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Table of Contents
Leicester, city and unitary authority, geographic and historic county of Leicestershire, England, lies on the River Soar and the Grand Union Canal.
See the fact file below for more information on Leicester, or you can download our 31-page Leicester worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
- One of the oldest towns in England is called Leicester. Leicester was a significant tribal center before the Romans arrived in Britain, with opulent structures on the east bank of the River Soar.
- The Romans conquered the native population and built a stronghold beside the river.
- The city’s name has been derived from the Latinized form of the ancient name for the River Soar, Legro, and the Roman word “castra,” which means “camp.”
- The Jewry Wall, one of the best-preserved remains of Romano-British brickwork in the country, is the most impressive remaining aspect of Roman Leicester.
- The term derives from the word “jurat,” a variant of “jury,” and has nothing to do with Jews.
- The Jewry Wall, a remnant of a Roman bath house and palaestra (exercise hall), serves as a reminder of this early period in the city’s growth.
- Leicester fell after the Romans left in the early 5th century, but new Saxon settlers arrived in the 5th and 6th centuries. Leicester was one of five boroughs founded in the Danelaw, under Viking domination in the north and east of Britain, in the 9th century.
- St. Nicholas Church was constructed in the 9th century from materials recovered from the Roman forum. Leicester was an important trading center during the late Saxon period and was large enough to support six churches.
- After the Norman Conquest of 1066, William the Conqueror ordered a castle built to make sure the city’s obedience to Norman rule.
- By the fourteenth century, Leicester had more than 4,000 inhabitants and built the Leicester Abbey and friary.
- The intriguing historic remains of Leicester Abbey are just a short stroll from the bustling city center of contemporary Leicester.
- Several important medieval buildings remain, including the timber-framed Guildhall, the Newarke Gateway (c. 1400), and Wygston House, built around 1490.
- The Guildhall served as a location for public gatherings, a gaol, and civic administration throughout the following 600 years.
- Wygston House, a merchant’s home constructed of timber and claimed to be Leicester’s oldest home, is located on Applegate. It is a stunning illustration of a home owned by a wool merchant in the middle ages.
THE KING OF LEICESTER
- Richard III, also called Richard Plantagenet, was the Duke of Gloucester. He was born on October 2, 1452, at Fotheringhay Castle, Northamptonshire, England. He Died on August 22, 1485, Bosworth, Leicestershire.
- During Edward’s reign, he was in charge of northern England and participated in the invasion of Scotland in 1482. Richard III became the King of Leicester on July 6, 1483, at 30 years old.
- In 1485, Richard III stayed at Leicester on his way to do battle with Henry Tudor at Bosworth.
- The well-publicized discovery of Richard III’s remains beneath a city parking lot next to the ancient cathedral propelled Leicester to international prominence in recent years.
- The remains of Richard III were discovered in the former Greyfriars Priory in Leicester, England, in September 2012.
- Richard III was buried on March 26, 2015, with full honors in Leicester Cathedral, a stone’s throw from where his body was found.
- There are other well-known people whose death is connected to Leicester besides Richard III. In 1530 Cardinal Wolsey died at Leicester on his way to trial for treason by Henry VIII.
ECONOMY
- Leicester has the largest economy in the East Midlands, with a Gross Value Added (GVA) of £23 billion.
- By 2030, the city wants to contribute to an increase of that £30 billion. Within a 45-minute drive of Leicester and Leicestershire, employers have access to more than one million workers.
- The city’s economy is primarily composed of Small and Mid-size Enterprise (SMEs), of which there are presently over 42,000.
- In Leicester and Leicestershire, more than 98% of companies have fewer than 50 employees.
- Household names including Walkers, Triumph, Everards, Dunelm, IBM, and Santander are also based in the area.
GOVERNANCE
- The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy/ Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers (CIPFA/SOLACE) guidelines for excellent corporate governance are committed to by Leicester City Council.
- On 1 April 1997, Leicester City Council became a unitary authority. Its adoption of a local code of corporate governance and the release of an annual governance statement serve as evidence of its commitment.
GEOGRAPHY
- The city of Leicester, the county town of Leicestershire, is located in central England and the East Midlands region.
- Leicester is located at the intersection of two important rail routes: the east-west Birmingham to London Stansted CrossCountry line and the north-south Midland Main Line.
- Leicester is surrounded by several cities: North West Leicestershire, Charnwood, Melton, Oadby & Wigston, Harborough, Blaby, and Hinckley & Bosworth.
- The latitude of Leicester, the East Midlands, the UK is 52.633331, and the longitude is -1.133333. Leicester, the East Midlands, the UK is located at United Kingdom country in the Cities place category with the gps coordinates of 52° 37′ 59.9916” N and 1° 7′ 59.9988” W.
POPULATION
- The current metro area population of Leicester in 2022 is 562,000, a 0.9% increase from 557,000 (2021).
- In the previous years, the population was 552,000 (2020), 547,000 (2019), and 543,000 (2018).
