitely happen. I remember when Leicester won the national title and everyone here in Italy was very surprised and admired what this team had achieved.
If I had been to Leicester, I would have tried a pint of Vardy's Volley, as I really like beer.
16/01/2023 14:37
Leicester City
326
1. Would you like to visit Leicester? What would you like to do? What would you like to see?
After this article, I surely want to organize a trip to Leicester! I'd like to visit the National Space Centre, since I'm really interested in everything that concerns space and astronomy, and the different kinds of museums the city offers.
2. Does any of the information about Leicester surprise you? It's the most multicultural city in the UK. Curry is the most popular food in the UK. King Richard III was found after 500 years.
Honestly, I didn't think it was the most multicultural city in the UK (I believed it was London, maybe I've taken it for granted)!
3. Leicester has gone crazy about its football team. Would this happen in a small city in your country? Would you try a Vardyccino or a pint of Vardy's Volley or would you prefer a nice cup of tea?
This would definitely happen. I remember when Leicester won the national title and everyone here in Italy was very surprised and admired what this team had achieved.
If I had been to Leicester, I would have tried a pint of Vardy's Volley, as I really like beer.
20/05/2022
points
If I'd been in the Leicester City I'd try Foxesccino.' I'd also like to visit covered market,cathedral, space center and stadium.
Some information about city really surprised me such being as oldest region historically ,having biggest covered market in the Europe.
In my country this year one of city team Trabzonspor FC. become champion of "Super Lig" after (38) years. All the city has gone crazy. Fans have been celebreting for weeks.
Phrase;
My hometown almost in the heart of my country and just under three hours away from my city.
20/05/2022 10:25
Tottenham Hotspur
5551
If I'd been in the Leicester City I'd try Foxesccino.' I'd also like to visit covered market,cathedral, space center and stadium.
Some information about city really surprised me such being as oldest region historically ,having biggest covered market in the Europe.
In my country this year one of city team Trabzonspor FC. become champion of "Super Lig" after (38) years. All the city has gone crazy. Fans have been celebreting for weeks.
Phrase;
My hometown almost in the heart of my country and just under three hours away from my city.
17/04/2022
points
Amazing city
17/04/2022 15:20
Liverpool
492
Amazing city
15/03/2022
points
Definitely visit Leicester, some day. All the things to do, to see and to try are fantastic.
15/03/2022 22:37
Liverpool
54
Definitely visit Leicester, some day. All the things to do, to see and to try are fantastic.
31/03/2021
points
Yes, I do. I would like to do, see and try everything that you've pointed by the article.
Yes, actually everything did! I had no idea that Leicester would be such a privileged city to visit.
This situation happened in 2000, at São Caetano. When I gone to Leicester, I would like to try a pint of Vardy's Volley.
31/03/2021 16:17
Arsenal
1512
Yes, I do. I would like to do, see and try everything that you've pointed by the article.
Yes, actually everything did! I had no idea that Leicester would be such a privileged city to visit.
This situation happened in 2000, at São Caetano. When I gone to Leicester, I would like to try a pint of Vardy's Volley.
30/06/2020
points
Very good
30/06/2020 03:41
Newcastle United
1505
Very good
30/06/2020
points
Ok
30/06/2020 03:39
Newcastle United
1505
Ok
13/05/2020
points
That will definitely happen if our local team , Göztepe , won the Super Lig here in Turkey
People here in Izmir would go bananas :))
13/05/2020 06:53
Manchester United
6524
That will definitely happen if our local team , Göztepe , won the Super Lig here in Turkey
People here in Izmir would go bananas :))
13/05/2020
points
Yes for sure knowing that it's the most multicultural city in the UK
I thought it is London or Birmingham
13/05/2020 06:51
Manchester United
6524
Yes for sure knowing that it's the most multicultural city in the UK
I thought it is London or Birmingham
13/05/2020
points
I do like to visit Leicester but visiting Manchester is my priority for my club and then Leeds for my new girlfriend
I'd like to try the Vardiccino and visit the Space Centre as I think it will be so much fun :)
13/05/2020 06:50
Manchester United
6524
I do like to visit Leicester but visiting Manchester is my priority for my club and then Leeds for my new girlfriend
I'd like to try the Vardiccino and visit the Space Centre as I think it will be so much fun :)
26/11/2019
points
Yes, the king power stadium
26/11/2019 01:59
Wolverhampton Wanderers
435
Yes, the king power stadium
19/11/2019
points
Leicester is a great city. Not only I want to visit it, but I have also planned to attend Leicester University because there is an interesting program about language which I pretend to get enrolled in. I'd like to visit every corner of the town, the stadium, the Space Center, the Cathedral, the market, and many other places.
