Holiday rental in Leicestershire: Nature, history and unique experiences

Leicestershire combines Charnwood Forest with medieval history, a vibrant craft tradition and a wide range of outdoor activities. Between historic sites and expansive woodland and waterscapes, there are experiences ranging from short discoveries to extended hikes.

Landscape

Charnwood Forest features some of England’s oldest landscapes. Its rugged rock outcrops formed half a billion years ago. Bradgate Park is the only surviving enclosed medieval deer park in the East Midlands and contains some of England’s oldest rocks. The park is accessible daily year-round via public footpaths, by bicycle, on bus 120 or by car.

To the north-west of Leicester, the National Forest covers 200 square miles. It includes ancient woodland, newly planted woodland, wildflower meadows and rugged, rocky uplands. In addition, Leicestershire has more than 70 miles of waterways offering local leisure opportunities. The region’s country parks are open daily and admission is free, although parking charges may apply.

Nature

There is a bird-watching hide beside the lake at Hicks Lodge, where visitors can observe migratory birds such as sand martins. The site also offers signposted, car-free cycle paths suitable for families and learners. On Leicestershire’s waterways, leisure activities include narrowboat trips, family kayaking tours and paddleboarding.

Twycross Zoo also combines wildlife observation with a history of conservation. It is home to more than 500 animals and all four species of great ape. At the same time, the zoo has a history of breeding endangered species as part of conservation programmes.

Culture

Ashby de la Zouch Castle includes the tower-like Hastings Tower, a separate residence within the castle. Visitors can also explore an underground passage leading from the kitchen to the tower. At Bosworth Battlefield, a 2.2-kilometre Battlefield Trail presents the site’s history through audio and visual information stations. Visitors can try on armour and shoot with an archer’s bow.

Bosworth Battlefield tells the story of the Battle of Bosworth, in which King Richard III was defeated. It marked the end of the Middle Ages and the beginning of the Tudor dynasty. The 1620s House and Garden offers a different approach to the past: it shows what life was like in the 17th century and covers the history of the Gunpowder Plot, the Age of Enlightenment and witchcraft.

History

Loughborough Bellfoundry is the last bell foundry still in operation in the United Kingdom. Since 1859, it has cast more than 25,000 bells, which hang in over 100 countries. On the Great Central Railway, visitors can follow the historic route through the Leicestershire countryside in a restored steam train from Leicester North to Loughborough Central. All four Great Central Railway stations are wheelchair accessible: Loughborough Central, Quorn & Woodhouse, Rothley and Leicester North.

Conkers also preserves part of the region’s industrial history. The site is located on the grounds of a former coal mine and is now used for outdoor adventures and to present the history of mining in Leicestershire. Its attractions include a barefoot trail, an activity trail and a fairy maze.

Activities

Those wishing to explore Leicestershire on foot can follow the Leicestershire Round, a 102-mile circular walking route through the county. The National Forest Way stretches for 75 miles and passes rocky outcrops, gentle hills, notable viewpoints and landscapes with an industrial heritage. This provides a range of routes through open, wooded and historically shaped landscapes, without the individual trails sharing the same character.

Food and drink

Melton Mowbray Market is more than 1,000 years old and has stalls selling Melton pork pies and Stilton. A practical workshop at Brockleby’s also offers the opportunity to learn how pork pies are made. In this way, market tradition and hands-on craft meet at two distinct locations within the region’s food culture.

Getting there

Thanks to its central location in the Midlands, Leicestershire is easily accessible by road, rail and air. Several places in the county, including Market Harborough, Loughborough, Melton Mowbray and Hinckley, have railway stations with direct connections to Leicester.

Places

Further location pages lead to Swannington, Narborough, Sibson, Shepshed, Rothley, Orton, North Kilworth, Melton Mowbray, Medbourne, Markfield, Market Harborough, Market Bosworth, Lutterworth, Loughborough, Kegworth, Hinckley, Coalville, Castle Donington, Broughton Astley, Ashby De La Zouch, Appleby Magna, Earl Shilton, Sutton Cheney, Great Glen, Croxton Kerrial, Great Easton, Sapcote, Old Dalby, Harby, Bottesford, Ibstock, Moira, Kirkby Mallory, Woodhouse Eaves, Hathern, Redmile, Sproxton, Stathern, Knipton, Higham on the Hill, Measham, Goadby Marwood, Buckminster and Quorn.

For the main travel overview: East Midlands.