Leicestershire
Explore hidden histories, historic photos, and things you never knew about Leicestershire from the collections and archives of Historic England.
Discover your local listed buildings and places
Introducing some of Leicestershire'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.
Battle of Bosworth (Field) 1485
Dadlington & Sutton Cheney
The Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485 decided the outcome of the Wars of the Roses, a turning point in English history.
Belvoir Castle
Belvoir
Extensive landscape park and various gardens, mostly early C19 but incorporating late C17 elements, largely laid out to a plan of 1780 by Capablility Brown, and associated with a...
Former Carlton Hayes Hospital Chapel
Narborough
Former Carlton Hayes Hospital chapel built 1904-1907 by S P Pick.
Scraptoft Hall
Scraptoft
Country house dating to 1723 but with an early C17 core, converted into apartments in the early C21.
Langton Hall
West Langton
Langton Hall's estate originated in the 16th century, evolving over time into a prominent landscape park around a country house, with gardens and architectural contributions from several...
Hallaton motte and bailey castle
Hallaton
Hallaton Castle, a well-preserved motte and bailey castle in Leicestershire, represents an important Norman fortification, highlighting early post-Conquest military structures and estate...
Deserted medieval village of Hamilton
Barkby Thorpe
The deserted medieval village of Hamilton, near Leicester, features well-preserved archaeological sites, including a moated residence and fishponds, reflecting medieval settlement patterns...
Moated site and deserted medieval village at Old Ingarsby
Hungarton
Ingarsby features well-preserved medieval village earthworks and a moated manor, historically rich as the Leicester Abbey's grange property, crucial for understanding medieval settlement and...
The Mount motte at Melton Mowbray
Melton Mowbray
The Mount motte at Melton Mowbray is a rare Norman fortification in Leicestershire, significant for studying Norman Britain and the feudal system.
Stapleford Hall
Freeby
Stapleford Hall, remodeled and expanded by the Sherards and later owners, features gardens and parkland landscaped by Lancelot Brown in the 1770s, now functioning as a hotel.
Bradgate Park
Newtown Linford
Bradgate Park is a medieval deer park with ruins of Bradgate House, known for historical connections to the Grey family and later public ownership by a local industrialist.
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.
Quenby Hall
Cold Newton
Quenby Hall, an early 17th-century H-plan brick house, is notable for its historical association with the Ashby family and its extensive gardens and parkland in Leicestershire.
Ambion deserted medieval village
Dadlington & Sutton Cheney
Ambion deserted medieval village reflects medieval rural settlement and was likely deserted due to the plague.
The Old Vicarage and Hastings House
Ashby-de-la-Zouch
Vicarage constructed in 1860 to the designs of James Piers St Aubyn, subdivided into two dwellings in the early C21.
Former Western Park Open Air School
Leicester
Former open air school built between 1928 and 1930 to designs by J. O. Thompson.
Wreake Valley Academy
Syston
Former Wreake Valley Community College (now academy) built 1967-1971 to the designs of Gollins, Melvin, Ward and Partners for Leicestershire Education Department.The sixth form/adult...
St Mary and St Lazarus Hospital, moated site and two fish…
Burton and Dalby
Burton Lazars was England's most significant leprosy hospital, featuring well-preserved medieval remains, moats, and fishponds, emphasizing permanent isolation and treatment for leprosy...
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.
Lowesby Hall
Cold Newton
The manor of Lowesby evolved under the Wollaston family, later enhanced by Sir Edwin Lutyens, with significant historical and architectural changes from the 17th century onwards.
Nevill Holt
Medbourne
Nevill Holt, owned by the Nevill family, evolved from a medieval hall begun in 1288 into a major estate with 17th-century gardens, later improved in the 19th century.
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...
Baggrave Hall
Hungarton
Baggrave Hall, a historical estate near Leicester, features 18th-century landscapes, gardens, and architecture.
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.
Inclined plane immediately east of Foxton Locks
Foxton
The inclined plane near Foxton Locks, built between 1898 and 1900, is an exceptional example of late Victorian canal engineering, notable for its innovative design and historical...
Whatton House
Hathern
Whatton House features late 19th-century gardens with a notable Chinese Garden. Originally developed by Edward Dawson, it was rebuilt in 1876 by the first Lord Crawshaw.
Police Box, Newtown Linford
Newtown Linford
A Leicestershire Police telephone box of around 1931, moved to its present location in 1952.
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.
