Seating is assigned on a first come first served basis in each zone. If you would like to book a private concert or buy regular tickets for a large group (30 people).

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring like never seen before. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Queen and ABBA. Programme: - Dancing Queen - SOS - Money, Money, Money - Bohemian Rhapsody - I Want to Break Free - Waterloo - Super Trouper - Mamma Mia - Don't Stop Me Now - We Will Rock You - We Are the Champions Performers String Quartet - Kavolini.

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience. Seating is assigned on a first come first served basis in each zone. Performers String Quartet - Chaos Collective

Oscar Wilde's only novel is adapted for the stage in this atmospheric one-man show. What awful secret is stored inside the attic? Only the eternally youthful and charming Dorian Gray knows. But as his appetite for sin leads to ever greater acts of wickedness, Gray will stop at nothing to make sure no one discovers the dreadful truth! Jonathan Goodwin plays Oscar Wilde in this thrilling one-man performance adapted by himself from the Wilde novel.

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations never before used for this purpose. Buy your tickets now to discover the music of Hans Zimmer under the gentle glow of candlelight.

Discovering the Secrets of Britain’s Ancient Buildings. Visit any settlement in the land and there will be ancient buildings hidden in plain sight. Behind a Victorian façade is a Tudor house. Underneath a Georgian frontage is a mediaeval cottage. What is now a modern farm may once have been a castle. We know relatively little about the ancient buildings that surround us, yet buildings archaeology can offer us so many clues for discovering the secrets of hidden historic houses. This talk looks at the ways in which ancient buildings have been studied and conserved, the puzzling ways that some buildings became listed whereas others were overlooked, and how we can really understand the age and development of a structure. James will use case studies drawn from his career to explain the fascinating, enigmatic, and surprising world of The Buildings Archaeologist. : The speaker, James Wright (Triskele Heritage), is an award-winning buildings archaeologist. He has over a quarter of a century professional experience of ferreting around in people’s cellars, hunting through their attics and digging up their gardens. He hopes to find meaningful truths about how ordinary and extraordinary folk lived their lives in the past. He is the author of Historic Building Mythbusting (The History Press, 2024) and The Buildings Archaeologist (The History Press, 2026).

The age of the Victorians was one of industrialisation, secularisation and scientific development. It was also the birthplace of Modern Spiritualism, a new religion and belief system that brought the heavens into living rooms and reunited the living with the dead. As Darwin spoke of evolution and Queen Victoria bathed in grief, mediums delivered messages from the deceased, comforted the bereaved and offered proof of life beyond death. Yet beneath the comforting messages of reconciliation and immortality, was a strange subculture of curious claims and bizarre phenomena. Some mediums commanded spirits to manifest live animals from thin air, began fearsome rivalries and allowed ghosts to walk among the living. Throughout the 19th century, there are accounts of mediums levitating across cities, filling rooms with heavenly flowers, dumping eels on the heads of sitters and even sharing biscuits with spirits. Dr Kate Cherrell delivers a fascinating and enlightening talk about the history of a much misunderstood movement, including its biggest names, biggest claims, and even bigger critics.

Join crime historian Adam Wood for an evening of local true crime tales, when he reveals some of the darkest stories from Leicester’s Victorian past. Cases include the man stabbed to death after arguing with five Italian organ grinders, the argument between two local quarrymen which ended with a pickaxe being buried in the skull of one, and the man who resolved his long-running feud with his father - by smashing him on the head with a hammer. That’s not to mention the young man who told anyone who would listen that alcohol was the path to ruin - but not before he had had a skinful himself, and almost decapitated his sweetheart and thrown her body in a ditch.

Pedalling from venue to venue with all of their set, props and costumes on the back of their bikes, the HandleBards are a four-strong troupe of actors who are spending the summer bringing environmentally sustainable Shakespeare to venues across the UK. Join the troupe at Leicester Guildhall for a fantastically funny bicycle-powered production of Shakespeare’s ‘As You Like It’. What’s the play about? Well – Rosalind and her cousin Celia flee to the Forest of Arden, where they bump into Rosalind’s love interest Orlando. However, Rosalind is disguised as a young man. Cue some local Shepherds getting involved and the stage is set for a wild ride of wooing, hilarious mistaken identity and the odd wrestling match.

Immerse yourself in this remarkable space in Leicester for an intimate concert with Cole Stacey as he presents his critically acclaimed debut album Postcards From Lost Places. Bringing together his years of experience on stage, Cole's deeply personal solo shows are rooted in storytelling, directed by a love of popular song and have connection with people and places at their heart.

