Last Updated on June 19, 2024 by Suzy McCullough
Leicester is a large City in Leicestershire, East Midlands. Richard III was reinterred there in 2015 and has stood at the city’s heart for over 900 years There’s plenty to enjoy a full day out, if not longer. Here are some ideas below for things to do indoors and outdoors.
Abbey Park
Average time of visit – 1-2 hours. Outdoors
Abbey Park is Leicester’s premier park and lies approximately one mile north of the city centre. On the western side of the river are the fascinating Abbey Grounds with the remains of the twelfth-century Leicester Abbey, and the ruins of Cavendish House, a seventeenth-century mansion.
Abbey Park Café and Pets Corner are also located on this side of the park. To the east of the river lies the highly decorative Victorian part of the park with its evergreen shrubberies, trees, boating lake, miniature railway, and formally planted flower displays. There are playgrounds and a lavender maze also in the park.
Congo River Adventure Golf – Outskirts Leicester
Average time of visit – 1 hour. Outdoors
The only Congo River Adventure Golf in Leicester, consisting of 18 holes. A favourite amongst families & friends, social groups and work-business related events, has just got better! The Congo River has just undergone a huge refurbishment with all-new features, obstacles and life-sized animals! It is a hit for all and guarantees a fantastic day out. The course is packed full of exciting features such as abandoned camps, aircraft and vehicle wreckages and bridges across the water. Come and play today on a pay-and-play basis– no booking required.
Goldhill Adventure Playground
Average time of visit – 1-2 hours. Outdoors
An adventure playground running a range of projects for young people, where we’re sure
you’ll have a great time! The playground is where it all happens. We have giant structures that you can climb where you’ll meet people and make friends.
Gorse Hill City Farm
Average time of visit – 1 hour. Indoors and Outdoors.
Gorse Hill City Farm is situated on a 20-acre site on the outskirts of Leicester City Centre we are a registered charity, a working farm and a community project dedicated to the welfare of our animals and to providing a fun and educational experience for all.
Open 365 days a year, with over 100 animals for you to meet. We offer the opportunity to see rare and native breeds of animals that you might not be able to see elsewhere. Our experience is completely interactive and immersive. You can feed the animals and there is a playground.
Hollywood Bowl
Average time of visit – 45 mins to 2 hours. Indoors
Ten-pin bowling is great all-round fun whether you’re with family, friends or work colleagues. With state-of-the-art bowling alleys, delicious food and drink, awesome arcades and all-new virtual reality experiences, we promise to keep everyone entertained.
King Richard III Visitor Centre
Average time of visit – 2 hours, Indoors
The King Richard III Visitor Centre is in the heart of the city of Leicester. It is an informative museum that tells the fascinating story of the King and the moving story of his life and death. The centre is relatively new having opened in 2014.
Knighton Park
Average time of visit – 1 hour. Outdoors
This beautiful and popular 78-acre park has become one of the city’s most popular features. Trees are a strong feature of the park with avenues of laburnum close to the Spinney, gingko (maidenhair) avenue in the Heath Garden and a charming path bordered by magnolias across the middle of the park. Facilities – Football pitches, footGolf course, orienteering courses and outdoor gym. Plus ping! Tables, play area, tennis courts and sensory garden.
Laser Force
Average time of visit – 1-2.5 hours. Indoors
Laserforce is an exciting, participation fantasy game allowing players to be the space hero that they have always wanted to be, in a safe environment. Using laser guns (totally safe), players battle friends or foes and our own computer-controlled alien within a futuristic, visually exciting, interactive arena where laser beams, pierce the darkness in a pyrotechnic display reminiscent of Star Wars.
Players wearing illuminated Battlesuits and armed with Phaser Guns hide behind protective cover and manoeuvre through our themed maze – shooting all the while.
Leicester Leys Leisure Centre
Average time of visit – 1-2 hours. Indoors
This centre has a leisure pool with a wave machine, two flumes, an activity pool and a toddler and baby pool, as well as a climbing wall, gym and facilities for many other activities.
Mega Zone Lazer Tag
Average time of visit – 1-2.5 hours. Indoors
At Megazone Leicester, we’re seasoned specialists in providing an intense, exhilarating and fun laser tag experience for both kids and adults. We run everything from children’s birthday parties to corporate team outings, as well as special sessions during the holidays and events such as Comedy Tag and Retro Tag.
Our variety of games means that you’ll never have the same experience twice. Fancy taking a break? You can chill out in our spacious reception with a drink and some of our delicious comfort food, or have a blast on one of our arcade machines.
National Space Centre
Average time of visit – 4 hours, Indoors
The National Space Centre is located in the centre of Leicester. There is an excellent Planetarium show each day. Make sure you reserve your time slot when you arrive. They have six galleries full of all things space. There are plenty of interactive and highly educational exhibits. You can even see the iconic rocket tower which down in the cafe pretends to blast off into space with sounds and some smoke every few minutes.
Odeon Cinema
Average time of visit – 2-3 hours. Indoors
Welcome to your luxury cinema, where every seat reclines. Every seat on every row in your cinema has been expertly designed so you can relax and recline during your film. With fewer seats and extra space, you’ll have a more personal, immersive experience with every visit. Our selection of fine wines and beers sits perfectly alongside our irresistible new menu of hot and chilled food. Plus with your own table built into your seat, you can enjoy your delicious cinema snacks in maximum comfort.
Spinney Hill Park
Average time of visit – 1 hour. Outdoors
Created in 1885, Spinney Hill Park is a popular park with 34 acres of sloping parkland with walks under shady tree avenues, playgrounds and ball courts. Money from the Heritage Lottery Fund has allowed substantial improvements to be made. These included a new infinity garden.
Tree Top Adventure Golf
Average time of visit – 1-2+ hours. Indoors
Come and play our two indoor, 18–hole mini-golf courses. Tackle the Tropical Trail or Ancient Explorer then brave the bonus 19th hole to win a free round.
There are other larger attractions in Leicester which are the National Space Centre and the Richard III Centre. These will have stand-alone reviews as they are a day out in themselves.
For soft play please see – Soft Play Centres in Leicestershire
Prices and opening times vary. Please check the websites before visiting. For soft play please follow this link.
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