Your base for local attractions

Ashby de la Zouch Castle
Tour the impressive ruins of a grand medieval castle within extensive and beautiful grounds. See the original setting for many of the scenes in Sir Walter Scott's classic tale 'Ivanhoe' and learn about the dramatic siege of Ashby with our free audio tour.  Climb the magnificent 24 metre Hastings Tower, split in two during the Civil War, offering superb views over the surrounding countryside. Explore the kitchen tunnel used in the siege - but bring a torch!
South Street, Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire, LE65 1BR
Tel: 01530 413343

Ashby de la Zouch Museum
Ashby Museum was established in 1982 in a small cottage in Lower Church Street. In 1991 it relocated to its present home in North Street, where it shares the old National School building with the town Library and Tourist Information Centre. In 2006-7, thanks to a major Heritage Lottery Fund Grant, a two storey extension was added. It won the Leicestershire Heritage Award for best temporary exhibitions in 1998, 2001 and 2003. In July 2007, the museum won Museum of the Year in Leicestershire. It works closely with the county Museum Service and other independent museums in the area, sharing expertise and artefacts.
North Street, Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire, LE65 1HU
Tel: 01530 560090

BarnsdaleGardens
The Barnsdale Gardens familiar to millions of BBC2 viewers as the home of Geoff Hamilton and Gardeners' World is open every day.  The gardens comprise 37 individual gardens and features that all blend together by linking borders into one 8 acre garden. There is not only a wealth of different plants to come and see in many different combinations but also many practical ideas for any garden.
The Avenue, Exton, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 8AH
Tel: 01572 813200

Belvoir Castle
Welcome to Belvoir Castle, the ancestral home of the Duke and Duchess of Rutland for one thousand years. The castle is currently the family home of the 11th Duke, Duchess and their young family.  The name Belvoir means 'beautiful view' and dates from Norman times. The Castle occupies a commanding position with breathtaking views across the Vale of Belvoir.
Belvoir, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG32 1PD
Tel: 01476 871002

Bradgate Park
Bradgate Park is Leicestershire's largest and most popular country park. It comprises of 840 acres of land with grass, heath, bracken, rocky outcrops, small woods, herds of deer and the River Lin. The Park also includes the ruins of Bradgate House, the birthplace and early home of Lady Jane Grey 1537-1554 (Nine Days Queen of England) Old John Tower folly, a well known Leicestershire landmark, stands on the ridge of high land.

Charnwood Museum
Charnwood Museum features a wide range of exhibits reflecting the history, geology, archaeology and industries of Charnwood and the surrounding area. Permanent displays include 'Coming to Charnwood', 'The Natural World of Charnwood', 'Living off the Land' and 'Earning a Living'.
Queen’s Park, Granby Street, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3DU
Tel: 01509 233737

Conkers
Set in the heart of the National Forest, children and adults can immerse themselves in wildlife and nature through exciting interactive exhibits. The Enchanted Forest adventure play area takes you on a journey through inter-linking cobweb walkways to the tree top house and the eagle's nest! There are also 120 acres of trails and habitats to explore along with many Ranger led activities. A great example of how to educate whilst entertaining.
Conkers, Millennium Avenue, Rawdon Road, Moira, Swadlincote, DE12 6GA
Tel: 01283 216633

Donington Grand Prix Collection
Take a trip around the World's largest collection of Grand Prix cars at the Donington Grand Prix Collection, and start an incredible journey through motor sport history.  You'll be able to get closer to these fantastic machines than ever before, as the five halls reveal their secrets including Senna's car which won the 1993 European Grand Prix at Donington Park.
Donington Park, Castle Donington, Derby, DE74 2RP
Tel: 01332 811027

Donington le Heath Manor House
Step back in time and experience how people really lived in Medieval, Tudor and Stuart Times at Donington le Heath Manor House.  This well preserved 17th Century Medieval Manor House, once owned and fashionably 'modernised' around 1618 by the family of Everard Digby - one of the infamous Gunpowder Plotters.  Enjoy an enlightening experience including an audio guide, interactive activities and a computer based virtual tour.
Manor Road, Donington-le-Heath, Coalville, Leicestershhire, LE67 2FW
Tel: 01530 831259

