Leicester
Explore hidden histories, historic photos, and things you never knew about Leicester from the collections and archives of Historic England.
Discover your local listed buildings and places
Introducing some of Leicester's most historic sites, included in the National Heritage List for England. Some of these captions have been summarised by AI. Click through for the official List entry.
Fosse Neighbourhood Centre and Library (Formerly Mantle R…
Leicester
The Fosse Neighbourhood Centre and Library in Leicester, formerly Mantle Road School, showcases Free Domestic Revival style architecture designed by Edward Burgess in 1898.
Knighton Hall
Leicester
Knighton Hall, a Grade II listed building, features an early 18th-century red brick façade and a late 16th-century core, with interior architectural elements from the 17th to 19th centuries.
Former Church of St Paul
Leicester
The former Church of St Paul, built in 1870-71 by Ordish and Traylen, features Early French Gothic style and an impressive interior with intricate stained glass and detailed carvings.
New Walk, Leicester
Leicester
New Walk, established in 1785 in Leicester, is a historic, tree-lined public walk connecting the city to Victoria Park, featuring notable architectural and cultural landmarks.
Former Western Park Open Air School
Leicester
Former open air school built between 1928 and 1930 to designs by J. O. Thompson.
Porte Cochere, Pedestrian Loggia and Octagonal Turret For…
Leicester
Railway station porte cochere including pedestrian loggia and octagonal turret. Built in 1892 for the Midland Railway Company.
Fielding Johnson Building University of Leicester
Leicester
The Fielding Johnson Building, originally erected in 1837 as a lunatic asylum, features symmetrical architecture designed by Wallett and William Parsons.
Former Narborough Road School
Leicester
Designed by Edward Burgess in 1900-02, the Former Narborough Road School in Leicester is a notable example of red brick architecture with a central hall plan.
The Guildhall
Leicester
A medieval Guildhall, built for the Corpus Christi Guild around 1390, enlarged around 1450, and further extended by the addition of ranges to the east and west around 1490, and a domestic...
The former Boot and Shoe Operatives Union and National Un…
Leicester
Boot and Shoe Operatives Union and National Union Headquarters built 1902 to the designs of Harrison & Hattrell of Leicester.
Fountain, Town Hall Square
Leicester
The 1879 fountain in Town Hall Square, designed by F.J. Hames, features cast iron lions and columns, donated by High Bailiff Israel Hart, enhancing the historical ensemble.
West Bridge
Leicester
West Bridge, opened in 1891, features cast iron arches with Tudor decorations and ashlar turrets, spanning the canalised River Soar.
Greyfriars, Leicester
Leicester
Greyfriars, Leicester, a C13 Franciscan friary the church of which later became the burial place of King Richard III.
Wyggeston House
Leicester
A multi-phase former dwelling, originally a timber-framed merchant's house of around 1490, extensively remodelled around 1760 with a new front range, rebuilt to the rear in the C19, now a...
Mobil forecourt canopies
Birstall
Petrol filling station canopies with striking overlapping parasols designed by Eliot Noyes in the 1960s, constructed in 1979.
Church of St Mary De Castro
Leicester
Founded in the 11th century by the first Earl of Leicester, the Church of St Mary De Castro features medieval architectural elements and significant additions from the 13th to 19th...
Charnwood Street School
Leicester
Charnwood Street School, designed by Edward Burgess in 1876-77 for the Leicester School Board, features distinctive red brick architecture with ashlar dressings and a prominent bell tower.
2 St Martins
Leicester
Designed by S. Perkins Pick for Pares's Bank (1900-1902), this Baroque Revival building features C.J. Allen sculptures and G.P.
Church of St Margaret
Leicester
The Church of St Margaret mainly dates from the 15th century, featuring elements from possibly earlier periods, and includes stained glass and notable monuments.
Preceptory, boundary, two mounds, fishpond and dam at Bea…
City of Leicester
The Beaumont Leys preceptory was a monastery site for Knights Templars, later transferred to Knights Hospitallers. Its well-preserved structures include a notable medieval dam.
