Leicester

Leicester has the reputation as one of the best shopping destinations in the UK. The central shopping region boasts several different shopping areas, as well as Europe's largest covered market and many streets providing a wealth of different local and national stores.

The Victorian city centre boasts a Clock Tower, which is at the intersection of five routes into the city - High Street, Churchgate, Belgrave Gate, Humberstone Gate, and Gallowtree Gate. Humberstone Gate and Gallowtree Gate streets are for pedestrians only, and vehicles are restricted on the others making this town a fun place to walk and shop. In the near future, the city is looking to build a major theare for performing acts.

Nearby is St. Martin's Square. It has a character all its own, and is set within a historic area. It is surrounded by lanes full of individual boutiques and craft shops.

Also nearby is Leicester Market, the largest covered market in Europe. This market has been on the same site for 700 years and sells a variety of goods. It's a great place to get a good deal, and bartering is expected.

The Shires, also near Leicester City Centre, is a new shopping development which opened in 1991. It has good mix of name brand stores and small botiques. It is also easy to reach by car, as there is plentiful parking.

Another shopping centre to consider is the Haymarket Centre is located at the heart of Leicester's central shopping area between Humberstone Gate, Charles Street and Belgrave Gate.

You'll also want to shop on Leicester's "Golden Mile", the area around Belgrave Road, which houses a large Indian population. There, you'll find many restaurants, jewellery shops and other Indian goods. Many people travel to the Golden Mile for some of the best curry and Indian cuisine in the UK. This area also hosts the largest Diwali celebration -- the Festival of Lights -- outside of India. You'll also want to stop by the only Jain Temple in the Western Hemisphere to view the fine carved columns and statues.

If the you and the kids are tired of shopping, try visiting the award winning National Space Centre, the UK's largest attraction dedicated to space. On your visit, you can take in five differently themed galleries, and take part in hundreds of interactive hands-on activities. The gallery themes cover many topics such as "Exploring the universe: when and how did the universe begin and how might it end?" and "Orbiting Earth: take a look at how we use space in a multitude of ways to enhance life here on Earth." It's not cheap, as tickets for adults are £11.00 for adults and £9.00 for kids under 16, but it is definitely a worthwhile spend. The National Space Centre is open from 10AM to 5PM Tuesday through Sunday.

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See a Map of Leicester