Leicester Cathedral
ENTRY
Free
SETTING
Indoors
WHERE
Leicester
What it’s like
A free-to-enter cathedral with a Richard III history gallery, guided tours and quiet corners worth a wander with kids.
This is a proper history stop rather than a play-and-run venue. The Gallery covers the cathedral's past, the Richard III story and the archaeological digs that found him, which gives older kids something concrete to latch onto rather than just looking at old stone. There are also guided Cathedral Highlights and Hidden Corners tours if you want someone else doing the talking, and family worship services if that's your thing.
Entry is free, with a suggested £5 donation per adult, which feels fair for a building this size and this much upkeep. Some events and activities on top of the basic visit do carry their own charge, so it's not automatically free if you want the extras. Opening hours are Monday to Saturday 10.30am to 4.30pm, Sunday just 12pm to 3pm, and special services can shut off parts of the building without much notice.
The floor is level throughout and the main entrance is wheelchair-accessible, so a buggy shouldn't be a problem either. There are baby changing facilities and accessible toilets in the Heritage and Learning Centre. Parking is the one bit that needs a plan: it's long-stay car parks at Highcross or Newarke Street, and Blue Badge spaces at Applegate are genuinely limited, just 150 metres away though. If you're coming by train it's a 10 to 15 minute walk from Leicester station.
Given the quiet, respectful atmosphere, this suits kids who can handle a slower pace and a bit of reading rather than toddlers wanting to run about. An hour is probably enough for most families, longer if you take one of the guided tours.
What’s on here
- WED7
A Service of Lament for Homelessness
17:30 - 18:30 · Free
- THU8
Faith, History and Healing with Anthony Reddie
19:00 - 22:00 · Free
- SAT10
Motown by Candlelight
18:30 · from £10
- MON12
Lunchtime Recital: Trumpet, Flugelhorn and Piano
12:30
- SUN8
Service of Remembrance
15:30 - 16:30
Ordination of Priests
Ordination service at Leicester Cathedral welcoming the Diocese's new Priests and Deacons.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- School-age kids who'll get something from the history and the Richard III story
- Parking
- Nearby long-stay at Highcross Shopping Centre (LE1 4QJ) and Newarke Street (LE1 5SN)
- Wheelchairs
- Wheelchair-accessible main entrance with level floor throughout
- Getting there by bus or train
- 10-15 minute walk from Leicester city rail station
- Suggested donation is £5 per adult, not compulsory
- Blue Badge parking at Applegate is very close but spaces go fast
- Special services can close off parts of the building at short notice
- Baby changing and accessible toilets are in the Heritage and Learning Centre
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
Entry is free, with a suggested donation of £5 per adult. Some events and activities have a separate charge on top.
What are the opening hours?
Monday to Saturday 10.30am to 4.30pm, Sunday 12pm to 3pm. Special services can affect access to parts of the building, so it's worth a quick look at their closures page before you set off.
Is it accessible with a buggy or wheelchair?
The main entrance has a level floor throughout and there are accessible toilets in the Heritage and Learning Centre.
Where do we park?
Long-stay parking is at Highcross Shopping Centre or Newarke Street. Blue Badge holders can use Applegate, 150 metres away, but spaces there are very limited.
Can we get there by train?
Yes, it's a 10 to 15 minute walk from Leicester city rail station.
What is there for kids to actually do?
The Gallery tells the story of the cathedral, Richard III and the archaeological finds, and there are guided tours including Cathedral Highlights and Hidden Corners for those who want more detail.
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