Framework Knitters Museum
The museum is located in unique restored 19th Century workshops, cottages and frameshops containing the collection of handframes which can be seen working daily. There is also a working collection of circular sock machines , on which you can try out your knitting skills. Experience the sight and sound of working machinery and gain a fascinating insight into the life and labour of a 19th Century framework knitting community.
Chapel Street, Ruddington, Nottingham, NG11 6HE
Tel: 0115 984 6914

Gorse Hill City Farm
A working farm with the opportunity to feed and touch the animals. There are play & picnic areas.  We can offer memberships, animal adoptions, volunteering form age 12+, work experience placements and OCR training in animal care.  The farm is a living classroom, we can tailor your educational visits.
Anstey Lane, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE4 0FJ
Tel: 0116 253 7582

Great Central Railway
The Great Central Railway is Britain's only double track main line heritage railway. The stations of this railway are restored to different periods of the main line's history.  Loughborough reflects the end of the era, in the 1960s. Quorn & Woodhouse played a significant part in the embarkation of troops for the D-Day campaign of the Second World War, and so reflects the 1940s. Rothley is the oldest period, restored to the gas lit Edwardian era of the turn of the last century.
Great Central Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 1RW
Tel: 01509 230726

Harborough Museum
Re-opened in September 2009 after a major refurbishment incorporating the new Treasure Gallery which includes the oldest coin ever found in Britain.  The display also includes several hundred objects from one of the most existing discoveries in recent times.
Council Offices, Adam and Eve Street, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, LE16 7AG
Tel: 01858 821085

Lakeside Arts Centre
Lakeside is the University of Nottingham's unique public arts facility based in the family-friendly surroundings of Highfields Park.  Since adding the Civic Trust Award Winning D.H. Lawrence Pavilion to the existing portfolio of the Djanogly Art Gallery and Djanogly Recital Hall in autumn 2001, Lakeside has rapidly established itself as a hugely successful new multi-arts centre in the East Midlands attracting almost half a million visitors in the first 3 years.
University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD
Tel: 0115 846 7777

Leicester Racecourse
Extending to 200 acres and steeped in more than 100 years of history, the Leicester Racecourse estate provides the perfect venue for the private or business client.  With thirty one race meetings spread across each year, and the Leicestershire Stakes (Group 3) as the centre piece of the racing calendar, Leicester is proud to be in the top flight of Britain's smaller courses.
Oadby, Leicester, LE2 4AL
Tel: 0116 271 6515

Melbourne Hall
Visit this beautiful House of History, the home of Lord and Lady Ralph Kerr.  In its picturesque poolside setting, Melbourne Hall was once the home of Victorian Prime Minister, William Lamb, who as 2nd Viscount Melbourne, gave his name to the famous city in Australia.  Browse around the Visitors Centre, open most days throughout the year, where the Gift Shop and Estate Workshops provide a fine selection of unique gift ideas.
Church Square, Melbourne, Derbyshire, DE73 8EN
Tel: 01332 862502

Melton Carnegie Museum
Melton Mowbray is a medieval market town, and was the only Leicestershire market recorded in the 1086 Domesday Survey. Find out about the enthralling history of the town at the Melton Carnegie Museum, located in the beautiful old Andrew Carnegie Library built in 1905.
Thorpe End, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, LE13 1RB
Tel: 0116 305 3860

National Gas Museum
The museum holds the largest collection of gas and gas related artefacts in the world. The objectives of the Trust are to ensure the preservation of the artefacts for future generations and to provide a way of collecting and displaying present and future artefacts.
195 Aylestone Road, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE2 7QH
Tel: 0116 250 3190

National Space Centre
The award winning National Space Centre is the UK's largest attraction dedicated to space. From the minute you catch sight of the Space Centre's futuristic Rocket Tower, you'll be treated to hours of breathtaking discovery and interactive fun.  Home to the UK’s largest 360° planetarium, the National Space Centre is a hands-on, interactive journey through six stunning galleries, amazing rocket tower, and S.I.M ride that offers an experience that is out of this world.
Exploration Drive, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE4 5NS
Tel: 0845 605 2001

