The Newarke

Click to enlarge images below:

The Newarke

About

The Newarke

In the heart of Leicester’s oldest area, The Newarke’s story includes Romans, Saxons, Kings, playwrights, Cavaliers and Roundheads. It was where Geoffrey Chaucer was married, Henry VI was knighted, where the first English Parliament was held and where King Richard III’s body laid after his death at Bosworth Field.

Add The Newarke to your Itinerary

Visitor Details

Key Information

The Newarke, Leicester, LE2 7BY

Opening Times

Season (1 Jan 2024 - 31 Dec 2024)

TripAdvisor

Related

The Throne of King Richard III King Richard III Visitor Centre, Leicester City

The Guildhall exterior Leicester Guildhall, Leicester City

Holiday Inn exterior eveningHoliday Inn Leicester, Leicester City

Leicester CathedralLeicester Cathedral, Leicester City

New Walk Museum & Art GalleryLeicester Museums

Leicester - the City’s Story, Leicester City

wygstons house upstairsLeicester Old Town Restaurants, Leicester City

hotels in leicester Hotels in Leicester, Leicester City

man laughingLeicester Comedy Festival, Leicester City

art in leicester Art in Leicester, Leicester City

Map & Directions

Facilities

Other

  • Uncover the story - Take a walk around Leicester’s ancient quarter, The Newarke, where 2,000 years of drama has played out amongst its collection of historic sites. From a museum housing one of the world’s largest shirts to the path taken by a berobed King Richard III, the costumes of the players are as intriguing as the stories themselves. <hr> Created from two Tudor homes, Newarke Houses charts the social history of Leicester, and includes clothing that belonged to 53-stone Daniel Lambert, who put himself on display to Georgian audiences as ‘the greatest curiosity in the world’. <hr> Tales of the English Civil War take centre stage outside in the museum gardens and within the Magazine Gateway, a store for gunpowder and weapons. Discover walls bearing scars of the muskets used by Roundheads, battle-ready in their metal helmets and leather tunics, to fend off Cavalier troops resplendent in their plumed uniform headdresses. <hr> For a front-row view of what was once a Saxon town, climb the Castle Motte, probably built in 1068 on the orders of William the Conqueror. From this earth mound, look down to St Mary de Castro, the church where a doublet-clad Geoffrey Chaucer, author of The Canterbury Tales, married, and where child king Henry VI was knighted among much theatrical pomp and ceremony. <hr> At the same time, the English Parliament was held at Leicester Castle’s Great Hall, when instead of swords being worn, the players in this medieval drama were armed with bats. <hr> Discover the full story of The Newarke in De Montfort University’s Heritage Centre, where in the basement stand two arches once part of the Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was in this spot that King Richard III’s battle-torn body was put on public display as the final act in the story of his defeat in battle.

Establishment Features

  • Conference facilities

Payment Methods

  • All major credit/debit cards accepted

Venue Facilities

  • Shop

Accreditations & Awards

What's Nearby

  1. Newarke Houses

    Two of Leicester’s most interesting historic houses, now form the Newarke Houses social…

  2. De Montfort University

    De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) are immensely proud of their brilliant home city…

  3. Castle Gardens

    Castle Gardens is a peaceful green space beside the Grand Union Canal in Leicester.

  4. Leicester Riverside

    Just a short walk from Leicester’s vibrant city centre is the meandering River Soar. The…

  1. Sue Townsend Theatre

    The Sue Townsend theatre is an iconic city venue, opened in 1963.

  2. Jewry Wall Museum

    Jewry Wall Museum is currently closed for refurbishment. Check back here for details of…

  3. Leicester Cathedral

    Leicester Cathedral is currently undergoing renovation and will reopen to the public on…

  4. Firebug

    Opened in the summer of 2004, Firebug has fast become an essential part of Leicester’s…

  5. King Richard III Visitor Centre

    Uncover the Story of King Richard III at the King Richard III Visitor Centre in Leicester…

  6. Leicester Guildhall

    From Shakespeare to Civil War – 600 years of drama. The Grade I listed, timber-framed…

  7. Upstairs At The Western

    Upstairs At The Western is a pub theatre that produces and hosts comedy, poetry,…

  8. Distillers Kitchen

    The Distillers Kitchen, is a new Gin School and exclusive venue as part of the 45 Bar…

  9. St Martin's Square

    St Martin’s Square is in a delightful spot, tucked between Silver Street and St Martin’s.…

  10. The Big Difference Venue

    The Big Difference Venue is an independent music, comedy, arts venue and bar in the heart…

  11. Angle Axe Throwing

    Axe Throwing! Its where you throw axes!

  12. Green Dragon Square

    Whether you're attending an event, meeting up, or just finding a spot to enjoy your…

Previous Next

Search What's Nearby

Product Type
Proximity
Within miles

Flower Icon

Related Content

Explore further