Are you looking for some new ideas of where to go and what to do this summer? We’re here to help with our 2019 Leicestershire summer bucket list.
Whether you want to get out to a music festival, enjoy a day on the water, or fancy catching some outdoor cinema, here are our top tips.
Paddle to the pub
Grab your friends and head out for drinks with a twist. Whizz or glide along the scenic canal spots in your individual kayaks stopping at up to 3 different pubs for drinks and a bit to eat, before paddling back. You can choose to start from Leicester, Syston, Mountsorrel, Barrow-On-Soar or Normanton on Soar and it’s priced at £49 for a half day outing. Find out more from Let’s Get Lost Leicester.
Wind your way through Wistow Maze
Winner of Best Visitor Attraction at last year’s Leicestershire Tourism Awards, the maze at Wistow re-opens on Saturday 20 July. Taking inspiration from the 50th anniversary of the first man on the moon, this year’s maze has an astronaut design. There are 3 miles of pathways with high level bridges and viewing towers giving stunning panoramic views. Follow the quiz trail through the maze and reward yourself with tea and cake at Wistow Cafe Bistro afterwards! The maze is priced at £6.95 for adults and £5.95 for under 13s. Find out more on the website.
Outdoor theatre in Bradgate Park
What more scenic setting could you wish for to watch outdoor theatre than Bradgate Park? This year you can enjoy matinee and evening performances of Wind in the Willows and A Midsummer Night’s Dream on Thursday 8 and Friday 9 August. Tickets are £8 for children and £12 for adults. Book via the Bradgate Park website.
Head to a music festival
There’s still time to get yourself to a music festival this summer. For indie fans grab yourself a ticket to one of the UK’s best kept secrets, 110 Above, which takes place at Gopsall Farm in Twycross from 2 – 4 August. The line-up includes Pale Waves, Mystery Jets, Swim Deep, Ten Tonnes and Leicester’s own Easy Life and tickets are selling fast. Prefer your cheesy music? Why not grab a ticket to Back to the 80s 90s Festival at Cattows Farm at the end of August? You’ll get to relive your childhood with S Club, B*Witched, 911, A1, Tony Hadley and the Vengaboys! Tickets are on sale now.
Day boat hire and gin at The Waterfront
Head over to Market Harborough to enjoy a glass of gin or fizz and a bite to eat by the marina and its picturesque backdrop. Furthermore, you can tie in a day of boat hire in too with boats for up to 12 people available to hire from right there at Union Wharf. With day hire running until 5pm, The Waterfront is a perfect post-cruise stop to carry on your day out. Find out more via The Waterfront website and details on boat hire from Union Wharf.
Aqua Park Rutland
If you haven’t visited Aqua Park Rutland since its launch back in 2016 then you’re in luck because it’s back with a super soaking splash. The UK’s largest inflatable aqua park is now in its 3rd year and features include the launch of the Beast II, sure to get adrenaline junkies hearts’ racing. The park is now a staggering 100m wide and features climbing walls, trampolines, balance bars, rockers, rollers and the UK’s biggest jumps and slides. Grab your tickets from the Aqua Park Rutland website.
Outdoor cinema
Who’s a fan of Grease or The Greatest Showman? You can enjoy a picnic whilst watching your favourite as Grace Road hosts two days of outdoor cinema. Book tickets now to see Grease on Saturday 3 August (7pm) or The Greatest Showman on Sunday 4 August (2pm). Tickets are priced at £8 for adults and £4 for children. Buy from the Leicestershire CCC website.
A night of European football
As Leicester City prepare for the new season, they’ll be welcoming Serie A side Atalanta over to King Power Stadium for a friendly pre-season fixture. Atalanta finished the 2018/19 Serie A season in an impressive third position, behind Juventus and Napoli and will be heading into their first ever UEFA Champions League campaign this year. The match is on Friday 2 August and tickets are priced from £13 for adults and £10 for children. Buy tickets via the LCFC website.
Visit Belvoir Castle and The Engine Yard
A wonderful addition to Belvoir Castle, enjoy an afternoon and evening at the Engine Yard this summer. Carefully restored from Victorian buildings and surrounded by woodland, it’s now home to a distinctive selection of shops and experiences right next to Belvoir Castle. After a walk around the castle or a browse around the shops why not stop off at the brand new Balloon Bar for a gin and bite of tapas? The hot air balloon themed gin & tapas bar will also be hosting live music every Friday night through the summer. Find out more on the Balloon Bar website.
Afternoon tea on the terrace at Stapleford Park
Of course you can’t go through summer without heading for afternoon tea one day and where better than to visit the wonderful Stapleford Park, where you can enjoy the luxurious afternoon tea on their outdoor terrace? Choose from traditional, vegetarian or vegan afternoon tea and they also offer a special Baby Shower Afternoon Tea with colour themes for those celebrating. Find out more on the Stapleford Park website.
Music and comedy in the city centre
City Festival has cranked things up this year and they’re going to be putting a big transparent dome on Jubilee Square in August with a line-up of live music, comedy and events. They’ve already announced British Sea Power, BC Camplight, Lloyd Griffith and comedy pals and there’s plenty more to come. Canteen will be there hosting the street food and there’ll be a bar on the square too. You won’t want to miss it. Event tickets are available via Gigantic and stay tuned for more artist announcements.
What’s top of your to do list this summer? Let us know over on Twitter or Instagram.