Oakham Castle
The splendid Great Hall of Oakham Castle is one of the finest examples of late 12th century domestic architecture in England. It was built by Walkelin de Ferrers, a Norman baron, in about 1180-90.  The remains of other parts of the castle lie beneath the grass of the inner bailey. It was surrounded by earthen banks and stone walls which had at least two towers. To the north were gardens and fishponds.
Market Place, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6DX
Tel: 01572 858440

Quorn
Quorn station is one of the principal stops on the Great Central Railway. It has become a mainly residential village. Quorn is known world-wide for its link with Hugo Meynell, a dominant figure in English foxhunting who lived at Quorn Hall from 1753-1800.  D.H. Lawrence frequented the village in the early 20th century as he became engaged to a Quorn lady for a short time. There are several ecclesiastical buildings of note in the village, including St. Bartholomew's Parish Church, built from local Mountsorrel granite.

Rutland County Museum
The perfect introduction to England's smallest county.  The special exhibitions gallery, museum shop and local studies library, leads into displays of archaeology, history and an extensive rural life collection.
Catmose Street, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6HW
Tel: 01572 758440

Snibston
Snibston is set on the site of a former colliery and consists of an award winning interactive museum, scheduled ancient colliery buildings, the Century Theatre, and a one hundred acre country park and nature reserve. The museum displays a diverse and rich collection of historic objects telling the story of technology and design and how it has affected everyday life from the past to the present day, and the future.
Ashby Road, Coalville, Leicestershire, LE67 3LN
Tel: 01530 278444

Stanford Hall
Stanford, where Shakespeare's Avon flows gently through the Park, has been the home of the Cave family, ancestors of the present owner Mr Nicholas Fothergill since 1430.  In the 1690s, Sir Roger Cave commissioned the Smiths of Warwick to pull down the old Manor House and build the present Hall, which is a superb example of their work and of the William and Mary period.
Lutterworth, Leicestershire, LE17 6DH
Tel: 01788 860250

Stonehurst Family Farm & Museum
Enjoyment for the whole family at Stonehurst Farm and a warm welcome from the Duffin Family. Visitors can experience many farm activities such as: See and touch friendly farm yard animals, farm walks and go pond dipping, tractor & trailer rides and pony rides, play areas indoor and outdoor, home grown, free range and organic farm produce and a motor museum
Bond Lane, Mountsorrel, Leicestershire, LE12 7AR
Tel: 01509 413216

Swithland
Swithland is a pleasant Forest village close to both the Woods and Reservoir, which also bear its name. The village is known well beyond Charnwood for its dark blue slate, which produced roofing material from the times of the Romans to the 19th century. The same durable material has also been used for headstones in many churchyards over a wide area of the Midlands.  The village has a number of slate built cottages, in a style unique to the Charnwood area. St Leonard's Church sits by the edge of the parkland of Swithland Hall, ancestral home of the Earls of Lanesborough.

Twin Lakes Park
Sixty acres of action designed to appeal to children of all ages, with a huge variety of activities and multiple play zones indoors and outdoors. Attractions include assault courses, a large soft play area, indy pedal karts and rollercoasters for thrill seekers, with a farmyard and rowing boats for those wanting to take things a little slower.
Twin Lakes, Melton Spinney Road, Melton Mowbray, LE14 4SB
Tel: 01664 567777

Twycross Zoo
Within its 50 acres of parkland, the zoo houses nearly a 1000 animals, most of which are rare and endangered species. Its world famous primate collection ranges from the tiny Pygmy Marmosets (smallest of all the monkeys) to the huge Western Lowland Gorillas. Twycross is still the only UK zoo to house 'our closest living relative' - the Bonobo. See wildlife from across the world at Twycross Zoo, the centre for Education, Conservation and fun!
Burton Road, Atherstone, Warwickshire, CV9 3PX
Tel: 01827 880250