My Leicester Favourites

After living in this city for just over a year, I think I have a pretty good scope of what goes on around me; and overall, where I’m going to have a good time. So, today I thought I’d tell you about some of my favourite places in and around the city, that are usually easy to get to and not too heavy on your purse.

• Highcross Shopping Centre:

An obvious choice to start, but a good one none the less. Although it’s a little crowded, Highcross is the best place to go for all your material needs, with shops surrounding it helping cater for anything Highcross is lacking. There’s a huge mixture of shops, including those more common and popular, like New Look and Topshop, all conveniently placed, within a few minutes walk of each other. There are always buses running to and from the city centre, but of course it’s also only a 30 minute walk from the University campus. No real bargains to be found here, however an afternoon window shopping with friends is never a bad idea.

• The Lanes:

A stone’s throw from Highcross is The Lanes; these are some smaller streets containing mostly independent businesses, and is very popular among vintage clothing fans. Generally a bit quieter than the main square, so it’s always nice to have a wander around, it also looks particularly beautiful around Christmas time, with the narrow streets and bright lights up above.  Again, similar to my other favourites, it’s easy to get to and not necessarily a money burner…but I can’t promise you’ll not buy any beautiful vintage pieces.

• Leicester Cinemas:

Yeah, yeah, yeah, the film student likes watching films, what a surprise. But, actually, with new movies being released daily it’s a really easy day-out to organize, whether with friends or alone. Out of the more commercial cinemas I’ve found Leicester Showcase to be the cheapest, although if you’re looking for a more unique experience, The Phoenix isn’t too far away. The Phoenix, an independent cinema, not only shows the latest blockbusters but also screens a wide variety of lesser-known and classic films, so it’s never difficult to find something you like. Even if film doesn’t float your boat The Phoenix also offers plenty of other activities, such as art exhibitions. (And by the way, it’s super affordable, even on the smallest of student budgets.)

• The Botanical Gardens:

A find discovered whilst living in Oadby, the botanical gardens are a piece of green escape, away from all the city buildings. Although it’s particularly accessible to students living in the student village, there’s buses running from the University to Oadby every ten minutes or so, and of course entry to the gardens is completely free. So, if you’re a bit of a country bumpkin like me, you’ll definitely enjoy this little bit of serenity.

That was just a few of my favourite things to do in Leicester, and let me know through the comments if you’d like some more specific information, such as specific shops and restaurants I like, or perhaps a guide to some of the more unusual, but less accessible, activities to do in and around Leicester.

Take Care Everyone, I’ll Speak to You All Soon!