Best Landmarks in Leicestershire

13 landmarks

1. 
   01
   Historical landmark4.3★1,886 reviews

   The Clock Tower

   The Clock Tower in Leicester stands as a historic and ornate monument at the heart of the city, serving as a vibrant meeting point and symbol of Leicester’s rich heritage. Built in 1868 to ease traffic congestion, it commemorates four of Leicester’s benefactors and marks the site of Britain’s first traffic island. Surrounded by bustling shops, cafes, and pedestrian streets, it remains a focal point for locals and visitors alike, visible 24/7 and steeped in cultural significance.

   Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.5–1.5 hrs

   23 min drive · 12 km·3 E Gates, Leicester LE1 5YA

   Show on map The Clock Tower
2. 
   02
   Castle4.5★1,058 reviews

   Oakham Castle

   Oakham Castle is one of England's finest surviving examples of Norman domestic architecture, built between 1180 and 1190. The Great Hall stands as the centerpiece of this historic site, famous for its extraordinary collection of over 240 gilded horseshoes donated by royalty and nobility over nearly 850 years. Free admission welcomes visitors to explore 12th-century sculptures, intricate stonework, and centuries of judicial history. Located in the heart of Oakham's Market Place, the castle grounds offer a peaceful setting with a café and sensory garden.

   Mon 10:00–16:00 · Wed–Sat 10:00–16:00Time to spend 1–2.5 hrs

   58 min drive · 29 km·Castle Grounds Market Place, Oakham LE15 6DR

   Show on map Oakham Castle
3. 
   03
   Historical landmark4.7★832 reviews

   Old John Tower

   Old John Tower, perched on the highest hill in Bradgate Park, Leicestershire, is a striking 18th-century folly built in 1784. Originally constructed to resemble a romantic ruin, the tower served as an observation point for horse training and hunting activities. Its distinctive 'mug-shape' silhouette and castellated roof make it a prominent landmark visible across Leicester and beyond. Surrounded by scenic parkland, it offers panoramic views and a glimpse into local heritage.

   Open 24 hoursTime to spend 1–3 hrs

   15 min drive · 7.4 km·Bradgate Park, off Sharply Hill, Leicestershire LE6 0AL

   Show on map Old John Tower
4. 
   04
   Historical landmark4.7★279 reviews

   Bradgate House

   Bradgate House is the evocative 16th-century ruin nestled within Bradgate Park, Leicestershire, once the grand home of the Grey family and the childhood residence of Lady Jane Grey, England's 'Nine Day Queen.' Constructed between 1499 and 1520, it was among England’s earliest brick mansions, notable for its unfortified design. Though abandoned in the 18th century, its ruins remain a poignant historical landmark amid the medieval deer park’s natural beauty.

   Wed 11:00–16:00 · Sat–Sun 11:00–16:00Time to spend 1–3 hrs

   15 min drive · 7.6 km·Newtown Linford, Leicester LE6 0HE

   Show on map Bradgate House
5. 
   05
   Historical landmark3.9★151 reviews

   Jewry Wall & Roman Baths

   The Jewry Wall in Leicester is one of the largest surviving Roman masonry structures in Britain, dating back to around AD 160. It formed part of a grand Roman public bath complex in the ancient town of Ratae Corieltauvorum. Adjacent to the wall are the excavated remains of the baths and the Jewry Wall Museum, which showcases Roman and Iron Age artefacts from Leicester. The site offers a fascinating glimpse into Roman urban life and architecture, with free public viewing of the wall and paid access to the museum.

   Daily 9:00–17:00Price level $$Time to spend 1–3 hrs

   23 min drive · 12 km·156-140 St Nicholas Walk, Leicester LE1 4LB

   Show on map Jewry Wall & Roman Baths
6. 
   06
   Historical landmark4.3★103 reviews

   Leicester Castle

   Leicester Castle, located in the city center of Leicester, England, is a historic Norman motte-and-bailey castle dating back to around 1070. Once the seat of the Earls of Leicester and later the Dukes of Lancaster, it features the remarkable Great Hall—the oldest surviving aisled timber hall in Britain—and remnants of medieval fortifications. The castle has served as a royal residence, courthouse, and prison, and today its grounds and structures offer a rich glimpse into England’s medieval past.

   Time to spend 1–3 hrs

   24 min drive · 12 km·7 Castle View, Leicester LE1 5WH

   Show on map Leicester Castle
7. 
   07
   Historical landmark4.3★26 reviews

   Earl Shilton Castle

   Earl Shilton Castle is a historic 12th-century motte and bailey castle located on the northern edge of Earl Shilton village near Leicester. Founded soon after the Norman Conquest by the Earl of Leicester, the castle once guarded the Vale of Kirkby and served as a hunting lodge after its military use ended. Today, only the large earthwork mound, surrounded by a ditch and remnants of the bailey bank, remains as a scheduled monument within a public garden setting.

   Time to spend 0.5–1.5 hrs

   42 min drive · 21 km·Earl Shilton, Leicester LE9

   Show on map Earl Shilton Castle
8. 
   08
   Historical landmark4.6★11 reviews

   Memorial Clock Tower

   The Memorial Clock Tower in Coalville is a striking Grade II listed Gothic-revival monument erected in 1925 to honor the 354 local soldiers who died in the First World War. Standing 68 feet tall and built from multi-colored Staffordshire bricks with Cornish granite tablets bearing the names of the fallen, it remains a powerful symbol of remembrance and local heritage in the heart of Coalville’s town centre.

   Time to spend 0.5–1.5 hrs

   32 min drive · 16 km·Memorial Square, Coalville LE67

   Show on map Memorial Clock Tower
9. 
   09
   Historical landmark4.5★2 reviews

   Welford Place

   The John Biggs statue stands prominently at Welford Place in Leicester, commemorating one of the city's most influential Victorian political figures. Crafted from Sicilian marble and unveiled in 1873, the statue honors Biggs’s legacy as a reformer, industrialist, and three-time mayor. Situated on a pedestrian refuge where Belvoir Street curves into Welford Road, this historic landmark offers insight into Leicester’s civic history and 19th-century social reform movements.

   Time to spend 0.2–1 hr

   24 min drive · 12 km·Welford Pl, Leicester LE1 6ZH

   Show on map Welford Place
10. 
    10
    Historical landmark5.0★1 review

    Leicester Roman West Gate site

    The Leicester Roman West Gate site, dominated by the impressive Jewry Wall, is one of Britain’s largest surviving Roman masonry structures. This 2nd-century Roman wall formed part of a grand public bath complex in the Roman town of Ratae Corieltauvorum (modern Leicester). Excavated in the 1930s by archaeologist Kathleen Kenyon, the site reveals the social and recreational heart of Roman Leicester, with visible remains of the baths and exercise hall. Adjacent to the wall, the Jewry Wall Museum showcases Roman and Iron Age artifacts, offering a vivid glimpse into Leicester’s ancient past.

    Open 24 hoursTime to spend 1–2.5 hrs

    24 min drive · 12 km·Leicester LE1 5LX

    Show on map Leicester Roman West Gate site