Leicester Cathedral Religious Site
Medieval cathedral housing Richard III's tomb
A medieval cathedral in Leicester that houses Prince Richard III's reinterred remains and displays of medieval stonework; visitors come for architecture, archaeology exhibits and weekly services.
Leicester Cathedral at a Glance#
Address: St Martin’s Square, Leicester LE1 5PZ, United Kingdom (Leicester Cathedral)
Website: https://leicestercathedral.org/
About Leicester Cathedral#
Leicester Cathedral, formally the Cathedral Church of St Martin, is the Anglican cathedral in the city of Leicester, England. The building contains significant medieval fabric and serves as the city’s diocesan cathedral.
The cathedral displays Gothic architecture across its nave and choir and functions for regular worship, civic services and visitor tours. A principal point of interest is the modern tomb and memorial to King Richard III, attracting many visitors.
Originally a medieval parish church, the building became a cathedral in the 20th century and has undergone restorations and alterations across centuries. The discovery of a skeleton in 2012 beneath a nearby car park, later confirmed as Richard III and reburied in the cathedral in 2015, is a major recent event in its history.
The cathedral is located in Leicester city centre, close to the market quarter and public transport links, in the English county of Leicestershire.
- Richard III discovery and reburial: Remains of King Richard III were identified under a Leicester city car park in 2012 and reinterred in the cathedral in 2015, drawing international attention to the site.
What to See#
- Richard III tomb: A marble tomb and memorial within the cathedral precinct that contains the reinterred remains of King Richard III; it is located in a chapel at the east end of the building.
- Medieval nave and choir: The cathedral nave, choir and medieval fabric dating largely to the 12th to 15th centuries, featuring Gothic architectural elements and later restorations.
How to Get to Leicester Cathedral#
Leicester Cathedral is a 5-10 minute walk from Leicester Railway Station in the city center. Several bus routes serve the city center and stop nearby; parking in the city is limited-use public transport where possible.
Tips for Visiting Leicester Cathedral#
- The cathedral is in Leicester city center and is a short walk from Leicester Railway Station-allow extra time to see the King Richard III tomb exhibit.
- Visit the King Richard III Visitor Centre (next door) before or after the cathedral to contextualize the cathedral's modern fame.
- Check service times if wanting to see the interior with fewer crowds; the cathedral sometimes hosts events that limit visitor access.
Best Time to Visit Leicester Cathedral#
Open year-round; spring and autumn provide comfortable city weather and manageable visitor numbers. Summer is busiest due to school holidays.
Weather & Climate near Leicester Cathedral#
Leicester Cathedral's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 1°C to 22°C. Moderate rainfall (626 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 1° - 7° | 0° | 55 mm | overcast | 94% | 5.0 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.1h |
| February | Poor | 1° - 7° | 0° | 42 mm | overcast | 91% | 4.9 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.7h |
| March | Acceptable | 3° - 10° | 3° | 48 mm | overcast | 87% | 5.0 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | 4° - 13° | 6° | 48 mm | overcast | 83% | 4.5 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 13.8h |
| May | Good | 7° - 17° | 12° | 47 mm | overcast | 81% | 4.2 m/s | 1.2 high | 15.5h |
| June | Good | 10° - 20° | 15° | 58 mm | overcast | 80% | 3.9 m/s | 1.4 high | 16.5h |
| July | Very Good | 12° - 22° | 17° | 48 mm | overcast | 80% | 3.8 m/s | 1.4 high | 16.0h |
| August | Good | 12° - 22° | 17° | 57 mm | overcast | 81% | 3.8 m/s | 1.1 high | 14.5h |
| September | Good | 10° - 18° | 14° | 55 mm | overcast | 84% | 4.1 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Acceptable | 7° - 14° | 10° | 54 mm | overcast | 89% | 4.2 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.4h |
| November | Acceptable | 4° - 10° | 4° | 56 mm | overcast | 94% | 4.4 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.6h |
| December | Poor | 2° - 8° | 1° | 58 mm | overcast | 95% | 4.7 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.5h |