Eastfield Primary School
Thurmaston
Primary School built 1966-1968 to the designs of Ahrends, Burton and Koralek. A square extension was added to the east side in 2002, this is not included in the listing.
Motte and associated earthworks at Shackerstone
Shackerstone
The motte at Shackerstone, a key Norman fortification, survives well with original earthworks and a fishpond, offering insights into medieval military architecture.
Church of St Peter and St Paul
Great Bowden
Parish church of C13-C15, with C18 porches, and low-key restoration by Talbot Brown and Fisher 1886-87.
Snibston Colliery
Coalville
Snibston Colliery first developed in1831-1832 by George and Robert Stephenson working in partnership Joseph Sanders and Sir Joshua Warmsley.
Church of St Dionysius
Market Harborough
The Church of St Dionysius, built in the early 13th century, features a striking grey ashlar tower and brooch spire from the 14th century, dominating Market Harborough's skyline.
Leicestershire 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 Leicestershire changes over time.
Prehistoric Before AD 43
Prehistory covers a million years of human occupation before the Roman invasion, from hunter-gatherers of several human species, including Neanderthals, to more recent herders and farmers. It was a time of developing technologies and belief systems, involving contact with and migration from Europe, all reflected in the variety of artefact and monument types characteristic of particular prehistoric periods.
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.
Prehistoric Before AD 43
Prehistory covers a million years of human occupation before the Roman invasion, from hunter-gatherers of several human species, including Neanderthals, to more recent herders and farmers. It was a time of developing technologies and belief systems, involving contact with and migration from Europe, all reflected in the variety of artefact and monument types characteristic of particular prehistoric periods.
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 Leicestershire
Aerial photography helps reveal secrets of England's changing landscapes that are impossible to see from the ground.
Scraptoft
Scraptoft Hall, Scraptoft, 1947
Scraptoft
Scraptoft Hall, Scraptoft, 1947
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 and the Castle Gardens, 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
Belvoir
Belvoir Castle and the surrounding area, Belvoir, 1947
Belvoir
Belvoir Castle, Belvoir, 1948
Leicestershire 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 Leicestershire'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
Eric de Mare
Scraptoft, Harborough, Leicestershire
Date created: 1957 - 1980
Exterior view of Leicester Teacher Training College showing the entrance to the assembly hall block.
John Gay Collection: Modern Architects
Loughborough, Charnwood, Leicestershire
Date created: 1960 - 1969
Looking across the pond in front of the Chemistry Building at Loughborough University of Technology and showing a man on the walkway leading to the...
John Gay Collection: Rural Life
City Of Leicester
Date created: 1959
The timber framed gatehouse to St Mary de Castro Church in Leicester
John Gay Collection: Counties
Lewin Bridge, Charnwood, Leicestershire
Date created: 1950 - 1954
A hanging gate pub sign with the lettering "This gate hangs well and hinders none, refresh and pay and travel on," at The Gate Hangs Well.
John Laing Collection
Charnwood, Leicestershire
Date created: 13 Mar 1963
A view from the west showing separating tanks at Wanlip Sewage Works, with aeration units to the right
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
Alfred Newton and Sons
Packington, North West Leicestershire, Leicestershire
Date created: 1896 - 1920
EXTERIOR VIEW FROM THE SOUTH WEST
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
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
Wellsborough, Hinckley And Bosworth, Leicestershire
Date created: 1900 - 1950
GENERAL VIEW SHOWING GARDEN PAVILION
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 Leicestershire.
Birmingham School with a Grand Central Hall Awarded Rare Grade II* Listed Status
Mentions Leicestershire
King Edward VI Girls Grammar School in Handsworth, Birmingham, has been granted Grade II* listed status by DCMS on the advice of Historic England.
How Did Shakespeare Hide the Truth Behind the Wars of the Roses Battlefields?
Mentions Battle of Bosworth (Field) 1485
Discover the myths and realities of England's historic battlefields in the Wars of the Roses as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of their register.
Uncovering Local History Hidden on our Streets
Mentions Police Box, Newtown Linford
From post boxes to milestones, drinking fountains to telephone boxes, historic street furniture can reveal lots about your local heritage.
5 Things to Know About Coronations
Mentions Battle of Bosworth (Field) 1485
Discover the history and heritage behind the ancient English coronation ceremony.
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...
5 Chilling Tales From Churches in England
Mentions Church of St Mary
Uncover spooky stories of dark magic and local legends at five of England’s most atmospheric churches.
