Leicester Named by The Telegraph as Number One Destination in the East Midlands for Visitor Appeal
In a study of Britain’s 20 largest cities, travel expert Chris Moss of The Telegraph, ranked Leicester as the number one destination in the East Midlands for visitor appeal – coming in at 15th out of the twenty UK cities featured.
Highlighting the city as a must-see UK destination, the rankings place Leicester ahead of Southampton, Brighton, Coventry and fellow East Midlands cities Nottingham and Derby.
Swapping international flights for Britain’s ‘hidden gems,’ travel expert Chris Moss revealed a booming domestic tourism scene. His visit highlighted Leicester’s thriving visitor economy, characterised by an excellent food offer, top-tier museums, and diverse places to stay. Chris’s focus remains on proving that UK cities are now a first-choice destination for an enjoyable break, regardless of the audience.
He describes Leicester as a “friendly Midlands metropolis which might be the UK’s most underrated urban centre”, praising the city for embedding roman history into its tourism offer, most notably seen in the “dashing Jewry Wall museum”.
He also highlights the King Richard III Visitor Centre, noting its ability to “make sense of the confusingly internecine Wars of the Roses” and the Battle of Bosworth, while celebrating the archaeology that created such a “remarkable royal burial attraction.” Thanks to the discovery of King Richard III in 2012 and his reinterment in 2015, Leicester remains one of only a few locations outside London where you can see the tomb of an English monarch.
Chris also notes the walkability of the city centre, with historic buildings around every corner, our great pubs, bars and restaurants, not to mention the “cracking curries” available on the Golden Mile, as you would expect from the currently crowned ‘England Curry Capital’.
While Leicester was an incredibly important city to the Romans, it has continually changed and evolved, with architecture in evidence from every historical period. Medieval and Tudor buildings, ancient stone walls and gateways, churches and a cathedral sit alongside more modern and striking developments such as the award-winning Curve theatre, which hosts West End level productions at Leicester prices. This evolution of the city centre’s visitor economy is also evident in the number of leisure activities now available, with roller skating, mini golf, bowling, escape rooms, axe throwing plus an official Ninja Warrior experience.
If you want to follow in Chris’s footsteps and explore Leicester’s history, the city has around 400 heritage panels which highlight significant points of interest, so you can guide yourself around Roman, Medieval, Victorian, Edwardian and modern Leicester.
There is a great choice of hotel accommodation in the city from luxurious aparthotels right down to more wallet-friendly options right in the heart of the city, so if you’re visiting from outside the area, Leicester if the perfect place to spend a few days exploring.
Mike Denby, Director of Investment and Place at Visit Leicester commented: “It is fantastic to see Leicester rightfully ranked among the UK’s top 20 cities for visitors. Whether you arrive by coach, train, or car, you’ll find a city full history, culture, and award-winning experiences. Our excellent dining scene, packed calendar of festivals and events ensure there is always something to enjoy, regardless of age or interest. As our visitor numbers continue to rise, we encourage you to explore and experience the ‘hidden gems’ that make Leicester a standout destination.”
The city is an hour by train from London St Pancras and is well connected with the National Express coach service and major motorway networks including M1, M69 and M42.
To find out more about taking your next city break in Leicester go to www.visitleicester.info
Read the Telegraph article here Britain’s 20 biggest cities, ranked from worst to best