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Article #73: Sightseeing in Leicester

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The undoubted oldest structure in of the planet, Mighty Dinosaurs,
Leicester is the Jewry Wall. This is a Leicestershire's rocks, Ancient
section of ancient wall about 5m high and Egyptians, and of course, art galleries.
23m long alongside Talbot Lane in the The art galleries contain varied
city centre. Originally known as collections on themes such as; Our World
Hadrian's bath House, it is part of what through Art, Expressionism, The Captured
was the Roman baths, built there sometime Image, World art and Gallery Nine, which
around 130 AD. Unfortunately, unlike is devoted to the artistic expression of
other Roman bath houses, due to an the multi-ethnic nature of the city.
engineering error the aqueduct that was Leicester is the home of the National
supposed to feed water into the baths was Space Centre, which is off Corporation
mis-aligned, resulting in the Roman Road to the North of the city. If
bathers having to use a cistern to fill travelling to it by car, the road signage
the baths by hand. A shocking state of can be confusing. However, when near, you
affairs in those days! There is of course can't miss its distinctive shape.
a Jewry Wall Museum, which also houses Unfortunately, you won't be able to see
Roman artefacts, including Roman any rockets taking off from here as the
milestones from nearby Fosse Way and National Space Centre is a museum
mosaic floor-tiles. concerned with space exploration. The
Enclosed in the same grounds as St centre has a constantly changing series
Martin's, Leicester Cathedral, and of events and activities. However, it
in-between Guildhall Lane and Peacock also houses permanent exhibitions such as
Lane, is the Guildhall. This space rockets, space capsules,
half-timbered building was originally satellites, orbiting the earth and
built in the late fourteenth century and exploring the universe. There is an
has, through the ages, been the Town emphasis on the National Space Centre
Hall, a prison and a police station. Now being an interactive museum, so there's
open to the public, the warped beams and plenty to get involved in rather than
rickety floor in the Great Hall being a passive viewer. After standing by
immediately demonstrate that you are in a the huge booster rockets that are on
truly ancient building. In 1642 part of display, you can go to The Space Theatre,
it was occupied by the town's library, which takes you on a journey through the
making it the third oldest public library galaxy. The National Space Centre excels
in the country. For the more ghoulish as an educational museum and supports a
visitors, it is reputed to be the most variety of educational activities.
haunted building in Leicester. You can Nearby to Leicester city is Market
see the old prison cells and the Bosworth, not necessarily in itself worth
conditions endured by their captives and a visit although it is a pleasant village
if you wish, you can see the gibbet from to see. The special thing about it is
which the bodies of the hanged were put that nearby, to the south at Sutton
on public display up until 1840. Whilst Cheny, is the historic Bosworth Field,
in this area you can also visit the site of the famous defeat of Richard III
cathedral. However, apart from the finely by Henry Tudor. Here there is a visitor's
carved medieval wooden entrance porch, centre to provide all the background
there is little evidence of the original information you might need before you
eleventh century building. proceed on a tour of the battlefield
Refurbished in 2006 and early 2007 itself. There is an annual re-enactment
Newarke House Museum is housed in two of the last battle in the 'War of the
sixteenth century buildings, Wygston's Roses' on the week-end nearest to August
Chantry House and Skeffington House, at 22nd, to commemorate the actual battle of
the bottom of the Castle Gardens. Its 1485. NB. Archaeologists are currently
main theme is the daily life of 'Everyman re-assessing whether this was the actual
in 20th Century Leicester', with site of the battle or not. If you visit
galleries dedicated to displays on the it you may wonder how well the site
story of immigration into Leicester, the matches the contemporary descriptions of
Teddy Boy era and a recreation of it.
shopping in the 1940s. The museum also You might also consider visiting Belvoir
houses the history of the Royal Castle. Historic home of the Duke &
Leicestershire regiment. Duchess of Rutland, it commands a
Another newly refurbished museum in beautiful view (belvoir) across the Vale
Leicester is the New Walk Museum off of Belvoir. Dating back to Norman times
Princess Road West, as you head out of it was almost completely destroyed during
the city centre to the South West. This the 'Wars of the Roses'. The current
is Leicester's oldest established museum building was completed in the 19th
and houses scientific and artistic Century. Belvoir Castle is off the A1
collections. Current exhibitions include; near Grantham.
Wild Space - looking at the biodiversity






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