New Walk Museum and Art Gallery

Victorian museum housing everything from Ancient Egyptian artifacts to contemporary art across four floors. The Natural History galleries feature a complete T-Rex skeleton and dodo remains, while the German Expressionist collection includes works by Otto Dix and George Grosz. The Egyptian section displays genuine mummies and the Burdett-Coutts collection of medieval manuscripts. It sits in Leicester's Cultural Quarter, close to the other main sights. It sits below the headline sights but earns its place on a longer visit to Leicester, especially paired with nearby Phoenix Cinema and Art Centre. Entry is free and 2-3 hours gives you a thorough visit.

Priority: Medium - include with 2+ days Time needed: 2-3 hours Best for: one of england's oldest municipal museums with Skip if: You prefer focused, single-subject museums or modern interactive displays Cost: Free

You climb a grand Victorian staircase past towering display cases filled with fossils and stuffed animals. Egyptian sarcophagi sit in darkened alcoves while German paintings hang in bright upstairs galleries. The building feels like exploring a Victorian collector's private mansion.

Accessibility: Lift access to all floors, wheelchair-accessible entrance on New Walk

One of England's oldest municipal museums with genuine Egyptian mummies and impressive German Expressionist paintings. It is not the first thing you should see in Leicester, but with two or more days it fills a gap the major sights leave. It pairs naturally with Phoenix Cinema and Art Centre and Curve Theatre - together they fill a solid half-day. Mornings are quieter if you want to take your time. Free entry makes the decision easy - walk in, see if it holds your attention, and leave when you have had enough.

Skip if: You prefer focused, single-subject museums or modern interactive displays

• Start with the Natural History floor to orient yourself.
• The museum café serves excellent coffee and cake.
• Special exhibitions often charge admission.

Insider tip: The Wild Boar pub next door has been serving the museum staff and visitors since Victorian times

Photography allowed in most areas except special exhibitions. The Victorian architecture makes for good interior shots