Things to do in Leicester
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The National Space Centre
The National Space Centre is a spectacular and successful attempt to bring space science to us ordinary mortals. Interactive displays cover cosmic myths, the history of astronomy and the development of space travel; in the Space Now! area you can check on the status of all current space missions.
Films in the domed Space Theatre (included in the admission price) launch you to the far reaches of the galaxy, and you can come back to earth with a coffee in Boosters Café. Don't miss the displays on zero-gravity toilets and the amazing germ-devouring underpants. The centre is off the A6 about 1.5 miles north of the city centre. Take bus No 54 from Charles St in the centre.
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Jewry Wall Museum
You can see fine Roman mosaics and frescoes in this museum exploring the history of Leicester from Roman times to the modern day. In front of the museum is the Jewry Wall, part of Leicester's Roman baths. Tiles and masonry from the baths were incorporated in the walls of neighbouring St Nicholas' Church.
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Golden Mile
A showcase of Leicester's teeming diversity, the Golden Mile is a vibrant Asian quarter. Located a mile to the north of the centre, it is renowned for its restaurants - visitors often make a special trip to fill up on specialist Indian and vegetarian food. Apart from other Asian restaurants, there are also clothing and jewellery shops in the area.
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Jain Centre
Materials were shipped in from India to convert a disused church into a Jain Centre. The building is faced with marble, and the temple - the first Jain temple outside the subcontinent and the only one in Europe - boasts a forest of beautifully carved pillars inside. Jainism evolved in India at around the same time as Buddhism.
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Newarke Houses Museum
Sprawling over two 16th-century mansions, this entertaining museum has exhibits detailing the lifestyles of local people through the centuries. Don't miss the displays on Daniel Lambert, the walk-through re-creation of a WWI trench, and the trophies of the Royal Leicestershire Regiment, including an outrageous snuff box made from a tiger's head.
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New Walk Museum & Art Gallery
New Walk Museum & Art Gallery is a child-friendly series of displays on space, materials and art. Adults should get something from the surprisingly varied exhibits too, which range from a Siberian mammoth-ivory paperknife to a life-size portrait of local rugby legend Martin Johnson.
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Case
One of Leicester's finest places to eat out, this is in the unlikely setting of a former suitcase factory. A refined hubbub fills the airy 1st-floor space where exotic influences infuse traditional English recipes. The Champagne Bar downstairs is easier on the wallet.
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Charlotte
Leicester's legendary venue has staged Oasis and the Stone Roses, among others, before they became megastars. With a late licence and club nights, it's grungy, it's lively, it caters for all sorts of musical tastes - and it keeps packing 'em in.
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Sardaar Restaurant
Very cheap vegetarian Indian platters are served in this stripped-back diner-style café. Dishes won't do the cholesterol count much good, but the mango lassi style drink is to die for. It's west of the centre.
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Looking Glass
If you hadn't sussed it from the name, this is the place to see and be seen on Braunstone Gate. Funky mirror-decked walls, beautiful young things and a basement with decent live acoustic music make this well worth a visit.
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Opera House
Located in a very historical building with a colourful history (it used to be a brothel), this classy Leicester restaurant has an excellent chef. Head downstairs for the intimate, atmospheric underground dining area.
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Globe
At last, that rare beast, a traditional old pub (built in 1720) in a city centre where there's no edge to the night-time drinking - just fine draught ales, a warm atmosphere and little alcoves to lose yourself in.
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Orange Tree
A laid-back Bohemian crowd mills down to the Orange Tree, wedged between two much less appealing chain pubs. Decked with colourful, modernist paintings, it also has a beer garden that overflows in the summer.
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Original Four
Behind a mock-Tudor façade, this place cooks up four floors of diverse beats, from electric tracks to live-music sets. It has seen more popular days but is still one of the best clubbing options in town.
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Guildhall
Leicester's perfectly preserved 14th-century guildhall is reputed to be the most haunted building in Leicester. You can search for spooks in the magnificent Great Hall, the wood-panelled 'Mayor's Parlour' and the old police cells, which contain a reconstruction of a 19th-century gibbet.
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Guru Nanak Gurdwara
Close to the Jewry Wall is the Sikh Guru Nanak Gurdwara. There is a small museum, which contains an impressive model of the Golden Temple in Amritsar, India, and a Sikh/Panjabi heritage exhibition.
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Friends
Chefs from New Delhi proudly prepare authentic North Indian recipes at this mainstay of the Golden Mile, still going strong after more than two decades.
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Attik
Small, grungy venue off Halford Lane, Attik hosts drum and bass nights, as well as a string of punk rock, Goth, industrial and guitar-led indie acts.
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O-Bar
A relaxed, unpretentious crowd heads to the colourful, retro-cool of this bar, which gets absolutely packed to the rafters on weekend nights.
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De Montfort Hall
Big-name stars, big orchestras, and big song-and-dance acts are on the bill at this huge venue near Leicester University.
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Bossa
Latin rhythms, cheap, tasty snacks (toasties) and a relaxed, bohemian crowd populate this pint-sized, gay-friendly bar/café.
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Phoenix Arts Centre
This is Leicester's main venue for art-house films, fringe plays, comedy and dance events.
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Po Na Na
An eclectic mix of reggae, electronic, funk and indie somehow works in this popular venue.
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Y
The Y, a theatre and bar attached to the YMCA, hosts concerts, cabaret, poetry and plays.
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Liquid
Fresh and friendly with enough juices to satisfy anyone's daily vitamin requirements.
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