Guided Tours & Trails around Leicester and Leicestershire
If you want to find out more about Leicester and Leicestershire, a good way to do it is on a guided walk or tour. Information on these are listed below, as well as some suggested trails you can do yourself.
Guided Walks
Leicestershire has many qualified Blue Badge Guides who run regular walking tours around the city and county. These include historic tours of local buildings or villages, themed tours and ghost walks. A leaflet detailing the current walks is available from the Tourist Information Centre. Alternatively call Alan Joyce on 0116 286 2252 to find out more or to arrange private tours and talks for groups.
Open top bus tours
Details on the public open top bus tours are expected to be confirmed by the end of April. The open top buses are also available for private hire throughout the year. Please call Roberts Coaches on 01530 817444 for more details.
Thomas Cook Trail
Did you know that Leicester is the birthplace of tourism? Thomas Cook, who lived in Leicester for over 50 years, introduced the world to tourism when he organised an excursion from Leicester to Loughborough in 1841. A free Thomas Cook leaflet is available from Leicester Tourist Information Centre. This takes you on a walking trail around Leicester, visiting places connected with his life including where he lived and worked and his grave at Welford Cemetery.
King Richard III Trail
King Richard III spent his last fateful night in Leicester before his death at the nearby Battle of Bosworth in 1485. His body was brought back to the city and was buried here, but his bones were later dug up and thrown into the River Soar. A leaflet is available from Leicester Tourist Information Centre, giving details about the life of King Richard III and detailing places to visit.
Blue Plaque Trail
Across the UK, small, blue plaques mark places that have historical importance or were relevant to the lives of famous people. A leaflet is available from Leicester Tourist Information Centre, to accompany some of the Blue Plaques you will find around the city. Leicester plaques commemorate the lives of people like Joseph Hansom, William Carey and Joe Orton.
Riverside Walks
The River Soar and Grand Union Canal wind their way through Leicester, passing through Castle Gardens and Abbey Park. Leaflets are available from the Tourist Information Centre with maps of the riverside walks you can do. It is possible to walk from Leicester city centre up to the National Space Centre using the river pathways, and will take you about 35 minutes.
Blue Badge Guides
There is a network of 15 local Blue Badge Guides available to host guided walks and give talks about the city and county. For more details, or to book a place or a dedicated guide for your group visit to Leicester or Leicestershire, please call Alan Joyce on 0116 286 2252 or call in to the Leicester Tourist Information Centre in Town Hall Square in the city.
What A Great Day
Whether you're visiting family, a resident looking to explore and discover new sights, or just looking to spend some quality leisure time in a beautiful county, What A Great Day is the service for you. For unique, tailored, personalised days out in Leicester and Leicestershire, visit www.whatagreatday.co.uk or contact Sally Baum on 01509 815064 or 07816981313, or email sally@whatagreatday.co.uk.