Leicestershire

The Midlands Plain is often referred to as 'The Cockpit of England' for here, in 1485, a battle took place that was to change the course of England's history. The Battle of Bosworth Field was the final act in the drama of the bitterly fought Wars of the Roses, between the houses of York and Lancaster, and it ended with Henry VII firmly established on the throne of England, and Richard III dead on the battlefield.

This was not the first time that the county of Leicestershire had been associated with great change. Simon de Montfort, the first Earl of Leicester, led a rebellion against Henry III and defeated him at Lewes in 1264. He then established the first Parliament in the following year and thus laid the foundation that was to make England a country governed by its people. Parliament was to be challenged many times in the following centuries, and was to finally triumph, but if it had not been for the wisdom and farsightedness of that first Earl of Leicester things might have been very different.

Leicestershire is still an agricultural county to quite a considerable extent. That it has been so for many years maybe judged by the antiquity of the cattle markets held in the county, and by the growth of the leather trade, particularly shoemaking, with which Leicester is still closely connected. The county town of Leicester boasts a modern university and a history that can be traced back to a Roman settlement. Many fine old buildings, particularly the fifteenth century Guildhall and the much later Gothic clock tower in the centre of the city, add greatly to its interest and attraction.

Leicestershire Hotels

Express by Holiday Inn - 4 Filbert Way, Leicester, LE2 7FQ
Holiday Inn Leicester City - 129 St. Nicholas Circle, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE1 5LX Tel: 0870 4009048
Ramada Leicester - Granby Street, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE1 6ES Tel: 0116 255 5599
Premier Travel Inn Leicester South West - Braunstone Lane East, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE3 2FW Tel: 0870 8506332
Westfield House Hotel - Enderby Road, Blaby, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE8 4GD Tel: 0870 609 6106
Leicester Marriott Hotel - Smith Way, Grove Park, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE19 1SW Tel: 0870 6001348
Travelodge Leicester - Markfield - A50/M1 Interchange, Littleshaw Lane, Markfield, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE67 9PP Tel: 0870 191 1583
Three Swans Hotel - 21 High Street, Market Harborough, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE16 7NJ Tel: 01858 466644
Stapleford Park - Stapleford, Near Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, LE14 2EF Tel: 01572 787522
The Old Wisteria Hotel - 4 Catmose Street, Oakham, Leicestershire, LE15 6HW Tel: 01572 722844
Fieldhead Hotel - Markfield Lane, Markfield, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE67 9PS Tel: 01530 245454
Paramount Hinckley Island Hotel - Watling Street, Hinckley, Leicestershire, LE10 3JA Tel: 01455 631 122