Leicester Castle and the Magazine Gateway
Leicester
Leicester Castle is a significant medieval fortification with Roman origins, playing a major role in Norman military and administrative history.
Moated site at New Parks, Leicester
Leicester
The moated site at New Parks, Leicester is a rare, well-documented medieval monument significant for studying wealth and status distribution in England.
Engineering Building, University of Leicester
Leicester
The Engineering Building at the University of Leicester, designed by James Stirling and James Gowan, features a unique sculptural composition with towers and fully glazed, tiled walls.
Lloyds Bank Limited
Leicester
Lloyds Bank Limited, designed by architects Chatwin and Son between 1903-1906, features classical architecture with impressive Ionic columns and decorative cornices.
Parish Church of St Peter
Leicester
St Peter's Church in Belgrave, a significant Grade II* listed building, features 12th to 15th-century architecture, a medieval nave roof, and historical monuments.
Abbey Pumping Station
Leicester
Abbey Pumping Station, built in 1891 as a sewage works pumping station, features significant architectural elements, including beam engines by Messrs Grimson of Leicester.
Former Church of All Saints
Leicester
Parish church of C12-C15, with chancel of 1829 and major restoration 1874-76 by Goddard and Paget.
St John Chambers
Leicester
Former Parish church of 1854-55 by G.G. Scott, converted to apartments late 1980s.
Trinity House, Formerly Trinity Hospital Almshouses
Leicester
Trinity House in The Newarke, founded in 1331 by Henry Earl of Lancaster, features a chapel with original elements from the late 14th century.
Silver Arcade (section from Sillver Street to Cank Street)
Leicester
Silver Arcade is a 19th-century shopping arcade featuring three tiers with iron balcony railings and an ornate ashlar elevation on both Silver Street and Cank Street.
Town Hall
Leicester
Freely designed by F.J. Hames between 1874 and 1876, the Town Hall features a clock tower and ornate stonework, forming a notable urban group with surrounding listed buildings.
Saffron Hill Cemetery
Leicester
An early C20 cemetery laid out to designs by Thomas Mawson and Edward Prentice Mawson, with buildings designed by E P Mawson.
Roman Catholic Church of St Joseph
Leicester
Church of St Joseph, Uppingham Road, Leicester 1967-8 by Thomas E. Wilson.
Former Donisthorpe and Company Limited factory building o…
Leicester
A factory building thought to have been erected for textile manufacturing, with origins in the late C18.
Slater Street School
Leicester
Slater Street School, built in 1874 for the Leicester School Board, is a Gothic Revival style building retaining original features and is Leicester's oldest board school.
Leicester through time
This timeline shows the first period of use for buildings and places on the National Heritage List for England, just one of the details recorded for every list entry. Click around to see how Leicester changes over time.
Roman AD 43 to AD 410
Britain was invaded by four legions of the Roman army in AD 43, who relatively rapidly conquered England from landing points in Kent. Parts of Wales and Scotland soon followed.
Roman culture brought urbanism, monumental buildings, wide-ranging religious beliefs, writing, and strong social hierarchy. The Roman administrative system was withdrawn in AD 410.
Early medieval AD 410 to AD 1066
This period, often associated in England with Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, saw a reduction in urban living from the Roman period and increased migration from northern Europe.
Traces of this period can be found in cemeteries, particularly in artefacts and in some of the very early churches, as this period also saw the growth of Christianity in Britain.
Medieval AD 1066 to AD 1540
This period, sometimes known as the Middle Ages, began with the Norman invasion in AD 1066. It saw a significant rise in military and defensive buildings such as castles and earthworks, as well as religious houses dominating a largely agricultural landscape.
The monarchy and Church dominated the period, which also saw the break with the Roman Catholic Church and the English reformation.
Post medieval AD 1540 to AD 1901
The Post-Medieval period brought seismic changes to life in England, with religious reformation leading to the democratization of worship and the destruction of hundreds of religious houses.
In parallel, there was a huge expansion of scientific study and enlightenment that permanently altered the nation's social structure and landscape. Industrialization and mass production lead to wider global trade, emigration, and immigration.
