Leicester

North West Leicestershire is home to the flourishing National Forest with stunning landscapes, ancient woodland, and wildlife habitats.
A great way to experience the diverse landscape of Leicestershire is through one of the many walking trails, with its well signposted footpaths and quiet country lanes. Horse lovers have a choice of over thirty registered riding centres.
Some of the most attractive villages in England can be discovered on the Leicestershire Round.

Discover castles, stately homes and museums around the city and county.
Belvoir Castle commands magnificent views across the surrounding countryside standing high on a hill in the far north of the county.
Throughout the year medieval Jousting Festivals are held in the grounds of Belvoir Castle, and in August hundreds of participants dressed up in full battle regalia re-create the Battle of Bosworth Field.

Leicester itself boasts high street names which can be found amid two large shopping centres, The Shires and the Haymarket. For designer labels and innovative ideas, the small independent shops on the Leicester Lanes and St Martin's Square are the key. Many cosmopolitan restaurants and cafe bars can be found around Leicester, providing a welcome retreat from the rush of city life.

Well known for its locally-made specialities, Leicestershire is particularly renowned for its creamy Stilton cheese and Melton Mowbray Pork Pie. Both can be found at Ye Olde Porke Pie Shoppe in Melton and Leicestershire's outstanding markets come overflowing with fruit, vegetables and other fresh products. Sample Indian flavours and spices along Belgrave Road, relax with friends over a pub lunch, or dine out in style at one of Leicestershire's exclusive restaurants. Some of Leicestershire's greatest places to eat out are its traditional country pubs, situated in its small surrounding villages.

You're never far away from the action in Leicester, with live gigs, vibrant festivals and to top class sporting events there's always something happening in Leicester.
Leicester's National Space Centre has real satellites and rockets, and one of the most advanced space theatres in the world.
Twinlakes Park near Melton Mowbray is crammed full of exciting rides and attractions for the kids with falconry displays, a boating lake, and an animal farm. Twycross Zoo, near Market Bosworth, is home to some of the most endangered species and contains chimpanzees to lions, giraffes and elephants.

Leicestershire's main live music venue De Montfort Hall boasts pop as well as top classical and jazz concerts. Leicester's smaller venues such as The Y, Phoenix Arts, Jongleurs and the Little Theatre cover a range of genres including theatre, music, comedy and classic film.