If Leicestershire is the centre of rural England, what lies at the heart of Leicestershire? The answer is its pubs, inns, breweries, tea rooms and pie shops. These places give Leicester and Leicestershire their distinctive feel, providing the loom for their unique cloth. And there are so many to discover.
The city’s historic inns and restaurants give drinkers and diners an escape from the hustle of urban life, while thatched country pubs stand watch over pretty village greens. These offer the quintessential English pub experience – a pint of ale and a packet of crisps in a sunny beer garden, next to the old skittle alley. And you’ll find plenty of memorable micropubs too – modern versions of the 19th-century beerhouse.
Breweries old and new – from Everards, a family brewery founded in 1849, to Round Corner Brewing, created in 2018 – supply ale to these pubs. They also pour from their own buzzing taprooms, serving brewery-fresh pints amid shining steel vats and the scent of hops. The new breed of brewer draws on centuries of knowledge but adds creative modern touches – hops from New Zealand with malt from local farms, funky sour flavours alongside classic IPAs.
But let’s not forget the food. Whether you’re seeking a sandwich after a walk through Leicestershire’s rolling countryside, a comforting plate of fish and chips after exploring Leicester’s Old Town or something more gastro and award-winning, there’s plenty to choose from. For something more genteel, seek out a tea room or even a vineyard. You’ll find aristocratic buildings serving stunning sandwiches and cakes, including Belvoir Castle – the birthplace of afternoon tea. Discover buzzing city venues offering amazing coffee, and tiny village tea rooms that remind you of grandma’s front room. Or how about afternoon tea Indian-style on Leicester’s Golden Mile?
But you can’t visit Leicester or Leicestershire without getting stuck into pork pies, Stilton and Red Leicester cheese – three of England’s best-loved foods. There are many places to enjoy both, not to mention fantastic annual events such as PieFest and the East Midlands Food Festival in Melton Mowbray, England’s ‘Rural Capital of Food’. And for something truly memorable, try a pie-making workshop!
Talking of food and drink experiences, there are plenty more to consider, from brewery and vineyard tours to gin-making classes to cookery schools. Read on to find out more…
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to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
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