Top Leicester Walking Tours

This self-guided audio walking tour through medieval Leicester is hosted by historian and History Hit podcaster Matt Lewis. On this walking tour, you'll discover the dramatic history hiding behind the 2012 discovery of King Richard III beneath a city car park. Over the next hour, your smartphone's GPS automatically plays Matt’s narration at exactly the right time and place, letting you safely explore at your own pace. Starting at the Richard III Visitor Centre, you'll track the final footsteps of England’s last Plantagenet king. You'll learn the secrets of the Newarke Gateway, pass the drafty remains of Leicester Castle, and look down at the ancient Roman wall. You'll walk to Bow Bridge to learn the grim legend of Richard's departure, explore St. Nicholas Church, and marvel at the architecture of Guildhall Lane. The tour finishes at the Cathedral Gardens by Richard's statue and final tomb. Download the app and step into history!

The history of Oakham goes back over a thousand years with people living here much earlier too. Oakham is a beautiful vibrant market town which somehow manages to be wonderfully quiet compared to the noisy chaos of London. It makes for a great day out or even long weekend away. Our special private walking tour is the best way to either see it all or get your bearings for a longer stay. Our Private Walking Tour is just for you and will explore all the nooks and crannies of this beautiful market town, the county town of Rutland. See the unique castle set amongst its old walls and beautiful park with old bandstand. Admire the fabulous old church and check out the old Stocks in the Buttermarket amongst much more besides. Oakham and Rutland are known for being great for foodies and there is lots to see and buy. It's a private tour so runs when you want it and at whatever pace you like. Please note Oakham is a small market town, museum & castle interior closed Sundays & Tuesdays.

Our Private Oakham Pub Tour isn’t just a pub tour but also visits some of the oldest and most characterful parts of the market town of Oakham and we will see castles, churches, market squares, and all sorts of other history along the way.  A drink for each person in each pub is included in the tour price though of course, soft and sometimes hot drinks are available if preferred. We normally meet outside Oakham Railway Station which is easy for day-trippers from London (also Nottingham, Peterborough, and Leicester) but this tour is also perfect for anyone staying in one of the lovely hotels in Rutland, all just a short taxi ride away.  If you’re staying in Oakham itself, I can meet you at your hotel.

Just over an hour from London by train ( I do the journey daily), Leicester is rich in history, sport and culture. Remember the discovery of King Richard III under a carpark in Leicester. In this tour we will visit the spot where he had lain buried for 527 years as well as visiting his majestic resting place in Leicester Cathedral where he was re-interred in the presence of royals and descendants of those who fought with him at the Battle of Bosworth. On our private walking tour of Leicester we will also visit the beautiful old Guildhall and see the old Jewry Wall Bathhouse which dates from Roman times and visit other spots that were important in the life and death of King Richard III Leicester also played host to the English Civil War. Whilst not much of the castle remains now it has an important past. You can still see the loopholes the Parliamentary defenders made to shoot out at the Royalists outside. We will also explore the ‘modern’ Georgian streets in the centre of the city.

Your guides know Leicester well. They know the medieval history too. Have fun visiting the key sites in the company of someone who can tell all the stories, as well as answer any questions you might have. You’ll see places that are not easy to find, and come away with a love for King Richard’s life and times. The tour works perfectly with your own visit to the tomb in the Cathedral and to the Richard III visitor centre.