National Space Centre

The Midlands & the Marches


Although British space missions usually launch from French Guiana or Kazakhstan, Leicester's space museum is a fascinating introduction to the mysteries of the spheres. The ill-fated 2003 Beagle 2 mission to Mars was controlled from here. Fun, kid-friendly displays cover everything from astronomy to the status of current space missions. It's 1.5 miles north of the city centre. Take bus 54 or 54A (£1.60, 15 minutes, every 10 minutes Monday to Saturday, every 20 minutes Sunday) from Haymarket bus station.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby The Midlands & the Marches attractions

1. St Nicholas Church

1.35 MILES

Dating from c 900, St Nicholas is Leicester's oldest place of worship, and incorporates tiles and masonry from Leicester's Roman baths. Hours can vary.

2. Leicester Cathedral

1.35 MILES

Pride of place at this substantial medieval cathedral goes to the contemporary limestone tomb atop the vault where the remains of King Richard III were…

3. Guildhall

1.37 MILES

Leicester's perfectly preserved 14th-century guildhall, one of England's finest, is reputed to be the city's most haunted building.

5. Jewry Wall Museum

1.38 MILES

This museum exploring the history of Leicester from Roman times to the modern day was undergoing renovations at the time of writing, and is expected to…

6. St Mary de Castro

1.54 MILES

Geoffrey Chaucer married Philippa de Roet in 1366 at this Norman church in the former bailey of Leicester Castle.

7. Great Hall

1.54 MILES

Clad in Georgian brickwork, the 12th-century Great Hall stands behind a 15th-century gate near the church of St Mary de Castro. Once used as a crown court…

8. Leicester Castle

1.54 MILES

Scattered around the Newarke Houses Museum are the ruins of Leicester's medieval castle, where Richard III spent his final days before the Battle of…

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