Essential Hotels > England > Leicestershire > Leicester

Leicester is a fascinating city that has a wealth of cultural diversity, a high-profile sporting heritage and a history that began as long ago as the Roman era. It is situated in the Midlands, to the east of Birmingham, and is the county town of Leicestershire. The presence of a vast ethnic minority population, due to a vast swathe of immigration after the Second World War, has led to increased vibrancy and colour around the city, with many South Asians in particular now living in the region.

The city has, for some time, been associated with sport, and in the past some even termed it the city of sport. There is a statue to celebrate this achievement and in 2008 Leicester was named European City of Sport. Most notably, the Leicester Tigers rugby team have enjoyed plenty of success in recent years, winning the English Premier League on five occasions throughout the 2000s. Leicestershire County Cricket Club experienced a successful 1990s in the four-day format of the game and they have secured victory twice in the Twenty20 tournament since its inception. Finally, Leicester City football club experienced top flight football in the 1990s and moved to the Walkers Stadium in 2002. The ground is associated with the crisps of the same name, still advertised by former city player Gary Lineker in television adverts.

Showing evidence of Roman rule in the area, Leicester remains home to some Roman baths and roads. During the Roman era the settlement was a military outpost known as Ratae Corieltauvorum. Later, in the Domesday Book of 1086 the town was referenced as Ledecestre and from then on it grew into a market town. Industrialisation led to substantial growth and urbanisation as the revolution of the 18th and 19th centuries spread across the Midlands. Then, in the 19th century, the development of canals and rails brought more growth. Significantly, in 1919, Leicester received city status, and an inter-war housing programme paved the way for the 290,000 people who live in the city today.

A place of established culture, there is something to suit everyone in Leicester, whether that is a historic monument, a shopping experience or a show or festival. Leicester is home to castle ruins, St Martin’s Cathedral, Roman baths, and a series of museums, as well as the 2008-built Curve Theatre and the National Space Centre. Meanwhile, a Caribbean Carnival takes place in the city each year, as does the Leicester Comedy Festival.