| Overview | Things to do | Suitability | Country Info (England) |
 |
Leicester is one of the few cities in England that can trace its growth from the Iron Age. In Leicester you can travel through the ages, and learn about the history of the city in its excellent Museums, and by taking an Old Town Heritage Trail available from the Tourist Information Centre.
Leicester was built on the Roman settlement known as Ratae Coritanorum. Today you can still see evidence of the Roman occupation at the Jewry Wall; this is the site of the largest Roman bath to be found in England. Visit the Jewry Wall and Archaeology Museum, which shows Leicester's history from prehistoric times to the Middle Ages and has some fine Roman relics, including the famous Peacock mosaic pavement. Leicester was the home of Simon de Montfort first Earl of Leicester, "father of English Parliament". Simon de Montfort led the famous revolt against Henry III, and forced Henry to grant the first English Parliament in 1265. With the growth of industry, Leicester grew to become the centre of the hosiery trade, expanding into the manufacture of knitwear, footwear and engineering in the 19th century. Engineering is still important in the city, which is home to the School of Engineering at Leicester University. |
