Gallowtree Gate, Leicester
Leicester boasts plenty of intriguing street names, each with its own story. One such is Gallowtree Gate, a busy pedestrian street in the heart of the city, running between Horsefair Street and the Clock Tower at Church Gate and Haymarket.
The streets in this area are commonly referred to as gates, which is due to the fortress-like gates that once offered entrance into the city through the Roman walls. The four gates were originally named after the cardinal directions but were later renamed to reflect their usage. The word "gate", from the Norse "gata", describes passages that were in use starting from the year 868 when Danish Vikings captured the Midlands, then known as the Mercia region of Britain.
Nowadays lined with shops, cafes and numerous businesses, the history of Gallowtree Gate is very different from the street's modern image. The origins of the name stem from its use as a path to the gallows where public executions were held. Condemned prisoners would have walked along Gallowtree Gate to the gallows in London Road, where today the Victoria Park gates are. There, they were hanged by the neck until death in front of a crowd of onlookers. Gruesome!!!
The streets in this area are commonly referred to as gates, which is due to the fortress-like gates that once offered entrance into the city through the Roman walls. The four gates were originally named after the cardinal directions but were later renamed to reflect their usage. The word "gate", from the Norse "gata", describes passages that were in use starting from the year 868 when Danish Vikings captured the Midlands, then known as the Mercia region of Britain.
Nowadays lined with shops, cafes and numerous businesses, the history of Gallowtree Gate is very different from the street's modern image. The origins of the name stem from its use as a path to the gallows where public executions were held. Condemned prisoners would have walked along Gallowtree Gate to the gallows in London Road, where today the Victoria Park gates are. There, they were hanged by the neck until death in front of a crowd of onlookers. Gruesome!!!
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Gallowtree Gate on Map
Sight Name: Gallowtree Gate
Sight Location: Leicester, England (See walking tours in Leicester)
Sight Type: Shopping
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Leicester, England (See walking tours in Leicester)
Sight Type: Shopping
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Leicester, England
Create Your Own Walk in Leicester
Creating your own self-guided walk in Leicester is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Leicester Introduction Walking Tour
Leicester is one of the oldest cities in England, whose history goes back almost two millennia. The Romans arrived in the area around 47 AD, during their conquest of southern Britain. Following the Saxon invasion, Leicester was then captured by Danish Vikings, in the 9th century.
The settlement was first documented in the early 10th century, under the name Ligeraceaster. At the time of the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
The settlement was first documented in the early 10th century, under the name Ligeraceaster. At the time of the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
Historical Buildings
Leicester, a city in England's East Midlands, has a storied past that is vividly presented in its historical buildings. Valuable architectural monuments, they are the city's pride and as such enjoy special protection by the government.
Among such, Magazine Gateway stands as a testament to the city's medieval legacy. Originally part of its defensive walls, this structure now... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Among such, Magazine Gateway stands as a testament to the city's medieval legacy. Originally part of its defensive walls, this structure now... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles