Leicester Castle

The Midlands & the Marches


Scattered around the Newarke Houses Museum are the ruins of Leicester's medieval castle, where Richard III spent his final days before the Battle of Bosworth. The monumental gateway known as the Magazine was once a storehouse for cannonballs and gunpowder. Dating from the 12th century and clad in Georgian brickwork, the Great Hall stands behind a 15th-century gate near the church of St Mary de Castro, where Geoffrey Chaucer was married in 1366.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby The Midlands & the Marches attractions

1. Great Hall

0.01 MILES

Clad in Georgian brickwork, the 12th-century Great Hall stands behind a 15th-century gate near the church of St Mary de Castro. Once used as a crown court…

2. St Mary de Castro

0.04 MILES

Geoffrey Chaucer married Philippa de Roet in 1366 at this Norman church in the former bailey of Leicester Castle.

3. Newarke Houses Museum

0.11 MILES

Sprawling over two 16th-century mansions, this entertaining museum details the lifestyle of locals through the centuries. Don't miss the walk-through…

4. Magazine

0.15 MILES

The most impressive chunk of Leicester Castle's remaining masonry is the monumental gateway known as the Magazine, once a storehouse for cannonballs and…

5. Jewry Wall Museum

0.17 MILES

This museum exploring the history of Leicester from Roman times to the modern day was undergoing renovations at the time of writing, and is expected to…

6. St Nicholas Church

0.19 MILES

Dating from c 900, St Nicholas is Leicester's oldest place of worship, and incorporates tiles and masonry from Leicester's Roman baths. Hours can vary.

7. Guildhall

0.19 MILES

Leicester's perfectly preserved 14th-century guildhall, one of England's finest, is reputed to be the city's most haunted building.

8. Leicester Cathedral

0.23 MILES

Pride of place at this substantial medieval cathedral goes to the contemporary limestone tomb atop the vault where the remains of King Richard III were…