Looking for the ideal staycation location this summer? There’s tons going on right here in the country’s central city of Leicester. From the iconic colourful and vibrant Caribbean festival, to outdoor theatres - you’re sure to want to extend your stay!
Leicester is a city that is brimming with history, from the Richard III visitor centre filled with history of the monarch in the city, to the National Space Centre based right here in Leicester! The city is also bursting with leisure activities and attractions to keep you endlessly entertained. There’s food on offer from all around the world, fun for all ages at Lane 7 and a state of the art theatre. If that’s not enough, some retail therapy is sure to keep you satisfied. Highcross shopping centre stands right in the city centre and boasts over 100 stores, as well as The Lanes offering some unique independent stores.
Over the summer Leicester also offers loads of great activities and events to get stuck into, we’ve listed some of the most popular below.
Guided tours
The stunning Belgrave Hall is hosting a wide range of free guided tours throughout the summer. Home to picturesque gardens and Victorian greenhouses, on the 2nd and 3rd of July you can take a unique look around, accompanied by resident Head Gardener, Chris Brooks. If you’re more interested in learning about the heritage of the hall and the families that have occupied it throughout its history, there will also be free guided tours of the hall! At various dates throughout the summer take a trip to this serene walled oasis, and get a break from the hustle and bustle of the noisy city. If you’d rather take a look around Leicester’s heritage spots on your own, on the last Sundays of July and August visitors can explore heritage sites across the city free of charge.
Belvoir Castle
Set further out from the city in the wider Leicestershire area, another hotspot of activities this summer is Belvoir Castle. The midsummer celebration of all things gardening will be taking place in the form of the Belvoir Castle Flower and Gardens Show on the 16th and 17th of July. The weekend of inspiration and colour will showcase some of the UK’s finest nurseries and growers - with live music, food and refreshments, and the opportunity to purchase something to take home to plant in your own garden! If theatre is more your thing, Belvoir Castle will also be hosting a variety of outdoor theatre shows over the summer. With comedy showings of David Walliams’ ‘Awful Auntie’ and the super silly murder mystery ‘Much Ado About Murder’, you’re guaranteed a good laugh for the whole family.
Family fun days
More family fun will be taking place throughout the summer with THREE different family fun day events at the Racecourse over the summer. The MEGA Funtopia event is coming back to Leicester bigger and better than ever with TWO two-day events in June and August. This day out is perfect for families with little ones, packed with bouncy castles, obstacle courses, crafty corners, and so so much more! The Racecourse will also be hosting their own Family Fun Day at the start of August. The day is sure to be packed with fun for everyone, including racing and events that the whole family can get stuck into and enjoy.
Caribbean Carnival
Leicester’s celebration of Caribbean culture and heritage is one of the biggest in the UK and is always a day full of vibrant colours and joy. The carnival is one of the city’s unique not-to-be-missed annual events, where the whole community comes together to celebrate in the form of dance, music, food and loads more! The carnival will not only have a multitude of street vendors selling arts and crafts and food, but make sure you also don’t miss the carnival parade. The parade showcases colourful floats, dancers and performers moving across the city throughout the day.
Connect with nature
Stepping a bit further out of the city centre, Leicester is surrounded by the vast Leicestershire countryside - budding with wildlife and stunning scenery for miles. See our blog post on the best cycle routes in Leicestershire to learn more about areas you can explore as a family this summer! If you’re looking for something more on the wild side…why not visit Twycross Zoo? With loads of great animal experiences on offer, you and the little ones are sure to have an unforgettable time. Plus with the new addition of their Gruffalo Discovery Land and summer exclusive Wet N Wild Play Area - there’s more than enough to keep you entertained for a few days!
Summer in the city of Leicester is always filled with world-class festivals and great family events, and where better to stay than at the heart of it all? The Gresham is ideally located right in the centre of the city of Leicester, within walking distance of all the city’s top attractions and public transport options for those day trips a bit further out.