What has surprised me is that King Richards remains are in Leicester, that's history, it means a lot for mankind.
I live in Barinas, Venezuela, we also have a football team that has started to make a name in the international arena. They have won three national championships and when they won the first many people went to receive them meanwhile they arrived in the city.
19/11/2019 01:21
Liverpool
581
Leicester is a great city. Not only I want to visit it, but I have also planned to attend Leicester University because there is an interesting program about language which I pretend to get enrolled in. I'd like to visit every corner of the town, the stadium, the Space Center, the Cathedral, the market, and many other places.
What has surprised me is that King Richards remains are in Leicester, that's history, it means a lot for mankind.
I live in Barinas, Venezuela, we also have a football team that has started to make a name in the international arena. They have won three national championships and when they won the first many people went to receive them meanwhile they arrived in the city.
09/11/2016
points
Why Leicester City won the champion?
09/11/2016 12:43
Hull City AFC
372
Why Leicester City won the champion?
30/03/2019
points
They have played well than other teams.
30/03/2019 03:08
Chelsea
1749
They have played well than other teams.
09/11/2016
points
Hi Arsenal Cris
Welcome to Premier Skills English!
It's a good question. Leicester's victory surprised a lot of people!
Rich - The Premier Skills English Team
09/11/2016 14:28
Liverpool
594
Hi Arsenal Cris
Welcome to Premier Skills English!
It's a good question. Leicester's victory surprised a lot of people!
Rich - The Premier Skills English Team
02/08/2016
points
I'm from Leicester to 2282 kilometres. If I travelled in car I would spend 24 hours! Correct me
02/08/2016 20:14
Arsenal
951
I'm from Leicester to 2282 kilometres. If I travelled in car I would spend 24 hours! Correct me
02/08/2016
points
Hi Davilillons
I have no problems understanding your message but it would be better to say something like:
Rich - The Premier Skills English Team
02/08/2016 21:22
Liverpool
594
Hi Davilillons
I have no problems understanding your message but it would be better to say something like:
Rich - The Premier Skills English Team
25/07/2016
points
I do not think that this can happen in my country, I would like to have a cup of tea.
25/07/2016 18:35
Liverpool
3705
I do not think that this can happen in my country, I would like to have a cup of tea.
25/07/2016
points
I think the most surprising information that King Richard was found after 500 years.
25/07/2016 18:33
Liverpool
3705
I think the most surprising information that King Richard was found after 500 years.
25/07/2016
points
Yes i would,I would like to visit King Power Stadium,I would like to go to the Diwali and I would like to have a Vardyccino.
25/07/2016 18:31
Liverpool
3705
Yes i would,I would like to visit King Power Stadium,I would like to go to the Diwali and I would like to have a Vardyccino.
25/06/2016
points
A pint of Vardy's Volley definitely. We don't really have big cities in my country, so the teams can compete easily and rarely we have one team winning the title more than twice in row.
25/06/2016 11:13
Arsenal
3557
A pint of Vardy's Volley definitely. We don't really have big cities in my country, so the teams can compete easily and rarely we have one team winning the title more than twice in row.
23/06/2016
points
‘A season ticket’ is like the ‘oyster card’ for London tube?
23/06/2016 18:46
Newcastle United
3189
‘A season ticket’ is like the ‘oyster card’ for London tube?
23/06/2016
points
Hi Haydi
When you buy a season ticket, you are paying to be able to go to every home game for the season, An oyster card is more like a credit card, only you have to put money on your account first to use it.
