Town Hall Square

Town Hall Square is a compact public square in the centre of Leicester, in the East Midlands of England, laid out in front of the city's Victorian Town Hall. It sits among Horsefair Street, Every Street and Bishop Street, within easy walking distance of the main shopping streets, which makes it a natural place to pause during a city-centre visit.

What is Town Hall Square and where is it?

The square lies in the middle of Leicester and is bounded by Horsefair Street, Every Street and Bishop Street. Its coordinates are roughly 52.6336 N, 1.1322 W. The area around it is protected as a conservation area, which takes in parts of Horsefair Street, Bowling Green Street and Bishop Street, so the setting has kept much of its historic character.

What is the main sight here?

The square is dominated by Leicester Town Hall, a large Queen Anne style building in red brick with yellow stone dressings. It has two storeys with an attic and a basement, and a clock tower rises at its northern end. The building is listed Grade II*, a rating given to particularly important buildings in England.

Why was the Town Hall built?

By the 1870s the borough council had outgrown the medieval Guildhall, where it had long been based. It chose a site off Horsefair Street that had previously been a cattle market. An architectural competition was held in the early 1870s and was won by a local architect, Francis J. Hames. Construction took around two years, and the Mayor, Alderman William Barfoot, opened the building on 7 August 1876. In August 2026 the city marked 150 years since that day.

Is there a fountain?

Yes. A fountain stands in the centre of the square. It is dated 1879, was also designed by Hames, and was presented to the borough by Israel Hart, who served as High Bailiff. Like the Town Hall, it is a listed structure and a good spot for photographs with the clock tower behind.

Are there any curious details?

The Town Hall once housed the Borough Police, and prison cells still survive in its basement. Heritage tours of the building also mention that it came close to destruction in the Second World War, when a German bomb fell nearby.

When is the best time to visit?

The square is open to walk through at any time, and the architecture is easiest to appreciate in daylight, when the colour contrast of brick and stone stands out. The Town Hall is still in civic use, so interior access depends on organised tours and open days such as the heritage open days programme; check the council's current information before planning a visit.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Town Hall Square? In central Leicester, between Horsefair Street, Every Street and Bishop Street.

Who designed the Town Hall? Local architect Francis J. Hames won the design competition, and he also designed the fountain in the square.

When did the Town Hall open? On 7 August 1876.

Can I go inside the Town Hall? Interior visits are generally possible only on guided tours or open days, so check ahead.

Is the square worth a short stop? Yes. It is small, but the Victorian architecture, the clock tower and the fountain make it one of the most photogenic corners of the city centre.