20th century AD 1901 to AD 2000
The 20th century saw an incredible expansion of England's transport networks, with suburban growth shadowing rapid infrastructural expansion. The establishment of state schools, hospitals, and modern technical colleges, with new architectural styles, radically changed the appearance of towns and cities.
Two catastrophic world wars and the 1918 pandemic also brought unprecedented change, altering England's built environment and social structures forever.
Roman AD 43 to AD 410
Britain was invaded by four legions of the Roman army in AD 43, who relatively rapidly conquered England from landing points in Kent. Parts of Wales and Scotland soon followed.
Roman culture brought urbanism, monumental buildings, wide-ranging religious beliefs, writing, and strong social hierarchy. The Roman administrative system was withdrawn in AD 410.
Early medieval AD 410 to AD 1066
This period, often associated in England with Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, saw a reduction in urban living from the Roman period and increased migration from northern Europe.
Traces of this period can be found in cemeteries, particularly in artefacts and in some of the very early churches, as this period also saw the growth of Christianity in Britain.
Medieval AD 1066 to AD 1540
This period, sometimes known as the Middle Ages, began with the Norman invasion in AD 1066. It saw a significant rise in military and defensive buildings such as castles and earthworks, as well as religious houses dominating a largely agricultural landscape.
The monarchy and Church dominated the period, which also saw the break with the Roman Catholic Church and the English reformation.
Post medieval AD 1540 to AD 1901
The Post-Medieval period brought seismic changes to life in England, with religious reformation leading to the democratization of worship and the destruction of hundreds of religious houses.
In parallel, there was a huge expansion of scientific study and enlightenment that permanently altered the nation's social structure and landscape. Industrialization and mass production lead to wider global trade, emigration, and immigration.
20th century AD 1901 to AD 2000
The 20th century saw an incredible expansion of England's transport networks, with suburban growth shadowing rapid infrastructural expansion. The establishment of state schools, hospitals, and modern technical colleges, with new architectural styles, radically changed the appearance of towns and cities.
Two catastrophic world wars and the 1918 pandemic also brought unprecedented change, altering England's built environment and social structures forever.
Aerial photos of Leicester
Aerial photography helps reveal secrets of England's changing landscapes that are impossible to see from the ground.
Leicester
Abbey Park, Leicester, 1937
Leicester
Abbey Park and The Oval, Leicester, 1953
Leicester
Patons and Baldwins Ltd West Bridge Worsted Spinning Mills and the Castle Gardens, Leicester, 1935
Leicester
Patons & Baldwins West Bridge Worsted Spinning Mills, the Castle Gardens and environs, Leicester, 1935
Leicester
The Co-operative Wholesale Society Boot and Shoe Manufactury (Wheatsheaf Works) at Knighton Fields, Leicester, 1927
Knighton Fields
The Co-operative Wholesale Society Wheatsheaf Boot and Shoe Works, Knighton Fields, 1948
Leicester
The city by the junction of Gallowtree Gate and Horsefair Street, Leicester, 1927
Leicester
Arthur Foister and Sons Ltd (Cherub Ltd) Factory on Charles Street and St George's Church, Leicester, 1953
Leicester
Abbey Park and environs, Leicester, 1935
Leicester
The Abbey Grounds, the River Soar and the surrounding area, Leicester, 1952
Leicester in the Historic England Archive
The Historic England Archive cares for over 15 million images, dating from the 1850s to the present day. Discover stunning images of Leicester's past.
