High Street, Leicester
High Street is a main pedestrian street in the center of Leicester. It is lined with numerous shops and boutiques selling high-end jewelry, clothing, stationery and even groceries. There are also varied restaurants and cafes to be found here, whose patrons can enjoy anything from beer on tap to a kebab to Kentucky Fried Chicken.
Though mostly known for shopping, High Street also has some entertainment venues and interesting architecture. The grand mansion known as Lord鈥檚 Place (43-51 High Street), nowadays a residential and office space with boutique shopping on the street level, was once home of Henry, Earl of Huntingdon, from 1569. It is also said that Mary, Queen of Scots, stayed there in 1586, followed by King James I in 1612 and Charles I in 1642. A plaque on No. 45 High Street records the site鈥檚 history.
High Street follows a route that existed in Roman times, connecting East Gate to the Forum and Basilica (now Jubilee Square). In medieval times it was known as Forum Porcorum (鈥榩ig market鈥�) or Swinesmarket, but was renamed High Street in 1524 to reflect its increased importance.
In 1899 the construction of the Great Central Railway further increased the importance of High Street, which linked the commercial heart of Leicester with the new station. The street had to be widened to accommodate Leicester鈥檚 new electric tram system and many of its buildings were demolished and replaced. Replacement buildings that have survived include No. 7, a classical style bank (1904), No. 40, Leicester鈥檚 first cinema, the Electric Theatre (1910), Nos. 58-60, Butler鈥檚 Chemist鈥檚 Shop and Nos. 76-88, the Coronation Buildings (1904).
Though mostly known for shopping, High Street also has some entertainment venues and interesting architecture. The grand mansion known as Lord鈥檚 Place (43-51 High Street), nowadays a residential and office space with boutique shopping on the street level, was once home of Henry, Earl of Huntingdon, from 1569. It is also said that Mary, Queen of Scots, stayed there in 1586, followed by King James I in 1612 and Charles I in 1642. A plaque on No. 45 High Street records the site鈥檚 history.
High Street follows a route that existed in Roman times, connecting East Gate to the Forum and Basilica (now Jubilee Square). In medieval times it was known as Forum Porcorum (鈥榩ig market鈥�) or Swinesmarket, but was renamed High Street in 1524 to reflect its increased importance.
In 1899 the construction of the Great Central Railway further increased the importance of High Street, which linked the commercial heart of Leicester with the new station. The street had to be widened to accommodate Leicester鈥檚 new electric tram system and many of its buildings were demolished and replaced. Replacement buildings that have survived include No. 7, a classical style bank (1904), No. 40, Leicester鈥檚 first cinema, the Electric Theatre (1910), Nos. 58-60, Butler鈥檚 Chemist鈥檚 Shop and Nos. 76-88, the Coronation Buildings (1904).
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High Street on Map
Sight Name: High Street
Sight Location: Leicester, England (See walking tours in Leicester)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Leicester, England (See walking tours in Leicester)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
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.
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
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