Margaret of Anjou: Player in a Real Life Game of Thrones
Mentions Battle of Bosworth (Field) 1485
Margaret of Anjou, who Shakespeare later called ‘The She-Wolf of France’, was one of the major players in the late 15th century Wars of the Roses.
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.
A Brief History of Fire Stations
Mentions The Round House
Identifiable by their big red doors, England’s network of historic fire stations reach out to every city, town and village.
7 Unusual War Memorials
Mentions Taylor's Bell Foundry (That Part on West Side of Cobden Street)
The aftermath of the First World War saw a wave of public commemoration, sometimes in the form of quite unusual war memorials.
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
Birmingham School with a Grand Central Hall Awarded Rare Grade II* Listed Status
Mentions Leicestershire
King Edward VI Girls Grammar School in Handsworth, Birmingham, has been granted Grade II* listed status by DCMS on the advice of Historic England.
Extent of Heritage and Cultural Property Crime in England Revealed
Mentions Church of St Denys, Church of St Helen, Leicestershire
New research funded by Historic England identifies the range of active and emerging threats to the historic environment.
Heritage at Risk in the Midlands Revealed
Mentions The Old Rectory Museum, Leicestershire
41 sites have been saved and 32 sites added to the Heritage at Risk Register 2023 in the Midlands.
Research Reports Roundup November 2022
Mentions Leicestershire
An overview of additions to the Historic England Research Reports database from January to November 2022.
Historic England Highlights Fascinating Heritage Sites Listed in 2022
Mentions Kibworth Cemetery lych gate and iron gate, Leicestershire
As 2022 draws to a close, Historic England highlights gems added to the National Heritage List for England (NHLE) over the last 12 months.
Historic England Highlights Captivating Heritage Sites Listed in 2021
Mentions Market Harborough Ambulance Station, The Old Fire Station, Police Box, Newtown Linford
Highlights from over 400 historic places which have been added to or amended on the National Heritage List for England in 2021.
Extraordinary Roman Mosaic and Villa Discovered Beneath Farmer’s Field in Rutland, East Midlands
Mentions Leicestershire
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.
Heritage and Craft Workers Across England Given a Helping Hand
Mentions Leicestershire
142 historic sites across England are receiving grants worth £35 million through the government’s Culture Recovery Fund.
Champion Heritage Schools Scheme Launches
Mentions Leicestershire
Historic England Launches new school–led scheme to champion local heritage teaching.
10 Years of Extraordinary Archaeological Discoveries
Mentions Greyfriars, Leicester
Historic England celebrates 10 fascinating archaeological discoveries of the past decade
Former Burial Place of King Richard III Granted Protection
Mentions Greyfriars, Leicester, Leicestershire
The remains of a 13th century monastic site, Greyfriars in Leicester - the former burial place of King Richard III has been granted protection.
12 of the Best Post-War Schools Listed
Mentions Richmond Primary School, Wreake Valley Academy, Leicestershire
Newly listed school buildings include a plastic classroom known as 'the bubble' in Preston and a 'high-tech' infants school in Hampshire.
Leicestershire'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.
Workshop, George Street, Enderby, Leicestershire
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
This building was built in the mid 19th century. It was a workshop for framework knitting.
Workshop, George Street, Enderby, Leicestershire
Windmill, Main Street, Croxton Kerrial, Leicestershire
Period: Georgian (1714 - 1836)
This type of windmill is known as a smock mill. This one was built in the early 1800s.
Windmill, Main Street, Croxton Kerrial, Leicestershire
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
War Memorial north of Polebrook House, Desford, Leicestershire
Period: 1920s (1920 - 1929)
This war memorial was built in c1920.
War Memorial north of Polebrook House, Desford, Leicestershire
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
Ullesthorpe Mill, Mill Road, Ullesthorpe, Leicestershire
Period: Georgian (1714 - 1836)
This windmill was built in 1800. It was paid for by subscription, meaning local people clubbed together to pay for it.
Ullesthorpe Mill, Mill Road, Ullesthorpe, Leicestershire
Visit grant-aided places near you
These places and buildings have been helped by Historic England's financial grants. Find local heritage in your neighbourhood that you never knew existed! Please note that opening times may vary.
Squires Monument, NW of Church of St James, Melton Road, Burton Lazars, Melton, Leicestershire
This chest tomb is surmounted by an elaborate monument. It was erected by the executors of William Squire and is dated 1781.
Discover more
Ready for more local stories? Take a look at these other places nearby
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Charnwood
Local Authority District