The Best Days Out in Leicester for Students

At first glance, Leicester can appear to be a calm and compact place to study. However, dig below the surface and you’ll soon discover a city that’s alive with student energy, great things to do, and plenty of character. Whether you’ve just moved into student accommodation in Leicester, or have called it home for for years, there’s always a new corner to explore.

This guide promises to be your ticket to some of the best days out in Leicester. We’ll unlock the good times, value picks, and local flavours that students in the city crave. Let’s get right into it.

Curve Theatre & Cultural Quarter

Step off the high street and you’ll stumble upon the cultural quarter. It offers a blend of street art magic, indie spaces, and the iconic spaceship like building known as the Curve Theatre.

Start your day with a coffee at St Martin’s Coffee Roasters that’s just around the corner. It’s relaxed, friendly, and smells fantastic as soon as you walk inside.

Then, catch a matinee or behind the scenes tour of the Curve. Whether it’s a curious reworking of a Shakespearean classic or something new from a local playwright, you’ll leave feeling inspired and hopefully like you’ve learnt a few things.

Extra Tip: Look out for plays with student priced tickets that are often sold at the last minute. If you’re living locally, you can snap up the best deals before anyone else.

Victoria Park & New Walk

Sometimes, all you need for a great day out is a bit of time in nature. Victoria Park is Leicester’s go to for clearing your head, catching up with pals, or joining a pick up on the football pitches. It’s also the home of an impressive War Memorial and regular local events such as food festivals and charity fun runs.

From here, simply wander down the elegant pedestrian promenade known as New Walk. It leads you past the city’s museums and galleries, and it’s ideal for mindful strolls or power walking your way to a lecture.

Helpful Hint: The Leicester Museum and Art Gallery is free to enter and packed with all sorts of curiosities such as dinosaurs and Picasso artwork.

Hidden Favourites in Leicester’s Lanes

The Lanes are Leicester’s answer to the backrooms. Tucked between Highcross and the Cathedral, these winding streets are full of great indie stores, vintage boutiques, and the cafes you’ll be making your regular haunts come third year.

Don’t Miss:

• Kai: Their all day brunch never disappoints after a heavy night out.
• Just So Italian: A deli stacked with authentic Italian treats and espresso that’ll keep you perky all morning.
• Outpost: A vinyl shop and lounge where you can discover your next musical love.

It’s the perfect part of the city to explore on a day with no plans. Just bring a friend or head out alone, seeing where the mood takes you.

Explore Leicester’s History

The history of Leicester is steeped battles and plagues, and there’s plenty of places to immerse yourself in the turbulent tales of the East Midlands.

Start with Leicester Cathedral and the final resting place of Richard III following the Battle of Bosworth. It’s intriguing, carefully designed, and can be fully enjoyed in less than an hour. Next door, the relatively new Richard III Visitor Centre adds detail to the story. From murders, myths, and the shock car park discovery that made global headlines.

For a little extra discovery, The Guildhall is one of the best preserved timber framed halls in the UK. It’s free to enter and gives the impression of stepping into a medieval drama production.

Quirky, Cheap, and Enjoyable

In and around the city centre, there’s a cool set of experiences you can enjoy here and nowhere else.

• The Retro Computer Museum: A bit outside the city centre, but worth the trip if pixel nostalgia is your thing.
• National Space Centre: A giant rocket inside a glass dome. Enough said. Student tickets are available, making it one of the most exciting days out in Leicester.
• Clarendon Park: Think of it as Leicester’s pocket chic. Great for artisan bakeries, indie bookshops, and second hand finds.

This part of the city especially suits students who travel in from further afield or who live locally. It’s walkable, varied, and full of discoveries to be made.

Bonus Tip: Commuting in? Pair your visit with a stint in a nearby study spot such as Northern Cobbler for a quiet afternoon of work.

Foodie Spots That Delight

Leicester’s food scene is arguably one of the most underrated in the country. The city has one of the best Middle Eastern cultures in the UK, and it’s food shows it. From cheap samosas to street food curry, it’s a combination of cultures and flavours that reflects Leicester’s population.

Head to Belgrave Road for the very best Indian treats and sweets, or swing by Market Street for noodle bars and bubble tea. If you’re an international student searching for a slice of home, you’re sure to find something you love here.

Of course, the city centre is also filled with the usual favourites, so you can enjoy a comfort meal whenever you like.

Plan Your Day, Your Way

However you choose to send your time in Leicester, the city has you covered. The best part is that much of it won’t cost you a thing!

If you’re hungry for more Leicester themed inspiration, check out Visit Leicester’s website for all the latest events and updates from across the city.

If you’re still thinking about whether to make it your new home, take the time to read our city information page before choosing where you want to stay.

See You Soon

We hope you enjoy exploring Leicester as much as we have, because this is a city made for student life. Whether you’re planning your next chilled weekend adventures, or simply want a quiet afternoon of study, Leicester has the place for you.

Keep exploring, and maybe you’ll find more than you bargained for. Let us know if you think there’s anywhere we missed, and in the meantime we’ll catch you down the Lanes.