Thanks
Jack
23/06/2016 20:02
Arsenal
560
Hi Haydi
When you buy a season ticket, you are paying to be able to go to every home game for the season, An oyster card is more like a credit card, only you have to put money on your account first to use it.
Thanks
Jack
28/06/2016
points
Ok, I get, thank you, so season ticket is a subscription (abonnement). We already have this concept for matches, festivals, public transport (a monthly subscription for workers or a school year for students)...
28/06/2016 21:10
Newcastle United
3189
Ok, I get, thank you, so season ticket is a subscription (abonnement). We already have this concept for matches, festivals, public transport (a monthly subscription for workers or a school year for students)...
23/06/2016
points
- Vardy Salted, the new flavour of crisp must taste like Vardy, small and full of energy! A smart idea from the marketing department in Walkers.
23/06/2016 18:46
Newcastle United
3189
- Vardy Salted, the new flavour of crisp must taste like Vardy, small and full of energy! A smart idea from the marketing department in Walkers.
23/06/2016
points
[They want to sample a match at the King Power Stadium or walk around the city and feel the atmosphere that has been created by Leicester's famous Premier League win.]
The meaning of ‘to sample’ here is to experience, not tasting! It’s new meaning for me, I know the word ‘sample’ or ‘sampling’ just as a noun.
We have used to describe the sampling operation in food process to test the new products randomly.
23/06/2016 18:43
Newcastle United
3189
[They want to sample a match at the King Power Stadium or walk around the city and feel the atmosphere that has been created by Leicester's famous Premier League win.]
The meaning of ‘to sample’ here is to experience, not tasting! It’s new meaning for me, I know the word ‘sample’ or ‘sampling’ just as a noun.
We have used to describe the sampling operation in food process to test the new products randomly.
23/06/2016
points
That's right. You can use the word 'sample' as a verb. It means the same as try, but you usually use it when you're talking about something that's expensive or exotic. A nice use of this verb is 'to sample the delights of' something. This means to experience something really special, so you might say: "I was lucky enough to get the chance to sample the delights of English football at St James' Park."
23/06/2016 20:09
Arsenal
560
That's right. You can use the word 'sample' as a verb. It means the same as try, but you usually use it when you're talking about something that's expensive or exotic. A nice use of this verb is 'to sample the delights of' something. This means to experience something really special, so you might say: "I was lucky enough to get the chance to sample the delights of English football at St James' Park."
28/06/2016
points
And I was lucky enough to get the chance to sample the delights of a walk in heart London in a bit rainy day.
28/06/2016 21:11
Newcastle United
3189
And I was lucky enough to get the chance to sample the delights of a walk in heart London in a bit rainy day.
28/06/2016
points
That is the perfect way to use the phrase - with a little sarcasm.
28/06/2016 22:55
Arsenal
560
That is the perfect way to use the phrase - with a little sarcasm.
29/06/2016
points
sarcasm!!! because of the 'bit rainy day' ?
29/06/2016 00:22
Newcastle United
3189
sarcasm!!! because of the 'bit rainy day' ?
23/06/2016
points
[The amazing success of Leicester City Football Club has meant a big increase in the profile of the city and a huge increase in the number of tourists from outside the UK.]
I must keep these couple of phrases in my mind, in case I need to describe a chart or a curve or a diagram…
23/06/2016 18:42
Newcastle United
3189
[The amazing success of Leicester City Football Club has meant a big increase in the profile of the city and a huge increase in the number of tourists from outside the UK.]
I must keep these couple of phrases in my mind, in case I need to describe a chart or a curve or a diagram…
23/06/2016
points
I love this article: the description of places and things, the coherence of ideas, the writing style which like the writer speaks just to a single reader (I mean one reader, not ‘not married’), to give him some pieces of advices, etc.
The pictures help to illustrate the phenomena and let us imagine that we are right now there, in Leicester, drinking a ‘Foxesccino’. I like cappuccino!
You make me curious to visit the City, and If, one day, I do, I will take the train.
