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The first tram route in Leicester was in 1874 from the Clock Tower to Belgrave. Read more
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Leicester’s once proud tramway system
The first tram route in Leicester was in 1874 from the Clock Tower to Belgrave.
Leicester's secret railway tunnel beneath Glenfield
Designed by railway engineer George Stephenson Glenfield Tunnel is just over a mile long.
The bed in which Richard III spent his final night
The bed in which Richard III slept the night before the Battle of Bosworth exists today.
Grace Dieu Priory’s link with William Wordsworth
Grace Dieu Priory was used as a private house after the dissolution of the monasteries.
The Leper Hospital founded in Burton Lazars
St Mary and St Lazarus Hospital was one of the most important leper hospitals in England.
The secret RAF base which foiled the Nazis
The ‘Beambender’ was a vital WW2 RAF unit designed to foil Nazi bombing raids.
‘Tanky’ Smith: Leicester’s first private detective
Francis ‘Tanky’ Smith was in Borough Police Force before becoming a private detective.
50 years of hot water bottles from Loughborough
Some first designs for hot water bottle covers originated from a family in Loughborough.
The archive ‘treasure trove’ of a comedy legend
Tony Hancock’s famous hat and coat is held in the archive at De Montfort University.
Why does Leicester have a Statue of Liberty?
Leicester’s copy of the Statue of Liberty was made by local sculptor Joseph Morcom.
The ancient oak that gave ‘Gartree’ its name
The Gartree was an ancient oak where jurors handed out justice and istered taxes.
‘A medieval mayor and a Leicester murder scandal’
Brothers Walter and John Bushby sought sanctuary in two of Leicester’s medieval churches.
A unique collection of a British comedy genius
Leicester is the home to a unique collection from Sir Norman Wisdom’s 60-year career.
The secret tunnel under Leicester Royal Infirmary
Leicester Royal Infirmary was founded as the Leicester Infirmary with 40 beds in 1771.
Leicester's connection to a modern nursing pioneer
Nightingale wards were named after Florence Nightingale, a pioneer of modern nursing.
What's it like inside Old John?
Old John began life as a ruined folly during the time of the 5th Earl of Stamford.
The 1645 Siege of Leicester
The 1645 Siege of Leicester was a grim chapter in the history of the city.
The ‘lost’ pleasure gardens of Stonton Wyville
Stonton Wyville has the remnants of a banqueting house with its own pleasure gardens.
