Trains to Leicester

Travel to Leicester – A city rich in culture and diversity

Getting the train to Leicester is easy and convenient with connections to London, Nottingham, Sheffield and other major cities across the UK. Leicester is a beautiful city full of history, culture and attractions. Travelling by train is the best way to visit Leicester. It is easy to see all Leicester has to offer directly from the train, avoiding city centre traffic and parking woes.

From the medieval charm of the Old Town to the cosmopolitan buzz of the city centre, Leicester has something for everyone. Explore the historical gems, heritage and culture by day and the buzzing nightlife by night.

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Leicester attractions

Attractions

Leicester has many attractions to explore. Uncover history at King Richard III Visitor Centre , where you can unravel medieval murder plots and follow the journey of the extraordinary evidence gathering that led to the discover of his long-lost grave.

Prepare for lift off at the National Space Centre and see where Leicester gets its ‘Space City’ nickname. Take in a show at the UK’s largest planetarium, explore six interactive galleries full of rockets, satellites and meteorites and ascend the iconic 42m high Rocket Tower, all making for an unforgettable experience.

Mix science, history and art at the Leicester Museum & Art Gallery , with galleries including Ancient Egypt, Dinosaurs, Wild Space, the Victorian art gallery and many more. It’s located within a 5-minute walk of Leicester Train Station and has free general entry to the museum, making it a great day out for the whole family.

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Food and drink

You’ll be spoilt for choice on places to eat in Leicester. Did you know that Leicester is home to over 60 vegetarian eateries? Located in the city centre, you’ll find The World Peace Café offering vegan and vegetarian options in a peaceful setting to relax and unwind.

Kayal is an award-winning restaurant specialising in South Indian cuisine and is a 2-minute walk from Leicester Train Station. Within a 10-minute walk, you’ll find Knight & Garter , an award-winning pub serving stunning lunch, dinner and weekend brunches and a superb roast on a Sunday. Another great option is The Light House Leicester , where they serve fabulous seafood options, with an ever-changing menu featuring the catch of the day and the best of seasonal sustainable fishing from around Britain.

The Curve Theatre

Image © Visit Leicester

Music and nightlife

Attracting some of the biggest names for the last 100 years is De Montfort Hall , who host a range of live music events from pop, musicals, opera and stand-up comedy. The Curve Theatre is home to both original and touring productions and hosts a diverse range of exciting shows.

Leicester boasts a great nightlife and a range of bars for any occasion, including the quirky Après Lounge which gives you an Alpine feeling of being in the mountains, or enjoy the array of independent cocktail bars in the city.

Places to stay

Whether you’re after travel on a budget or want to treat yourself, Leicester offers a range of hotels for everyone. In the heart of the city centre and a few minutes' walk from Leicester Train Station you’ll find The Belmont Hotel , a boutique hotel in an elegant Victorian townhouse with 74 luxurious rooms.

If you’re after somewhere to stay on a budget the Premier Inn in Leicester City Centre is a 2-minute walk from Leicester Train Station, or the Ibis hotel is just 7 minutes away.

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Bradgate Park

Sports and outdoor

Situated within a 15-minute walk from Leicester Train Station is the Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium, where Leicester Tigers plays in Premiership Rugby, England’s top division of rugby.

Visit the King Power Stadium, home to Leicester City , one of the oldest clubs in English football.

If you’re into basketball, you can watch Leicester Riders at The Morningside Arena, which is a 20-minute walk from Leicester Train Station.

If you’re looking to enjoy some of the green spaces in the city centre, you’ll find Victoria Park within a 15 minute stroll from the station. There’s also Abbey Park and Bradgate Park just outside the city centre.

High Cross

Shopping

From high street brands to independent boutiques, and a 700-year-old market, Leicester ticks all the boxes for shopping destinations.

Located in the city centre is High Cross , home to over 80 of the biggest high street retailers including the likes of John Lewis, Zara and Apple. In contrast to the high street favourites found in Leicester’s sprawling High Cross shopping centre, St. Martin’s Square is the independent heart of the city, full of boutiques and niche independent stores.

Leicester Market has existed on the same city-centre site, for around 700 years. Its 270+ stalls offer an abundance of local produce, including hunks of Red Leicester and plenty of Melton Mowbray pork pies.

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Map of Leicester

Stations

Leicester (LEI)

Address:
Leicester station
London Road
Leicester
Leicestershire
LE2 0QB
Visit station page

How to find cheap tickets to Leicester?

Are you planning your travel in advance? You can buy Advance fares  up to 12 weeks before you travel to save more on your train tickets. Travelling as a group of three or more? There are group discounts  available too.

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Which services run directly to Leicester?

Our intercity services from London to Sheffield and Nottingham stop at Leicester – with a journey time of just over an hour from London. And it's the starting point for regional services across our network.

There are up to five trains an hour running to Leicester from London, Nottingham and Sheffield, and regular direct services from Derby, Lincoln and beyond.

Check our timetables for trains to and from Leicester

What facilities are at Leicester train station?

Leicester train station has everything needed for a simple, stress-free journey.

  • Fully accessible – wheelchair access, assistance to and from platforms, and hearing loops available
  • Food and drink – there are plenty of places to refuel, with coffee shops, bars and shops in the station
  • Parking – the station car park, located on nearby Fox Street, has over 500 spaces
  • WiFi access – there's free WiFi across the station
  • Local connections – to Syston, Sileby and Melton Mowbray. Also a connecting station for services to Cambridge or Ely

Check the full range of facilities at Leicester train station