Leicester Cathedral
Cathedral Leicester is the cathedral of the city of Leicester and the seat of the Diocese of Leicester. It is the fourth smallest Anglican cathedral in England.
All our flats in Leicester
Known by the locals as the beating heart of the city centre, Leicester Cathedral is located in the old town, right in the centre of the city a short walk from your aparthotel. The church was first built over 900 years ago by the Normans and was originally called St Martins church. Later it became the Civic Church and had strong ties to the local merchant’s guilds. Over the years this beautiful building has been restored and added to at various periods to create the well-loved monument of today. The 220ft spire was added in Victorian times by Architect Raphael Brandon.
Enjoy a couple of tranquil hours within the Cathedral’s cool interior where you can visit the tomb of King Richard III. His remains were discovered nearby and interred within the cathedral in 2015. He was the last British monarch to die in battle and his life is commemorated by a decorative cloth also on display within the church. Turning to more modern history, the striking stained-glass East Window was designed to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in World War I. It features Jesus between heaven and hell along with Joan of Arc, the Archangel St Michael, St Martin of Tours (who gave the church its first name) and Mary Magdalene. Leicester Cathedral is set among well-manicured gardens, with flower beds, water features and spaces to sit and relax.
The perfect place to take a break in the city centre and enjoy a moment of calm before heading out to explore further. Take in the two impressive sculptures too, both dedicated to Richard III and commissioned for his interment within the cathedral walls. The church is open to the public outside of service times and tours run daily. You can pre-book your tour in advance, highly recommended if you have a larger family or group.
