Looking for the perfect way to spend a weekend in Leicester with the family? Then take a look at this itinerary.  

This one will tire you out, get your brain working and then blow your mind with the sheer variety on offer.  

Day 1  

Start your weekend out north of the city, as you step back in time to the days of the Railway Children, and when you step onto the platform of the Great Central Railway, you’ll feel like you’ve walked into the age of steam. This is where Thomas Cook took the passengers on his first ever package tour in the 1800s, and the trains here will steam through the Leicestershire countryside on their way to Loughborough and back again.  

Stop at one of the towns along the route to pick up a quick platform picnic, and then once back at Leicester North station head back to the city for the next part of your adventure. Right near Leicester’s main train station, East Street Lanes is full of activities for the whole family. Bowling, Arcades, axe throwing and a virtual escape room are just a few of the activities that you can take part in there, and there are loads of food options including burgers, pizzas and sharing plates. 

Or you could head to the Highcross and St Peter’s Square where there are loads of options, from pizza at Pizza Express or Pizza Punks to Japanese noodles or sushi at Wagamama or Yo! Sushi, or go American style at Frankie and Benny’s. 

The Holiday Inn is a great central location and as it was built back in the 60s its rooms are slightly larger than the norm, ideal if you’re bringing the whole family. Or there’s the slightly more salubrious Gresham Aparthotel, which is a real home from home with a two bed apartment with kitchenette and all the mod cons.  

Accommodation options are wide and varied, with boutique hotels like The Belmont on the Victorian New Walk, or St Martin’s Lodge in Old Town , which offers high quality rooms in a grade II listed building opposite the Cathedral. Or you can take advantage of modern hotels like the Novotel – destination of choice for visiting sports teams – or choose the more wallet-friendly option of the central Travelodge.  

Day 2 

Start early the next morning with breakfast, maybe a quick coffee at 200 Degrees on Market Street and then head to St Georges Retail Park on the ring road for a chance to try out TV’s Ninja Warrior for yourself. This is an official Ninja Warrior course and you can try out some of the famous obstacles from the show. There’s also a slightly more child friendly area for the under 7s.  

Once you’ve done, then you can get some food in the on-site café, or choose to save your hunger until your next destination, the Leicester Museum and Art Gallery, which has a range of sandwiches, cakes and more in their café. Then it’s time to explore the dinosaurs, artworks, earth gallery, Egyptian mummies and more at Leicester biggest and best museum. You’ll leave inspired and ready to learn more.  

For your final meal in our city, why not head to Leicester’s old town and get some sharing plates from the fantastic Argentinian restaurant Sonrisa. Or you might want to go a bit more meaty with Middleton’s Steakhouse and Grill which will be sure to satisfy everyone in your group.