23/06/2016 18:42
Newcastle United
3189
I love this article: the description of places and things, the coherence of ideas, the writing style which like the writer speaks just to a single reader (I mean one reader, not ‘not married’), to give him some pieces of advices, etc.
The pictures help to illustrate the phenomena and let us imagine that we are right now there, in Leicester, drinking a ‘Foxesccino’. I like cappuccino!
You make me curious to visit the City, and If, one day, I do, I will take the train.
23/06/2016
points
I would like to visit Leicester also.
23/06/2016 18:02
Arsenal
3557
I would like to visit Leicester also.
23/06/2016
points
A team from a small city can't become a champion in Ukraine. Only three - four teams from big cities compete for the trophy. They usually are Dynamo Kiev, Shakhtior Donetsk, Dnipro Dnepropetrovsk, and sometimes Metallist Kharkov or Zaria Lugansk.
23/06/2016 03:34
Liverpool
6559
A team from a small city can't become a champion in Ukraine. Only three - four teams from big cities compete for the trophy. They usually are Dynamo Kiev, Shakhtior Donetsk, Dnipro Dnepropetrovsk, and sometimes Metallist Kharkov or Zaria Lugansk.
24/06/2016
points
That's what people said about the Premier League!
24/06/2016 09:26
Liverpool
594
That's what people said about the Premier League!
23/06/2016
points
Finding the remnants of Richard III is amazing !
23/06/2016 03:29
Liverpool
6559
Finding the remnants of Richard III is amazing !
23/06/2016
points
I would like to visit the King Power Stadium and see Leicester and Liverpool playing 2 : 2. :-)
23/06/2016 03:27
Liverpool
6559
I would like to visit the King Power Stadium and see Leicester and Liverpool playing 2 : 2. :-)
19/06/2016
points
I hope I can adjust to the cosmopolitan life in leicester city
19/06/2016 15:27
Manchester United
4779
I hope I can adjust to the cosmopolitan life in leicester city
16/06/2016
points
1.I would like very well to visit this City. The first place where I would come is the Cathedrale. After I would go to the Indian space and the King power stadium. Making a good Indian restaurant will be grateful after having some Vardy volleys.
2.I am asking me how this historycal City became a multicultural one. When has it happened and what population strands made it.
3.I would prefer a nice cup of tea.
16/06/2016 17:08
Manchester City
3988
1.I would like very well to visit this City. The first place where I would come is the Cathedrale. After I would go to the Indian space and the King power stadium. Making a good Indian restaurant will be grateful after having some Vardy volleys.
2.I am asking me how this historycal City became a multicultural one. When has it happened and what population strands made it.
3.I would prefer a nice cup of tea.
23/06/2016
points
Hi, Elghoul ! You should say "When did it happen" - not Present Perfect, because you say about a completed action in the PAST.
23/06/2016 03:26
Liverpool
6559
Hi, Elghoul ! You should say "When did it happen" - not Present Perfect, because you say about a completed action in the PAST.
16/06/2016
points
A cup of tea would do
16/06/2016 10:37
Manchester United
4779
A cup of tea would do
16/06/2016
points
Some small cities have won the league in ghana and their fans and communities had massive celebrations
16/06/2016 10:36
Manchester United
4779
Some small cities have won the league in ghana and their fans and communities had massive celebrations
16/06/2016
points
I didn't know the national space centre was in leicester
16/06/2016 10:35
Manchester United
4779
I didn't know the national space centre was in leicester
16/06/2016
points
Yes some information about leicester surprises me
16/06/2016 10:34
Manchester United
4779
Yes some information about leicester surprises me
16/06/2016
points
I would like to see the tomb of King Richard III
16/06/2016 10:33
Manchester United
4779
I would like to see the tomb of King Richard III
16/06/2016
points
I would like to play at the king power stadium in a friendly with the Leicester supporters in full attendance
16/06/2016 10:32
Manchester United
4779
I would like to play at the king power stadium in a friendly with the Leicester supporters in full attendance
16/06/2016
points
I would love to visit leicester
16/06/2016 10:31
Manchester United
4779
I would love to visit leicester