Leicester

Leicester City is the country town of Leicestershire in the East Midlands of England. It is situated on the River Soar and and at the edge of the National Forest. The settlement was founded in AD 50 along the Fosse Way Roman Road, in the midst of a region inhabited by native Celtic tribes. The settlement was a Roman military outpost known as Ratae Corieltauvorum, and a number of Roman pavements and baths can still be seen. It later became a key fortified city under Danelaw. The town grew substantially in the Industrial Revolution, due to its excellent position on the canal and rail networks.

The town has a number of interesting features and places of interest, including Watermead Country Park, which is the supposed burial place of King Leir, the mythical founder of Kaerleir, or 'Leir's chester', meaning Leir's fortified town. The Park displays a statue of the tragic Shakespearian character King Lear, who was based on Leicestershire's fabled king.

Other attractions of the local area include the ruins of Leicester Abbey in Abbey Park, Drayton Manor Theme Park, and the ruins of Bradgate House — birthplace of "The Nine Days Queen", Lady Jane Grey.

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