The Guildhall Museum image

The Guildhall Museum

Tourist attraction Museum

Medieval building, centred on Great Hall, celebrating Richard III, whose remains were found nearby. People often mention building, free, history, Leicester, visit, staff, museum, tour, lovely, great,


Address

Guildhall Ln, Leicester LE1 5FQ, United Kingdom

Website

www.leicester.gov.uk

Contact

+44 116 253 2569

Rating on Google Maps

4.70 (646 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Wednesday: 11 am to 4:30 pm
  • Thursday: 11 am to 4:30 pm
  • Friday: 11 am to 4:30 pm
  • Saturday: 11 am to 4:30 pm
  • Sunday: 11 am to 4:30 pm
  • Monday: 11 am to 4:30 pm
  • Tuesday: 11 am to 4:30 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: building (20) free (13) history (12) Leicester (12) visit (10) staff (10) museum (9) tour (9) lovely (9) great (8)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 4/5 kevin m. 3 months ago on Google • 405 reviews New
    The Guildhall museum situated next to the cathedral is free to enter. Although the exhibits are quite small in number , it's a fascinating place , with some excellent rooms to walk through that positively drip history. Some you may have seen one of the rooms on TV, as certain Richard III news conferences were held here in one of the rooms. There are toilets on site too and a small shop. We'll worth a visit
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Anthony C. 6 months ago on Google • 968 reviews
    Visited this musuem as it was near the cathedral and the cathedral was closed. The guildhall itself is impressive and some interactive exhibition about medieval life in Leicester. Not bad for a free museum.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tania I. 1 year ago on Google
    It's a free admission museum. Opens in the late morning. Probably around 11am. There are some places that might be able to scare you just a bit, specially if you are visiting alone. Bought a souvenir ( a red feather pen). Card machine was not working, so had to pay with cash.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Maria A. 1 year ago on Google
    A great museum with really informative guide tours! I was there on a guided tour with Mark who told really engaging and exciting stories about the past of Leicester. Highly recommended!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Susan B. 2 months ago on Google • 8 reviews New
    My husband & I went to watch the best of Joe Hisaishi by candlelight. It was a lovely evening, felt nice & cosy with all the candles! The musicians played perfectly & explained about the music pieces & Joe Hisaishi himself. Would absolutely go again!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kim 1 year ago on Google
    We had a wonderful time with our granddaughters they absolutely loved it . The staff were very friendly and helpful we all left with a smile !
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Connor M. 1 year ago on Google
    It's free so might as well go. Cute little building with some interesting archaeology and museum stuff. Little balcony bit with a view of the cathedral which makes for a lovely pic, as demonstrated with me modelling. Kind staff and I like that they hold talks there too.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Patrick V. 1 year ago on Google
    Have visited the museum previously and found much of the information on the history of Leicester fascinating. Recently revisited for a Candlelit Show, the guildhall is such a perfect location for classical music, you can feel the history in every inch of this building. If you're visiting Leicester this is a must.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Alan W. 8 months ago on Google
    Wow this place is cool as heck. There's plenty to see and it's free entry so you really get value for money. We visited during the summer holidays and it wasn't too crowded. Also on site is a rather nice little Caffe that's got cheap drinks for sale especially with it been in a prime location in the city.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Kaptain G. 7 months ago on Google • 485 reviews
    Small but definitely worth seeing. Learn about some of Leicester's history. Wonderfully preserved old town 'council' hall, including a couple of cells that used to hold prisoners hundreds of years ago. Medieval building feel.

  • 5/5 Julie H. 1 year ago on Google
    Interesting museum in the centre of Leicester. There is direct access from the Cathedral cafe (we didn't know and walked around the outside) Traditional style museum going through the history of the Guildhall and its place in Leicester. The building is gorgeous and from the courtyard you do get a very peaceful view of the Cathedral.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lisa B. 1 year ago on Google
    Leicester's oldest civic building is a beautiful and fascinating tourist attraction. We had a free guided tour from Mark who gave us the history of the building, which was informative and entertaining. I recommend booking a tour as you get access to parts of the building not normally available to the public, such as the Jury Room. Last month we thoroughly enjoyed a candle-lit performance of M.R. James ghost storytelling in the wonderfully atmospheric wood panelled Mayor's Parlour.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Brandon F. 1 year ago on Google
    Free, never crowded, just five steps from the cathedral! I highly recommend this place if you have only a day to spend in Leicester. Like most guildhalls, this is an historic building that's no longer in use. It is one of England's oldest standing timber-framed buildings, dating to the 1390s, and it was once the town's seat of government. It is probably the most accessible of the medieval vernacular architecture in England since visitors don't have to drive miles into the countryside to find it. The site includes a small museum, reconstruction dungeon, two well-preserved halls. Little imagination is required to imagine the Middle Ages. Very photogenic every direction you look
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sónia E. 1 year ago on Google
    Great place to visit, free entry a lot of info around the the town and how it links with the country history.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Diane T. 6 years ago on Google
    We love The Guildhall and have to go for a walk around both this building and the Cathedral quarters each time we visit Leicester. Historic English cultured building whose soul is tangible - Shakespeare is reputed to have visited here.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Emma P. 5 years ago on Google
    Nice little gem. Free entry with suggested donation £2. Youre free to wander around the building and all rooms as you please. I especially loved the antiques on display including old chests, chairs and books. A couple of info posters scattered around to give you some background. There was a school group in at the time which was great to see. Free toilets
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 stephen B. 2 years ago on Google
    Attended one of the Sunday guided tours (free but must be booked online). Mark the guide was very engaging and showed us all round including areas not usually open to public. Took about 1.5hrs. well worth a visit
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mainie 2 years ago on Google
    Came here last weekend for an exhibition and what a beautiful quirky building! Lovely location with many restaurants within walking distance, great wee visit
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 christopher h. 1 year ago on Google
    A really engaging tour of the place, despite being small, the history of the place was brought to life by the tour guide who provided a historical narrative. Which incidentally grew as the tour progressed, starting at 8 people and ending with almost 20..
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Magdalena B. 2 years ago on Google
    Lovely place. Gives you chills though, especially prison cells. It made me jump when I flashed the light through the cell bars! Very realistic, you can feel the medieval times. Definitely must see in Leicester.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Hubert B. 2 years ago on Google
    Went to the Guildhall, opposite Leicester Cathedral, they had a Christmas market, the stalls were mostly indoors, but the stalls outside looked atmospheric when it started to snow, well done to all the stall holders for displaying a range of goods.If you like flutes go to Wildwood loveflutes for native American style flutes,hand crafted in England, these are totally different flutes that I have ever seen with lovely sounds, thanks for the demo🌟. I hope this market will be repeated,also a well presented stand that stood out was the calligraphy stall,it was a joy to see all the writing materials🌟
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Alexis Cowell (Alexis I C. 4 months ago on Google • 217 reviews
    This was a cute and interesting tourist attraction. They also hosted a paranormal equipment taster night. This place is super old and super cool. I’d definitely give it a visit just to check out any events they might be hosting. There’s also a small theater with a stage and it’s rumored to have hosted Shakespeare. Clean bathrooms and very friendly and dedicated staff. Not sure who worked so hard to get us into the paranormal event, but thanks! Not every American can say they got to investigate ghostly activity in the UK 😝

