Leicester Overview
Leicester is a city situated in the middle of the country with a rich history dating back almost 2 millennia, there are 3 top universities in and around the city which make for a high student population meaning, you will get a great experience if you decide to study in this city. There are plenty of historical buildings in Leicester with one in particular being the gothic style Leicester Cathedral, built in 1086 the cathedral has been a historical monument throughout the years and a great part of the history of Leicester. The cathedral is still used today by the Church of England and you can visit the building all year round. Once the Grand Union Canal was built in the late 1700s this caused a boom in the cities economy as the canal linked Leicester to Birmingham and London, in 1832 the railway arrived in the city which provided a steady stream of coal from towns nearby. Leicester’s diverse economic base mixed in with their lack of dependence on primary industries meant they were not hit as hard as the rest of the UK during the Great Depression in the 1930s, the city is still flourishing with a lot of great opportunities for young educated students.
Things to do in Leicester
One of the most popular things to do in Leicester is to visit the National Space Centre, the award-winning centre has six interactive galleries, the UK’s largest planetarium, unique 3D Simulation ride and an iconic 42m high rocket tower. During the school holidays they add a vast mixture of exhibitions and workshops which are very interesting as well as educational. The centre also has a cafe and a shop accompanied by all the facilities you would expect from a world class attraction. A stone throws away from the centre is the King Richard III Visitor Centre, here you will discover the life, death and discovery of the King, the centre is open all year round and is not very expensive which makes it the perfect place to visit no matter the weather. In the heart of the city’s cultural quarter is the Curve, the Curve is a state-of-the-art theatre which opened its doors in 2008, it is hard to miss due to its phenomenal architectural design. The theatre is committed to helping new and emerging talents as well as displaying world-class productions, there are several facilities inside with one of them being a bar which makes for a great day out by yourself or with friends. There are several destinations to go shopping in the city with a plethora of high-street brands as well as independent boutique shops and market stalls which will offer you anything you can wish for; Haymarket shopping centre is a popular destination to find well-known brands with many of them offering student discounts.
Sport in Leicester
Leicester football club are famous for winning the Premier League title in 2015, this was one of the biggest shocks in football ever since it started; they play at the King Power stadium which has a capacity of over 30,000 and has a brilliant atmosphere on matchday. The Leicester Tigers are a professional rugby club who are also fantastic to go and watch, formed in 1880 they have a rich history with many titles under their belt. Another spectator sport in the city are the Leicester Riders who are a professional basketball team playing in the British Basketball League (BBL), they are a very decorated team with several titles and a great team to go and watch.
Escape Leicester
Roughly a 40-minute drive north of the city is Nottingham which is famed for having a great nightlife as well as being a very diverse cultural city. There is plenty to do in Nottingham with many shopping districts, theatres and sports clubs. An hour drive west of the city will bring you to Birmingham which is one of the larger cities in the UK boasting a brilliant history full of art galleries and museums, Birmingham was a powerhouse during the industrial revolution with some buildings still standing today.
Transport in Leicester
Travelling to and from Leicester is very easy due to the M1 running through the city connecting the north with the south of the country. From the M1 you are able to access the national motorway network making for easy access to other cities across the UK. Leicester is also at an intersection of two major railway lines; the east/west Birmingham to London Stansted cross country line and the north/south Midland Main line. National coach services run from the city and travel to most major cities across the country.
