Shopping in Leicester

Leicester combines England's most significant archaeological discovery with space exploration and surprisingly good curry, all within walking distance of a compact city centre. The 2012 discovery of King Richard III's remains under a car park put this Midlands city on the map. Today Leicester offers excellent South Asian food, free museums, and the interactive National Space Centre.

Also see: one-day Leicester itinerary, best things to do, where to stay.

Leicester rewards visitors with one of archaeology's greatest stories told through excellent museums and actual discovery sites. The city's substantial South Asian community has created an exceptional food scene that most tourists never discover.

• King Richard III Visitor Centre reveals the archaeological discovery that changed history
• National Space Centre features rocket towers and planetarium shows
• Belgrave Road hosts one of Europe's largest Diwali celebrations
• Jewry Wall displays Roman Leicester's best-preserved remains
• New Walk Museum houses dinosaur fossils and Egyptian artifacts
• Leicester Cathedral displays the tomb of England's last Plantagenet king
• Golden Mile offers authentic South Asian food and shopping
• Abbey Park provides 90 acres of gardens and medieval ruins

The best time to visit Leicester is May to September. For mild weather and outdoor festivals, though most attractions are indoor.

Avoid: January and February bring cold rain and limited daylight hours.

City centre hotels cost £60-120 per night and put you walking distance from attractions. Budget travellers find Premier Inn from £45. The Cultural Quarter offers boutique options for £80-150.

Airports: East Midlands Airport 32km northwest; Birmingham Airport 65km south

Day trips from Leicester:

• Melton Mowbray (27km, 45 minutes) - Home of pork pies and Stilton cheese
• Nottingham (45km, 1 hour) - Robin Hood sites and cave tours
• Warwick (60km, 1.5 hours) - Medieval castle and town

• City buses £2.30 single, £4.60 day pass
• Walking - city centre is compact, 15-minute walk end-to-end
• Santander bike share £1 per 30 minutes
• Taxis start at £3.50, £8-12 across city
• Car parking £1.50-3 per hour in centre

• Dress code: Casual dress accepted everywhere. Bring waterproof jacket.
• Tipping: 10-15% in restaurants if service charge not included. Round up taxi fares.
• Water: Tap water is safe to drink throughout Leicester
• SIM cards: Buy SIM cards at phone shops or supermarkets from £10
• Safety: Leicester is generally safe with low crime rates. Avoid poorly lit areas late at night.
• Plugs: Type G (three-pin), 230V
• Emergency: 999

Common mistakes:

• • Planning more than 2-3 days when Leicester's main sights take 1.5 days
• • Eating Indian food in city centre instead of authentic Belgrave Road
• • Missing the free museums which are Leicester's best cultural attractions
• • Visiting on Mondays when many attractions close