Discover Leicester with megabus

Take a bus to Leicester and you’ll find yourself in a city teeming with attractions. For starters, it has plenty of history to shout about. Get clued up on the city’s recent claim to fame at the King Richard III Visitor Centre, then delve into the medieval Guildhall. Meanwhile, aspiring NASA recruits can channel their inner astronaut at the National Space Centre. Then, as evening rolls around, catch a comedy show at the Curve Theatre before sampling one of Belgrave Road’s world-famous curries. However you fancy filling your trip, this cosmopolitan city is ready for you.

Leicester: top 3 things to do

1. Discover the King Richard III Visitor Centre

You’ve probably heard the story of how Richard III’s remains were discovered in a Leicester car park. Now you can find out about the man behind those medieval bones at this fascinating visitor centre. Learn about the king’s controversial reign, his downfall at Bosworth and how his skeleton was discovered.

2. Catch a show at the Curve Theatre
The Curve Theatre is the jewel in the city’s cultural crown. This state-of-the-art venue plays host to stage productions, musicals, comedy acts and a whole lot more. You’ll find it in the Cultural Quarter on Rutland Street. Check out what’s on before booking your coach travel to Leicester.

3. Visit the National Space Centre

The National Space Centre is the UK’s largest attraction devoted to space, science and astronomy, and is a must for stargazers and sci-fi fans. Ponder the universe in the vast planetarium or blast off on a 3D journey to one of Jupiter’s moons. To get there, catch the 54 bus from the city centre.

Leicester: getting around

Your journey to Leicester with megabus will be fuss free. As your coach swallows up the miles, you can usually take advantage of on board features like free WiFi* and charging points* to charge your gadgets. Plus, you’ll get a 20kg luggage allowance.

Once you arrive in Leicester, you’ll find it really easy to get around. The city centre is flat and compact, so walking to the main attractions is your best bet. If you’d rather jump on a bus, there are plenty of services that’ll take you where you want to go. Heading to the University of Leicester or De Montfort University? Both campuses are a 15-minute walk from the city’s train station.

If you want to explore the nearby town of Melton Mowbray and sample its famed pork pies, it’s just 15 minutes away by train. To get to the Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre, jump on the 153 bus to Market Bosworth, then jump in a taxi for the last leg.

Leicester: best for nightlife

The cluster of lively bars and pubs in the city centre will start your night off on the right foot. And there are plenty of clubs that cater for all musical tastes to carry on the party. If it’s a stylish outing you’re after, head to the cocktail bars on Braunstone Gate. The Phoenix, meanwhile, is perfect for a cinema night – you can even have a meal and a glass of wine while you watch the movie.

When it comes to live music venues, Leicester is hard to beat. For big-name acts, there’s the O2 Academy and De Montfort Hall. Or, The Musician and The Shed host more intimate gigs. And don’t head home without tucking into a curry on Belgrave Road, which attracts foodies from far and wide.

Leicester: best for shopping

Seasoned shoppers should head straight for Highcross shopping centre, right in the heart of the city. Here you’ll find over 125 high street retailers, including a four-storey John Lewis. The Haymarket, just a five-minute walk from Highcross, is another great option if you’re after chain stores like H&M and Primark. For a treasure trove of independent shops and boutiques, check out the Lanes. Then stop by Belgrave Road for its countless Indian jewellery shops, and pay a visit to the famous open-air Leicester Market for everything from fabric to falafel.

Leicester for free: our top 3

1. Explore the New Walk Museum and Art Gallery

The city’s oldest museum is full of worldly wonders like Egyptian mummies, dinosaur fossils and Victorian paintings. Leicester local, Sir David Attenborough, has visited the natural history section a number of times. And if it’s good enough for him…

2. Wander through Abbey Park
To escape the hubbub of city life, make a beeline for Abbey Park. The award-winning landscaped gardens are as pretty as they come, complete with a miniature railway and an oriental Chinese garden. You’ll also find the ruins of 12^th-century Leicester Abbey where Cardinal Wolsey uttered his last words.

3. Travel back in time at the Guildhall
Visit the Guildhall and call in on Leicester’s most notorious Victorian pickpockets locked up in 19^th-century cells. The beautifully preserved timber-framed halls date back 600 years, so there’s lots of history to uncover. It’s right next door to Leicester Cathedral.

Book cheap coach tickets to Leicester using the megabus journey planner on this page.

We serve Leicester from a number of routes including:

*Subject to availability and connection