Features

United Kingdom - Ancient Leicester

by Mike Levy

Leicester hides some of the most striking ancient sites in England. The East Midlands city is justly proud of its excellent town market (the largest undercover market in Europe) and some striking Victorian buildings such as Thomas Cook’s original offices adorned with a unique frieze celebrating his travel achievements.

The Guildhall, a wonderfully wobbly timbered structure next to the medieval cathedral, is one of the oldest domestic buildings in the country.

Perhaps the most striking and unexpected delight is Jewry Wall, England’s second largest Roman civil building. It is the sole surviving part of a vast complex of baths whose foundations can also be seen. Next to this astonishingly beautiful red-bricked 2nd century wall is a fine museum stuffed with Roman mosaics and decorations.

Newarke Houses Museum is another very fine collection whose highlights include room settings from the 1950s and 1970s – it is a very clever recreation of the recent(ish) past complete with music and TV from the era. There is a moving recreation of a First World War trench and much more.

Add in the best curries in Britain, some wonderful Asian shopping experiences and all these ancient delights and you will see that Leicester is an unexpected joy.