LEICESTERSHIRE |
| Ashby-de-la-Zouch Castle |
In centre of Ashby-de-la-Zouch |
The earliest parts of the castle date from the 12th
century, but its most impressive feature is the tower built by the 1st Lord Hastings in
the 15th century. The 12th century hall is the oldest part of the castle still standing.
The solar nearby contained the apartments of the lord and his family; it has a fine
chimneypiece with moulded jambs and an elaboratly carved lintel. The chapel was built by
Lord Hastings between 1464-1483. |
| Belvoir Castle |
Off A607, 10 miles north-east of Melton Mowbray |
This castle is not a place for faint hearts. The
entrance hall is lined with ancient arms for 120 men. On the Grand Staircase visitors will
pass a cannon captured during the First Sikh War. The dining room has two full length
portraits by Sir Joshua Reynolds. The Picture Gallery has the famous portrait of Henry
VIII by Hans Holbein, and paintings by Poussin and Gainsborough. |
| Bosworth Battlefield |
Off B585, 2 miles south of Market Bosworth |
The flags of the opposing army commanders still fly
over Bosworth Field where, on August 22, 1485, the last Plantagenet king, Richard III,
fell defending his throne against Henry Tudor. His defeat marked the end of the Middle
Ages and established Henry VII as the first Tudor monarch. The drama and spectacle of that
far-off day is recaptured today in the Battlefield Visitor Centre where replica shields,
armour, flags, models and films of the battle can be seen. Visitors can also follow paths
and battle trails in the surrounding country park. |
| Bradgate Park |
Off B5327, 6 miles north-west of Leicester |
Visitors can walk, ride, scramble on the rocks, or
simply picnic and watch the wildlife in this 1250 acre country park within Charnwood
Forest. Bradgate Park comprises of wonderfully varied types of countryside. In the middle
of it are the ruins of Bradgate House, the birthplace and home of Lady Jane Grey,
great-niece of Henry VIII and Queen of England for nine days in 1553. The surrounding
Charnwood Forest is now a forest in name only, but still a fascinating place to visit. |
| Kirby Muxloe Castle |
Off B5380, 4 miles west of Leicester |
Although it is called a castle, Kirby Muxloe is really
a fortified house, complete with gunports for cannon which are among the earliest in
England. It was built in the 15th century by the 1st Lord Hastings, who had already built
the castle at Ashby-de-la-Zouch. Unfortunately, Hastings failed to find favour with the
new king, Richard III, and was beheaded before his new castle could be completed. The west
tower is the only part of Kirby Muxloe to be completely finished. |
| Leicester Guildhall |
In centre of Leicester |
The building which was Leicester's Town Hall until
1876, still today plays a real part in the city's social life. The entrance to the
building, next door to the cathedral, leads into a little courtyard. On one side are cells
built in the early 19th century and now a museum. Upstairs in the Guildhall there is a
small bedroom, still fitted out as it was when used by the visiting Recorder or Judge.
This room leads off a library, with the books arranged on the shelves exactly as they were
when first placed there about 1632. Downstairs, the Mayor's Parlour, panelled in wood, has
a Jacobean overmantel. |
| Oakham Castle |
In centre of Oakham |
The Great Hall is all that survives today of this
medieval fortified manor house, but it is one of the finest examples of Norman domestic
architecture in England. It was built as a residence, the Great Hall being the centre of
social and manorial activity. The approach to it is through a stone gateway which,
although 13th century in form, was rebuilt by George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, who
bought the manor in 1621. Inside, the hall is hung with more than 200 horseshoes. The
castle was also the administrative centre of Oakham and the emerging county of Rutland.
Today it continues to fulfil its role as a courtroom. |
| Stanford Hall |
Off B5414, 3.5 miles south-east of Lutterworth |
The Cave family have lived at Stanford since 1430, and
the mansion contains a collection of costumes worn by members of the family from the days
of Queen Elizabeth to Queen Victoria. Among many fine paintings is a portrait of Charles
II by Sir Peter Lely. In the stable block is the Pilcher Aviation Museum. Percy Pilcher
was killed at Stanford in 1899 in his flying machine The Hawk. In the museum
there is a replica of the flying machine. There is also a motorcycle museum. |