  • 5/5 alice i. 9 months ago on Google • 210 reviews
    Returned 30/05/2033 Kids crown and flag craft (free) Lots of interactive parts that interested my daughter. She's obsessed with jails, so loved the cells part. She would have liked to be able to go inside a cell and role play. Friendly staff. Let us park our large trailer in the courtyard for safe keeping. Free entry! Some interactive stations for kids. Jail section which my daughter would love so I will have to return. Clean toilets. Cafe and gift shop. Outside area. Would make a lovely spot for a quick picnic.

  • 5/5 Walter B. 2 months ago on Google • 143 reviews New
    Wow what a great place. Guided tour lasted 90 minutes very informative,highly recommend so much history in one building.

  • 5/5 Andy H. 2 months ago on Google • 105 reviews New
    We went to see a string quartet playing the music of Studio Ghibli by candle light. Great venue and excellent performance.

  • 5/5 Satu M. 3 months ago on Google • 4 reviews New
    Brilliant experience. Beautiful and interesting medieval building and lovely staff. Well worth to visit

  • 5/5 Nix L. 9 months ago on Google
    I love Leicester's Guildhall. You can practically feel the history oozing from the walls, it even has its own ghosts! The staff are always very helpful and friendly. And it is close to some great dining/ drinking places. All in all, it is so worth the visit, and it will cost you nothing!

  • 5/5 ADI W. 2 years ago on Google
    Great building with great history

  • 5/5 Lianne S. 6 months ago on Google
    A beautiful setting… an amazing experience. Highly recommend! and paying for premium tickets to get the best view.

  • 4/5 Tomek I. 2 years ago on Google
    It was closed. I could only see outside.

  • 5/5 Lauren M. 2 years ago on Google
    What a beautiful venue and lovely staff. We enjoy a wonderful ceremony at The Guildhall surrounded by family and friends. The staff on the run up to the wedding and the staff on the day were all so accommodating and caring. Thank you.

  • 5/5 Scott R. 1 year ago on Google
    Visited for a candlelight concert. Unique and fascinating building and great location for the concert.

  • 5/5 Victoria A. 2 years ago on Google
    I like this place it is in a lovely location including near the Cathedral, St. Martins House, Richard 3rd Exhibition and so forth. Lovely how they have café around the area too in a lovely part of Leicester. The children liked how they pottered around and exploring.

  • 4/5 Birju P. 1 year ago on Google
    Went there for a Candle light concert commemorating the music compositions Hans Zimmer. Was good, only thing was it was hard to see anything because all the people in front of me blocked my view. But was a good musical experience.

  • 4/5 Paul M. 2 years ago on Google
    Just as interesting as ever. With the addition of space rockets to find.

  • 5/5 Anne R. 1 year ago on Google
    There's a really good trail for children, concentrating on some of Leicester's most prominent characters from the past. The Great Hall, Library and Prison Cells are full of interest and it's all free! A wonderful place for all the family, particularly in the school holdays!

  • 5/5 Ronna F. 1 year ago on Google
    We were exploring the city for the first time and came across it by accident. It looked interesting from the outside and decided to go inside to investigate. It is free to entre. The building was very well maintained considering the age. Much time and investment was put into to bring it to what it is now. You can wonder around freely or book a guided tour. I would recommend a guided tour if you are interested to know more about the building and its purposes. Otherwise there is not much information available. Worth the visit if you are interested in history, building and the city.

  • 5/5 Colin S. 2 years ago on Google
    A great place to visit amazing historic building, Lots of different uses throughout it's time. And free entry though if you wish to make a donation.

  • 5/5 H L. 2 months ago on Google • 2 reviews New
    Attended Candlelight: The Best of Joe Hisaishi on Sat 20th Jan at The Guildhall Leicester. It was a wonderful evening, and fully enjoyed by our whole group. Beautiful music played by talented musicians, amazing setting and atmosphere for an overall lovely and moving evening. Very friendly staff. Thank you again for a fantastic evening for a special occasion 🥰🤩


Call +44 116 253 2569 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance

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