Leicester Student City Guide
A multicultural city in the East Midlands of England, Leicester has two universities that enrol more than 40,000 people combined. And with lots of things to do, see and explore, living in Leicester offers a rich and fulfilling student experience. Discover everything on offer during your university years in this city guide.
Where To Stay in Leicester
Our Leicester student accommodation is perfect for your new adventure in the East Midlands. Located near the city centre, our student homes at The Tannery have everything you need to live your best life at uni. With a choice of private studios and ensuites in shared apartments, you can pick the room type that suits your preferences. Elsewhere in the accommodation, there are incredible social spaces, including a games room, multimedia room, lounge and courtyard, plus residents' events for making new friends. Better yet, all bills are included for easy budgeting, so you can focus on working hard and exploring new horizons.
Cafes and Coffee Shops in Leicester
Leicester is brimming with cafés and coffee shops where you can get your daily caffeine fix. Open from early morning until late evening, Brü is a favourite for its freshly brewed coffee and handmade gelato you can savour at any time of the day. Or, to refuel between lectures, head to St Martin’s Coffee Shop, an independent gem loved for its curated coffee selection and brunch dishes, including vegan and vegetarian options. You'll also find several high-street coffee chains within walking distance of our Leicester student accommodation, including Starbucks and Costa.
Restaurants in Leicester
Eating out on a student budget is easy in Leicester, as you can savour flavours and save on your bill at several restaurants. Highcross Shopping Centre, near our student housing, has a selection of places where you can dine for less, including Turtle Bay, YO! Sushi and Pizza Express. For an independent restaurant with special offers (including cocktail happy hours on weekdays), check out the Merchant of Venice. It has two locations in the city and is much-loved for its menu of comforting Italian classics. What's more, Leicester is renowned for its delicious Asian cuisine, with a range of authentic curry houses on Belgrave Road, also known as 'The Golden Mile'. Discover more places to eat in Leicester as a student.
Nightlife in Leicester
There's a thriving party scene in Leicester, with multiple clubs, pubs and bars serving the student population. You can dance all night at Republic, a club with three rooms, each blasting different genres, so there's something for everyone to enjoy. Monday night is student night, with cheap drinks, great playlists and fun themes garnering over 3000 people from both universities. Mosh is another popular multi-room nightclub playing various genres each night, from alternative to pop and RnB.
If you prefer live music to club nights, head to The Shed, an underground venue with gigs every night, or Firebug, a restaurant, bar and music venue in one. Alternatively, head to one of Leicester's game bars like Lane7 for bowling (which is a stone's throw from The Tannery student accommodation) or Caddyshackers, an indoor crazy golf bar offering special deals for students, ensuring you can have a fun night out on a budget.
Shopping in Leicester
Highcross Shopping Centre, the main retail complex in Leicester city centre, is where you'll find high-street brands, department stores and places to eat all under one roof. Whether indulging in some retail therapy or stocking up on essentials, it's the place to go, as you can shop for fashion, toiletries, homeware and more. For small businesses and independent traders, check out Leicester Market – Europe's largest outdoor covered market. It has a dedicated food hall and hundreds of stalls selling everything from fresh produce to household goods at competitive prices – great for looking after your student bank balance.
Fitness and Wellbeing
It's easy to prioritise your mental and physical health as a student living in Leicester. Our accommodation has an on-site gym, and the location puts you in a convenient place for using fitness facilities in the city centre. The Gym Group in Highcross provides discounted student memberships and 24/7 access, offering flexibility to exercise around your term-time schedule. Meanwhile, PureGym is another low-cost, 24/7 gym with two locations in the city, including one near the universities. Alternatively, get active outside at Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre. With activities including kayaking, aerial walks and climbing walls, it's the ideal place for pushing yourself.
Nature and Outdoor Spaces
Leicester boasts several public parks for enjoying the outdoors and connecting with nature. Abbey Park offers 89 acres of green space straddling the River Soar, with historic architecture, a boating lake and grassy areas, providing a peaceful spot to relax and unwind. Located on the edge of the University of Leicester, Victoria Park is an expansive green space where you'll find formal gardens, tree-lined avenues, playing fields, sports courts and an outdoor gym. From picnics in the sun and nature walks to exercising outdoors, this public park is the place to do it.
Leicester’s Cultural Attractions
Jump into Leicester's creative scene at St George's Cultural Quarter, the city's premier destination for the arts. It's where you'll find a selection of galleries, theatres and events venues, including Curve, Athena, Phoenix Cinema and Arts Centre, The SoundHouse and Two Queens Leicester. North of the city centre sits the National Space Centre. It has the UK's largest planetarium, a spaceport and a rocket tower, offering out-of-this-world experiences to immerse yourself in – perfect when you need an escape from studying.
Enrolling at the University of Leicester or De Montfort University? Find where you belong at our Leicester student accommodation, the perfect home for your new adventure.
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