The 10 Best Sights & Landmarks in Leicestershire, England

Leicester is privileged to have one of the best-preserved timber framed halls in the country dating back 600 years. The Guildhall is a historic building and the oldest building still in use in the city. It was Leicester’s first police station and between 1876 and the 1900’s and saw many unsavoury characters pass through its doors. The Great Hall itself was built in about 1390 as a meeting place for the Guild of Corpus Christi (a small but powerful group of businessmen and gentry) and it’s also believed that Shakespeare performed here during Tudor times. Today, the Guildhall is best known as an excellent performance venue, attracting acts from across the country. It’s also known as a museum where visitors can step back in time and come face to face with Crankie Gemmie and Emma Smith, two of Leicester's notorious pick-pockets who can be found lurking in the Victorian police cells. The museum is also home to the Medieval Leicester galleries and The White Rose Cafe.

Set on a hill overlooking five counties, Rockingham Castle was built by William the Conqueror. The Castle was a royal residence for 450 years. In the 16th Century Henry VIII granted it to Edward Watson and for 450 years it has remained a family home. The pre-dominantly Tudor building, within Norman walls, has architecture, furniture and works of art from practically every century including, unusually, a remarkable collection of 20th century pictures. Twelve acres of formal and wild garden command splendid views over the surrounding countryside. The Castle is open to day visitors on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays from Easter through to September and from June on Tuesdays as well. Groups are welcome on open days or by pre-arrangement for a private guided tour on weekdays. The beautifully appointed Castle Gift Shop is situated in the courtyard along with our licensed Walkers House Tearooms which serve lunches, cream teas and wonderful homemade cakes.