- 50.6% of the population was White. 37.1% Asian. 3.5% of mixed race 6.3% Black , 1.0% Arab and 1.6% of other ethnic heritage.
TOURIST SPOTS
- Cultural Quarter
- A place that has a rich history of pre-Victorian and Victorian factories and warehouses that have been converted into cultural centers. Around Rutland Street and Halford Street, many prestigious eateries, bars, and cafés can be found.
- Leicester Cathedral
- This stands out among the city’s Georgian and medieval structures. In the Cathedral Gardens, there is a bronze statue of King Richard III and an artwork that depicts his life.
- Victoria Park
- Along with sports facilities, a skate park, and an adventure playground, Victoria Park has 69 acres of open space for visitors to explore. Located in the south east, outside the city centre. Most significant outdoor occasions, such as Summer Sundae, Leicester Caribbean Carnival, and Pride were held there..
- Attenborough Arts Centre
- Hosts a varied revolving schedule of fun contemporary art exhibits, live music, dance performances.
5. The Golden Mile
- The Golden Mile is a name given to a stretch of the Belgrave Road in Leicester, United Kingdom. It is famed for its South Indian stores, eateries, and community activities. When festive lights are placed along the street for Diwali and Christmas, this location is at its best.
6. Leicester Museum and Art Gallery
- Located on New Walk in Leicester, England, not far from the city centre. This is known for its dinosaur exhibits, collection of artifacts from Ancient Egypt, and Victorian art galleries. It is one of the UK’s oldest public museums, opening its doors in 1840.
7. National Space Centre
- It is located on the north side of the city next to the River Soar where interactive exhibitions bring space exploration history to life. Spacesuits, satellites, meteorites, and other items that have traveled into space and back are all part of its extensive collection. It has a planetarium, one of the biggest in the UK, where crowded theaters feature award-winning performances.
CULTURE
- Leicester’s history has a significant impact on its culture.
- Leicester is known for its diversity and rich cultural heritage.
- The city hosts one of the largest Diwali festivities outside of India, which is centered on the Golden Mile, which got its name from the abundance of traditional Indian jewelry stores, boutiques, and eateries. It is a hospitable city that has a strong tradition of embracing various ethnic cultures and religious affiliations.
SPORTS
Leicester Foxes (Football)
- The club was founded in 1884 as Leicester Fosse.
- The first-ever league game ended in a 4-3 loss against Grimsby, but a week later at Filbert Street, the team defeated Rotherham to earn its first league victory. That season also saw the club’s biggest victory to date, a 13-0 victory over Notts Olympic in an FA Cup qualifying game.
- The club submitted a successful reapplication for membership in the Football League in 1904.
- They are one of a select few teams who have won the league championship for each of the top three divisions (now known as the Premier League, Championship, and League One), and they have even been to the Champions League quarter-finals.
Leicester Tigers (Rugby)
- The Leicester Tigers, founded on August 3, 1880, a Rugby Union team based on Welford Road, are regarded as one of the best in Europe.
- The team has won more championships than any other club, along with the coveted European Cup thrice and the Anglo-Welsh Cup eight times.
- Three Tigers, including captain Martin Johnson, were members of the England team that won the Rugby World Cup in 2003, adding to their reputation as a producer of top-tier athletes.
Leicester Riders (Basketball)
- Founded in 1967 and then known as the Loughborough All Stars, the Riders are the oldest club in British basketball.
- Based close to Great Central Square, the Riders are the current defending champions of the British Basketball League (BBL).
- The club has developed into one of the most dominating teams in BBL history after returning to the area in 2016, winning the league and cup in both 2017 and 2018 before their most recent victory gave them three consecutive BBL titles.
Leicester, England Worksheets
This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about Leicester, England across 27 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use worksheets that are perfect for teaching kids about Leicester, a county town in Leicestershire located in East Midlands, England.
Complete List of Included Worksheets
Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.
- Leicester, England Facts
- Organizing a Trip
- My Journey
- Map Graph
- Fox, Tiger, & Rider
- Acrostic Poem
- Why Go?
- Name the Map
- Reminisce and Illustrate
- News Update!
- Let’s Get Started!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Leicester well known for?
Leicester is a vibrant city teeming with culture and world-renowned universities. Immerse yourself in the arts by taking a stroll through the Cultural Quarter, where you’ll find an abundance of galleries, museums, theaters, and events.
What is Leicester’s famous food?
Curry lovers will be in heaven in this city, which was once the UK Curry Capital. You’ll be spoilt for choice with all the different restaurants serving dishes from across the Indian subcontinent. And cheese lovers will also be delighted – this city and county are experts when it comes to cheese!
Is Leicester expensive to live in?
Leicester is one of the UK’s most cost-effective cities for students. It’s also among the top five most inexpensive places in the United Kingdom, according to Numbeo. In Leicester, a single individual spends around £600 per month on accommodation and education.
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Use With Any Curriculum
These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.