Leicester /ˈlɛstər/ (audio speaker iconlisten) is a city, unitary authority and the county town of Leicestershire in the East Midlands of England. The city lies on the River Soar and close to the eastern end of the National Forest. It is to the north-east of Birmingham and Coventry, south of Nottingham, and west of Peterborough. The 2016 mid year estimate of the population of the City of Leicester unitary authority was 348,300, an increase of approximately 18,500 (Increase 5.6%) from the 2011 census figure of 329,839, making it the most populous municipality in the East Midlands region. The associated urban area is also the 11th most populous in England and the 13th most populous in the United Kingdom. Leicester is at the intersection of two major railway lines—the north–south Midland Main Line and the east/west Birmingham to London Stansted CrossCountry line; as well as the confluence of the M1/M69 motorways and the A6/A46 trunk routes. Leicester is the home to football club Leicester City and rugby club Leicester Tigers.Abbey Rise Ashton Green Aylestone Beaumont Leys Bede Island Belgrave Blackfriars Braunstone Frith City Centre Clarendon Park Crown Hills Dane Hills Evington Evington Valley Eyres Monsell Frog Island Gilmorton Goodwood Hamilton Highfields Horston Hill Humberstone Humberstone Garden Kirby Frith Knighton , Leicester Tigers have been the most successful English rugby union football club since the introduction of a league in 1987, winning it a record ten times, four more than either Bath or Wasps. They last won the Premiership title in 2013.[137][138] King Power Stadium, home of Leicester City F.C. Leicester City F.C. are a professional association football club based at the King Power Stadium who play in the Premier League. They were promoted as champions of the Football League Championship in the 2013–14 season, a return to the top flight of English football after a decade away, and won the Premier League title in 2016, despite the odds of them winning at the start of the season being 5000/1. Leicester Riders are the oldest professional basketball team in the country. In 2016, they moved into the new Charter Street Leicester Community Sports Arena. Leicestershire County Cricket Club who are a professional cricket club based at Grace Road, Leicester currently play in the second tier of the county championship. They won the County Championship in 1996 and 1998. Greyhound racing took place at two venues in the city; the main venue was the Leicester Stadium which hosted racing from 1928 to 1984, it also hosted speedway. A smaller track existed at Aylestone Road (1927–1929). Montrose Mowmacre Hill Netherhall Newfoundpool New Parks North Evington Northfields Rowlatts Hill Rowley Fields Rushey Mead Saffron Southfields South Knighton Spinney Hills Stocking Farm Stoneygate St. Matthew's St. Mark's St. Peters Thurnby Lodge West End West Knighton Western Park WoodgateThe city hosts annually a Caribbean Carnival and parade (the largest in the UK outside London), Diwali celebrations (the largest outside of India),[131] the largest comedy festival in the UK Leicester Comedy Festival and a Pride Parade (Leicester Pride). Belgrave Road, not far from the city centre, is colloquially known as "The Golden Mile" because of the number of Jewellers. The Leicester International Short Film Festival is an annual event; it commenced in 1996 under the banner title of "Seconds Out". It has become one of the most important short film festivals in the UK and usually runs in early November, with venues including the Phoenix Square.[132][133][134] Phoenix Square cinema and media complex Notable arts venues in the city include: Curve: Purpose-designed performing arts centre, designed by Rafael Viñoly, opened in Autumn 2008,[135] The De Montfort Hall The Haymarket Theatre The Little Theatre The Y Theatre at the YMCA [136] The Peepul Centre, Designed by Andrzej Blonski Architects, the £15 million building was opened in 2005 and houses an auditorium, restaurant, cyber café, gym and dance studio for the local people, as well as being used for conferences and events. The centre has even been host to former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and other senior Labour Party figures for hustings during the deputy leadership contest. Phoenix Square, which in 2009, replaced the Phoenix Arts Centre. The Sue Townsend Theatre – which opened in the former Phoenix Arts Centre. Museums Newarke Houses Museum (Grade II*) Leicester Museum & Art Gallery Abbey Pumping Station Jewry Wall Museum Belgrave Hall Gas Museum (Leicester) The Guildhall King Richard III Visitor Centre #leicestermap

• published: 20 Feb 2022
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