Leicester

I lived for 18 years there so I think it is worth a day ...

More seriously what are your interests? Since you mention Richard III I guess it is history. Leicester has the largest standing piece of non military Roman wall in Britain (Jewry Wall ). There is St Mary de Castro church where Geoffrey Chaucer is thought to have been married and Henry VI was knighted. The castle itself has what is considered to be "the oldest surviving aisled and bay-divided hall in Europe", although at present this is rarely open to the public. There is the Guildhall as another 13th century survivor. Regarding Richard III as well as his new tomb, you can see in the visitor centre the site of his previous resting place, and there are walking tours around the major sites associated with him.

There are many other aspects of the city that you might be interested in but I think there is a full day there already. Don't be put off by the 1960s highway that separated many of the historic parts from the current centre. Leicester is not the easiest place with a car even for locals and you would probably find it a benefit to use the park and ride near the M1 and come into the centre by bus.

Wow! Thank you, Marco. This is very helpful information. You are right, the major interest is history. I am actually thinking of arriving there in the afternoon, doing a few things there and then spending the night so we have all the next day. It definitely sounds like there will be plenty to see and sounds as if we should stay outside the city center, leave our car there and bus in for the day. Thank you so much.

There are two hotels just off the M1 - Marriott & Hilton. This area is not very memorable being a mixture of offices and out of town shopping, restaurants, cinema etc, but the main shopping centre Fosse Park has a number of bus routes converging on it. If alternatively you drive a mile or so towards the centre on the main road A5460 there is a Premier Inn. There is a regular bus into the centre from here but not much in the immediate vicinity being residential. No doubt there may be more non-chain accommodation around too.

Going into the centre from these parts will eventually mean crossing the River Soar on the Bow Bridge on the route of Richard III, although the current bridge is Victorian, and you can get off near the Jewry Wall.

Marco has understated the driving issues in Leicester.

I've been going there on and off for several years and have yet not to be lost, and then spend an age getting parked.

All the different ways into town seems to always back up, too.

Once there, there is plenty to see.

Thanks to Marco and Nigel. This will definitely help us to make a better decision. Think we will stay outside of town and take a bus in.