Charles George Harper Collection
City Of Leicester
Date created: 1892 - 1933
Looking along Castle View towards the Church of St Mary de Castro, showing a man walking out from beneath the Turret Gateway
John Gay Collection: Rural Life
City Of Leicester
Date created: 1959
The timber framed gatehouse to St Mary de Castro Church in Leicester
London, Midland and Scottish Railway Company
City Of Leicester
Date created: 1896
A view looking north-east across the front of Leicester London Road station
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Victoria Park, City Of Leicester, City Of Leicester
Date created: 1900 - 1920
GENERAL EXTERIOR VIEW
Margaret Tomlinson Collection
City Of Leicester
Date created: 1957
Exterior view of St Martin's Cathedral in Leicester, seen from New Street
Charles George Harper Collection
City Of Leicester
Date created: 1892 - 1933
A view from the south-east of St Nicholas' Church, showing part of the Jewry Wall, with people on the road in the foreground
London, Midland and Scottish Railway Company
City Of Leicester
Date created: 13 Jun 1892
A view looking towards the south side of Turret Gateway, with a number of figures standing on the narrow lane
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Victoria Park, City Of Leicester, City Of Leicester
Date created: 1900 - 1930
EXTERIOR VIEW
Charles George Harper Collection
Leicester, City Of Leicester, City Of Leicester
Date created: 1892 - 1933
A view from the south-west of St Margaret's Church, with people walking past on the road in the foreground
London, Midland and Scottish Railway Company
City Of Leicester
Date created: Jun 1892
The south side of the Turret Gateway on Castle View, with the spire of St Mary de Castro`s Church rising behind
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Victoria Park, City Of Leicester, City Of Leicester
Date created: 01 Jan 1903 - 18 Dec 1908
GENERAL EXTERIOR VIEW
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Victoria Park, City Of Leicester, City Of Leicester
Date created: 1900 - 1930
GENERAL EXTERIOR VIEW
Stories about heritage in your local area
Historic England publishes news, blogs, research, videos, and podcasts celebrating England's rich heritage. Discover the stories we have about Leicester.
Richard III: The Lost King
Mentions St Martin's Cathedral, Greyfriars, Leicester
Learn more about England’s last Yorkist King.
Women Architects Who Helped Shape England
Mentions 22, Avenue Road
Women have always influenced domestic design but it wasn’t until 1898 that the first female architect was admitted to the Royal Institute of British...
8 Out of This World Examples of Space Age Architecture
Mentions Mobil forecourt canopies
Design has always mirrored society, and both the Space Race and the Moon Landing had a huge impact on the era.
England’s Quirkiest Listed Places
Mentions Mobil forecourt canopies
You can search every list entry for free online and some may surprise you.
10 of England’s Best Post-War Buildings
Mentions Engineering Building, University of Leicester
With their unusual shapes and lines, discover some of England’s most prominent post-war buildings
Mentions Leicester
In All the Secret Postcards, writer and photographer Rod Duncan describes a father reminiscing during a visit from his concerned daughter.
Leicester | All the Secret Postcards | story by Rod Duncan
In All the Secret Postcards, writer and photographer Rod Duncan describes a father reminiscing during a visit from his concerned daughter. Whether remembered or imagined, the past and present of his hometown, Leicester, are brought to life in his memories. You can download the ebook of all the stories at https://historicengland.org.uk/highstreettales Made in conjunction with New Writing North and Writing East Midlands, and the series was produced by Sonderbug Productions with thanks to Darren Hayman for use of his song Pram Town. High Street Tales is part of Historic England’s High Street Cultural Programme; four years of nationwide cultural activity helping to make high streets more attractive, engaging and vibrant places for people to live, work and spend time. The programme is run by Historic England, in partnership with Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England. Follow us on social @HistoricEngland, using the hashtag #HighStreetTales.
Mentions Leicester
Picturing High Streets was a 3-year partnership between Historic England and photography champions @photoworks_uk, who worked with 9 regional partner...
How Photography Captured England’s Changing High Streets
Picturing High Streets was a 3-year partnership between Historic England and photography champions @photoworks_uk, who worked with 9 regional partner photography organisations to create a contemporary picture of England’s high streets.
The National Pipe Archive
Mentions Leicester
Historic England funding enables online access to digital resources and guidance notes from the National Pipe Archive.
Astronomical Research at Stonehenge
Mentions Leicester
Investigating prehistoric monuments in and around the Stonehenge World Heritage Site and their relationships to the heavens.
