Abbey Park

Abbey Park is the main public park in Leicester, a city in Leicestershire in the English Midlands. It opened in 1882 and today serves as both an everyday green space for residents and the setting for the ruins of a medieval abbey. The park is owned and run by Leicester City Council and is open to everyone.

What should you know about Abbey Park?

The park covers about 13 hectares close to the city centre. The River Soar flows through it and divides it into two parts. Two bridges, one in the middle and one in the southern part, link the banks, so you can plan a walk as a loop rather than retracing your steps.

How did the park come about?

The council bought marshy land beside the river in 1876 and planned a public park there. The official opening took place on 29 May 1882. The layout was designed by William Barron. Abbey Park is regarded as a good example of a late Victorian municipal park, and its original design has changed very little. Historic England lists it as a Grade II* registered park and garden, a high level of recognition.

What historic sites can you see?

On the west side of the river lie the Abbey Grounds, added to the park in the following decades of the 20th century. This is where Leicester Abbey once stood, a wealthy monastery founded in the 12th century and dissolved in 1538. Today you can see the ruined walls and foundations, which give a sense of how large the abbey once was.

Nearby are the remains of Cavendish House, a mansion built in the 17th century by William Cavendish, 1st Earl of Devonshire. The house did not survive the English Civil War. Accounts differ about who set it alight, so it is worth noting how the story is told on site.

What can you do in the park?

• Stroll along the paths beside the River Soar and cross between the two halves of the park by the bridges.
• See the boating lake and the Victorian pavilion, which has served as a place for gatherings and events since the late 19th century.
• Look at the abbey ruins and the remains of Cavendish House.
• Have a picnic on the lawns, especially on warm days.

Frequently asked questions

When did Abbey Park open? It opened on 29 May 1882. A few sources give other dates, but most, including Polish Wikipedia, name 1882.

How big is Abbey Park? About 13 hectares. The River Soar divides it into two parts joined by bridges.

Is it a historic site? Yes. Historic England lists the park at Grade II*, and the grounds contain the ruins of a medieval abbey.

Do you have to pay to enter? Abbey Park is a municipal park run by Leicester City Council and works as an open public space for residents and visitors.

Is it worth visiting when exploring Leicester? Yes, if you like a mix of greenery and history: a Victorian park, a river, a lake and the ruins of a monastery nearly a thousand years old, all in one place.