Astronomical Research at Stonehenge
Mentions Leicester
Investigating prehistoric monuments in and around the Stonehenge World Heritage Site and their relationships to the heavens.
Research Reports Roundup to February 2024
Mentions Leicester
A roundup of new additions to the Historic England Research Reports database and a longer term overview of industrial heritage reports.
New Funding to Uncover and Celebrate Working Class Heritage
Mentions Leicester
Historic England's Everyday Heritage Grant programme is funding 56 new projects across the nation, telling the stories of working class heritage.
Introducing Organic Residue Analysis and Archaeology: Guidance for Good Practice
Mentions Leicester
Describing the thinking behind Historic England's 2017 guide to organic residue analysis and what this technique can bring to archaeology.
Revising Historic England Guidance on Piling and Archaeology
Mentions Leicester
An article about turning research on the effect of piling construction on archaeology into best-practice advice.
Picturing High Streets: Over 200 Images Taken by the Public Enter Historic England Archive
Mentions Leicester
Documenting a year in the life of the English high street, images taken by the public as part of 'Picturing High Streets' can be viewed online.
New Historic England Report Shows Learning About Local Heritage at School Improves Local Pride
Mentions Leicester
New impact report 10th anniversary of the Heritage Schools programme from Historic England.
Funding for 57 New Projects Across England That Will Tell the Untold Stories of Our Nation’s Working-Class Heritage
Mentions Leicester
New Everyday Heritage Grants will fund community-led projects that aim to further the nation’s collective understanding of the past.
Historic England Launches Interactive Story Map for Schools to Celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee
Mentions Leicester
A resource to educate children about their local history, highlighting important sites that the Queen has visited throughout her 70-year reign.
Extraordinary Roman Mosaic and Villa Discovered Beneath Farmer’s Field in Rutland, East Midlands
Mentions Leicester
A Roman villa complex containing a rare mosaic has been discovered in a farmer’s field in Rutland, and was today protected as a scheduled monument.
Leicester's social history through photos
Over 10,000 images from the Historic England Archive have been specially selected and re-captioned for teachers, students, and anyone who wants to learn more about their local area.
Wheatsheaf Works, Leicester, Leicestershire
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
Built for the Co-operative Wholesale Society in 1891 and extended circa 1900, the building is of red brick and is constructed in neo-Jacobean style.
Wheatsheaf Works, Leicester, Leicestershire
Wheatsheaf Works, Knighton Fields Road, Leicester
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
This building was the Co-op Boot and Shoe Factory. It was built in 1891 for the Co-operative Wholesale Society.
Wheatsheaf Works, Knighton Fields Road, Leicester
Victoria Coffee House, Granby Street, Leicester, Leicestershire
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
Elevated view showing the tower and domes
Victoria Coffee House, Granby Street, Leicester, Leicestershire
Vaughan College, University of Leicester, Talbot Road, Leicester
Period: 1960s (1960 - 1969)
This building was designed as a college of education and a museum.
Vaughan College, University of Leicester, Talbot Road, Leicester
Turret Gateway, Castle View, Leicester
Period: Medieval (Middle Ages) (1066 - 1484)
This gateway was built in 1422-3. It was the main gateway to the inner bailey of Leicester Castle from The Newarke.
Turret Gateway, Castle View, Leicester
Turkey Cafe, 24-24 Granby Street, City Of Leicester
Period: 1920s (1920 - 1929)
The Turkey Caf� is a Grade II listed building in the Art Nouveau style of architecture.
Turkey Cafe, 24-24 Granby Street, City Of Leicester
Trinity Hospital Almshouses, The Newarke, Leicester
Period: Medieval (Middle Ages) (1066 - 1484)
These almshouses were founded in 1331 by Henry Earl of Lancaster and Leicester. They were rebuilt in 1901.
Trinity Hospital Almshouses, The Newarke, Leicester
Town Hall, Town Hall Square, Leicester, Leicestershire
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
Exterior of the Town Hall in Town Hall Square, Leicester looking south west towards the tower
Town Hall, Town Hall Square, Leicester, Leicestershire
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