Mary Volk has been left a gift by her Uncle, the ventriloquist Fredrick Sale. A seemingly innocuous trunk filled with his theatre costumes. But the trunk isn’t all that it seems. Why is it smaller on the inside than the out? With numerous sold out shows under their belt including acclaimed performances at the UK Ghost Story Festival and London Month of the Dead and a growing reputation for creating a unique sense of dread in their audiences, Weeping Bank returns to Leicester Guildhall this November to present 'Pock'. Written and narrated by The Librarian and brought to life with atmospheric lighting and a haunting soundscape, this unsettling tale is not to be missed. Weeping Bank bridges a gap between Audible and Theatre, creating a fresh hinterland for horror aficionados to explore. But be warned - you may find the shadows a little darker afterwards. ‘A masterclass in the art of the modern ghost story.’ Writer & Journalist, Bronte Schiltz ‘Well-written and flawlessly delivered with thespian-level gravitas.’ Director & Writer, Emma Dark Warning - Weeping Bank readings contain moments of heightened tension. The reading is unsuitable for children or the faint of heart. For more about Weeping Bank, head over to www.weepingbank.com.

A relaxing afternoon of slow stitch. Join Pam for a relaxing afternoon of slow stitch. You'll find everything you need in your prepared kit to create a beautiful vase of flowers with simple stitcthes. Enjoy hot drinks and biscuits in the stunning setting of the Guildhall.

Curious about sea glass? Love getting creative? Come and join us for a magical Children’s & Family Sea Glass Workshop where you’ll turn these ocean treasures into something truly beautiful! Create your own unique Art work Fun for the whole family Spend a couple of hours making amazing memories Spaces are limited – don’t miss out on this sparkling seaside adventure!

A Life of Barbara Villiers: Charles II's most infamous mistress! Barbara Villiers rose from penniless aristocrat to the wealthy and powerful Duchess of Cleveland, becoming one of the most influential —and infamous — mistresses of King Charles II. Who was this beguiling woman, regarded by some as 'the curse of the nation'? Join popular historian Andrea Zuvich, The Seventeenth Century Lady, for a look at the dramatic life of Barbara Villiers, the subject of Zuvich's 2024 biography.

Leicester is home to more than 190 parks, community gardens, local nature reserves and green open spaces, but beneath their lawns and trees lies a remarkable hidden past. Join archaeologist Mathew Morris to explore the unseen heritage of the city’s green spaces. From Bronze Age bog bodies and Anglo-Saxon burials to a lost medieval abbey, Georgian county parks and forgotten air‑raid shelters, these everyday places conceal some of the city’s most fascinating archaeology, protected for centuries from urban development.

The ‘good’ outlaw is a major and recurring trope in medieval literature. Popularised by tales of Robin Hood, the outlaw is often portrayed as a social rebel and a romantic hero fighting against corrupt, cowardly, and greedy authorities. The reality behind the fiction was much grimmer. Join archaeologist Mathew Morris and find out more about Leicestershire’s real medieval outlaws, including Roger Godberd, the Folville brothers, and the killer friar Robert of Kenilworth.

“Leicester has a castle?” is often a visitor’s surprised response when told. Today it might not be a fairy-tale castle of tall walls, turrets and gates but it is a hidden gem in the city’s history, for over 900 years visited by kings and colourful characters. Join archaeologist Mathew Morris to find out more about the castle’s history and archaeology, including new discoveries found during the recent refurbishment of the 12th-century Great Hall, the oldest surviving aisled timber hall in Britain.

Bring the Kids to Leicester Guildhall to become an archaeologist for the day. Make your own archaeologist’s hat, trowel and ID badge and have a go at digging up some pictures of treasure in our dig trays. Find the pictures of uncovered artefacts around the museum and then discover the actual items in our galleries. £4 Advance online for each participating child,adults free.

Make a wizard wand, hat and magical “rabbit in a hat” toy. Find the pictures around the museum in our wizard world trail and join in our broomstick game in the courtyard (broomsticks provided). £4 Advance online for each participating child,adults free.

A fun day of crafts and activities at Leicester Guildhall which was once Leicester’s first Police station. Make a police dog glove puppet, a cops ‘n’ robbers game and a Guildhall police hat. Throw sponges at your family in the stocks and find the pictures in the museum trail. £4 Advance online for each participating child,adults free.

Get into the festival spirit with a fun day of crafts and activities at Leicester Guildhall. Kids can make a musical shaker, a flag and a hat and join in our musical parade around the courtyard. “That’s how it’s done done done!” £4 Advance online for each participating child,adults free.

If you had all the craft materials available, what would you make? Bring the kids to Leicester Guildhall and find out. Choose materials from our craft table and make whatever you want. Paper, card, lolly sticks, buttons, beads, chalks, pipe cleaners and lots more! We have lots of ideas available to help you and some craft packs from previous events. Bring a bag to carry your creations home. £4 Advance online for each participating child,adults free.

This October, something wickedly wonderful is coming to Leicester Guildhall… The historic (and supposedly haunted) Guildhall will host its first Alternative Market, we will transform into a marketplace brimming with the strange and unusual. Alternative creators, makers, and curators of curiosities will host an array of stalls inside one of Leicester’s most atmospheric buildings. This is a celebration of the weird and the wonderful!

Peter Knight's Gigspanner Trio - Return to the Guildhall! "There’s something of the proverbial elder statesman about Peter Knight, in terms of his place in music, which cannot be overstated. It’s not just in the quality of his playing...there’s a focus on the sheer inventiveness of Peter’s playing, in the adventurous arrangements he shares with his collaborators, and in his musical leadership” - Northern Sky Magazine Since his inaugural performance with the fledgling Steeleye Span in 1970, Peter Knight has been a mainstay of the British folk scene. Never one to rest on his laurels, Peter has carved a reputation as a relentlessly questing musician “as mercurial as quicksilver” (Simon Jones/fRoots), and it is never quite so apparent as in his work with the various Gigspanner line-ups. In the wake of his departure from Steeleye Span, Peter turned his full attention to the Gigspanner Trio and established their reputation as one of the most genuinely ground-breaking forces on the British folk scene, inspiring Maverick magazine to write "Gigspanner are pushing at the boundaries, and in the process are making some of the most beautiful music the genre has to offer" 5 Maverick Magazine Described by Folk Radio UK as one of the “most quietly brilliant sets of musicians in the folk world and beyond”, they take self-penned material along with music rooted in the British Isles and beyond, and with the flick of a bow, a finely chosen chord or slip of a beat, produce richly atmospheric arrangements “with notes seemingly plucked from the stars and rhythms from the equator” (Spiral Earth).

Featuring a cast of West End singers and a live band, join us for a ‘Landslide’ concert, jam packed with Fleetwood Mac hits as you have never heard them before! This incredible show will feature best loved songs including ‘Little Lies’, ‘The Chain’, ‘Rhiannon’, ‘Don’t Stop’ and many more, performed by Candlelight. So ‘Go Your Own Way’ and book your tickets now as this really is the concert of ‘Dreams’!

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring like never seen before. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Christmas Classics under the gentle glow of candlelight.

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring like never seen before. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Leonard Cohen under the gentle glow of candlelight.

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring like never seen before. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Christmas Movie Soundtracks under the gentle glow of candlelight. Seating is assigned on a first come first served basis in each zone. If you would like to book a private concert or buy regular tickets for a large group (. 30 people). To treat your friends and family to a Candlelight gift card Programme All I Want for Christmas Is You from Love Actually Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas from Meet Me in St. Louis Christmas Time Is Here and Skating from A Charlie Brown Christmas White Christmas from Holiday Inn You're a Mean One Mr. Grinch from How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Silver Bells from The Lemon Drop Kid Winter Wonderland and Let It Snow! Let It Snow! from While You Were Sleeping The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late) from Alvin and the Chipmunks Carol of the Bells from Home Alone Jingle Bell Rock from Jingle All the Way The Nightmare Before Christmas Medley Where Are You Christmas? from Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas I Believe in You and Me from The Preacher's Wife Believe from The Polar Express Performers String Quartet - Ensemble M

There has been historic links between the Guildhall and St. Martins Church since around 1350. The religious Guild of Corpus Christi had their altar in the great south aisle in St. Martins. The Town Library was moved from St. Martins to the Chantry Priests Rooms in 1632 in the Guildhall. There are connections with the English Civil War and the Siege of Leicester, to name but a few. On this tour we will be particularly concentrating on members of the Herrick Family - Robert Heyricke - the Alderman and Mayor of Leicester, and Sir William Herrick. The tour will begin in the Cathedral and then continue in the Guildhall next door. This tour is part of the Leicestershire & Rutland Festival of Archaeology 2026. Free, ticketed event. Please note the tour begins in Leicester Cathedral and then moves across to the Guildhall.

Celebrate 403 years of Shakespeare's First Folio with a free guided tour like no other. Join us at the historic Guildhall for a captivating journey through time, where the world of William Shakespeare comes vividly to life. This special anniversary event invites you to explore the rich and surprising connections between Shakespeare and Leicester-stories that blur the line between legend and legacy. Wander through the atmospheric hall as our tour guide, Julie, reveals how Shaspeare is linked to Leicester Guildhall, uncovering the city's hidden role in shaping some of his greatest works. Discover how echoes of Leicester can be found within the drama, intrigue, and characters of his plays. But the story doesn't end there... Hear the fascinating tale of the legendary King Lear and the enduring mystery of his supposed burial. Fact or folklore? You decide. Whether you're a lifelong Shakespeare enthusiast or simply curious, this unique tour promises an unforgettable encounter with one of the greatest storytellers of all time. Step into the story. Discover the connections. Celebrate the legacy.

The journey from sceptic to parapsychologist – and how he perhaps got that journey wrong! Join parapsychologist and lecturer Malcolm Schofield as he explores his personal relationship with the paranormal, and the journey from sceptic to parapsychologist – and how he perhaps got that journey wrong! During the talk, Malcolm will cover some of his research into paranormal beliefs and experience, and the people he has met along the way. He’ll also be talking about some of his favourite paranormal phenomena and cases, such as thoughtographer Ted Serios, Borley Rectory, and of course, Mothman. Malcolm will cover public perceptions of the paranormal, and what that has meant for his career as a lecturer in psychology, and his position on the Council of the Society for Psychical Research and work on their Spontaneous Cases Committee.

Craft event, inspired by some of Shakespeare's famous characters. Shakespeare's plays were performed at Leicester Guildhall. Now bring the kids to join in our craft event, inspired by some of Shakespeare's famous characters. Make a donkey ears hat, a fairy wand and bear game, and find the pictures in our Shakespeare plays trail around the museum. Pre-booking recommended.

Henry VIII’s birthday feast is not simply an event, it is an immersion into British History. From the moment guests arrive, the modern world begins to fall away. Candlelight flickers, voices soften into anticipation, and the atmosphere thickens with a sense of stepping into another age. Then he enters. The King commands the room without effort. Every glance, every word, every measured movement reminds you that this is not a performance you observe, but a court you are now part of. As the evening unfolds, the boundaries between audience and history dissolve. Laughter rises, alliances form, whispers of intrigue ripple through the tables. Music weaves through the air, rich and evocative, while a lavish spread is laid before you in true Tudor fashion. You do not simply eat, you partake. You do not merely watch, you belong. There is a grandeur to it, yes, but also an intimacy. You may find yourself addressed by the King, drawn into his confidence, or caught in the sharp edge of his wit. The experience lives in those moments, unexpected, unscripted, and entirely alive. By the end, something lingers. A sense that you have not just attended a feast, but briefly lived within a different world. And when you leave, the echo of it follows you, the feeling that for a few hours, history was not something remembered, but something felt.

The Guildhall and the Cathedral Church of St. Martin by Irene Turlington There has been historic links between the Guildhall and St. Martins Church since around 1350. The religious Guild of Corpus Christi had their altar in the great south aisle in St. Martins. The Town Library was moved from St. Martins to the Chantry Priests Rooms in 1632 in the Guildhall. There are connections with the English Civil War and the Siege of Leicester, to name but a few. On this tour we will be particularly concentrating on members of the Herrick Family - Robert Heyricke - the Alderman and Mayor of Leicester, and Sir William Herrick. The tour will begin in the Cathedral and then continue in the Guildhall next door. This tour is part of the Leicestershire & Rutland Festival of Archaeology 2026.

Craft event, inspired by some of Shakespeare's famous characters. Shakespeare's plays were performed at Leicester Guildhall. Now bring the kids to join in our craft event, inspired by some of Shakespeare's famous characters. Make a donkey ears hat, a fairy wand and bear game, and find the pictures in our Shakespeare plays trail around the museum.

Archaeological excavations at Leicester Market have uncovered over 2,000 years of history. Site Director Joseph Peters will present key discoveries from the excavation, ranging from a 4th‑century Roman coin hoard to evidence of the market’s first medieval covered building, dating to the 15th century.

“The most merciful thing in the world, I think, is the inability of the human mind to correlate its contents….” To mark the 100th anniversary of the publication of Lovecraft’s seminal tale, performance storyteller Robert Lloyd Parry offers this dramatized reading, an early step in what is intended to become a more ambitious theatrical treatment.

Free Family Fun Day! Come meet our local PCSO's at Leicester Guildhall. Explore the history of Leicester's first police headquarters, try out our Victorian prison cells, put mum and dad in the stocks, play dress up and enjoy solving our mystery trail around the museum. Drop-in Session.

Dare you step through the mists of the cauldron of time? In the 17th and 18th centuries, the Witches of Leicester were tortured and executed, but what was the truth? Join professional mind-reader and historical witchcraft expert, Cara Hamilton for a night you’ll not forget. Cara has presented the tale of our local Witchcraft across the UK, Europe and North America. See practical demonstrations and enthralling performances that will whisk you back to the era when the fear of witchcraft gripped the nation. Witness experiments such as putting pins in clay effigies, the scrying bowl and the black mirror. See genuine witch bottles and relics from Cara's own dark museum. Discover the shocking acts of necromancers, and explore the beliefs and folklore of the time. If witchcraft intrigues you, don’t miss this event!

A gathering is stirring in the heart of this historic city—within a beautiful, renowned, and reputedly haunted venue.Join us for a day of learning, wisdom-sharing, connection, conjuring, and discovery. We return this year to the Guildhall, Leicester, in the heart of historic and spiritual Leicester. We bring more magic, more spectacular traders, readers, and therapists, and witches sharing their wisdom through magical rituals and ceremonies. Wander through the courtyard and atmospheric rooms of the Guildhall, and visit the cells where accused witches were once held. We will host workshops in the haunted library. Explore a curated marketplace filled with handcrafted witchy wares, ritual tools, spell ingredients, art, books, and more from local and national makers. Throughout the day, be inspired by renowned guest speakers, take part in immersive workshops on craft, ritual, folklore, and magic, and connect deeply during our communal rituals held on sacred ground steeped in centuries of story. Whether you walk the witch’s path, are curious about the craft, or simply wish to experience something otherworldly, this is a festival where all are welcome.

"Put it down, you fool! Do you want to look through a dead man’s eyes?” Two chilling and thrilling tales from M R James, the master of the English ghost story. In A View from a Hill a pair of old binoculars reveal the grisly history of an idyllic stretch of English landscape. In The Treasure of Abbot Thomas a treasure-seeker comes face to face with unspeakable horror at the bottom of ancient well. Dead Men’s Eyes is the sixth instalment of Nunkie’s M R James Project, a series of one-man shows that seek to revive the tradition of oral, supernatural storytelling that was perfected by Montague Rhodes James in Cambridge in the years leading up to World War One.

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before. - Let it Snow - Christmas Song - The Maestro - Hans Zimmer - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Frank Sinatra - Winter Wonderland - Last Christmas - Wham - The Christmas Waltz - Frank Sinatra - The Little Drummer Boy - Sleigh Ride - Jingle Bells - White Christmas - I'll Be Home for Christmas - It's Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas - Glasgow Theme - Rocking Around the Christmas Tree - Love is All Around - Let it Go (Frozen) Performers String quartet: Lakeland String Quartet

Leicester Guildhall is a historic building and the oldest building still in use in the city. The Great Hall was built in about 1390 as a meeting place for the Guild of Corpus Christi. It is believed that Shakespeare performed here during Tudor times. Over the years it has had many uses, including housing one of the oldest public libraries and serving as the Town Hall. After restoration, the Guildhall was opened to the public as a museum in 1926. Leicester is privileged to have one of the best-preserved timber framed halls in the country dating back 600 years. This is your opportunity to come and find out more regarding this unique and beautiful building with a free guided tour. Free event. Advance booking recommended.

Leicester Guildhall is a historic building and the oldest building still in use in the city. The Great Hall was built in about 1390 as a meeting place for the Guild of Corpus Christi. It is believed that Shakespeare performed here during Tudor times. Over the years it has had many uses, including housing one of the oldest public libraries and serving as the Town Hall. After restoration, the Guildhall was opened to the public as a museum in 1926. Leicester is privileged to have one of the best-preserved timber framed halls in the country dating back 600 years. This is your opportunity to come and find out more regarding this unique and beautiful building with a free guided tour.

Exploring Myths of the Titanic and an exclusive book signing. Many aspects of Titanic's history are misunderstood. Errors are often repeated from one book or television programme to another. Mark discusses a few common beliefs about the ship, focusing on the importance of going back to the primary sources. Whether you already know a lot about the Titanic or not, there is something for you. He has authored many critically acclaimed books, including Olympic, Titanic & Britannic An Illustrated History of the ‘Olympic’ Class Ships (2012).

The annual Govannen Guildhall concert is always special – for the band and for the audience. For more than 30 years, the band has grown to become one of the most popular Celtic bands around, releasing 9 albums. Featuring 2 fiddles, Irish whistles, bodhran, guitar, mandolin, keyboards and 4 strong singers, they play new and traditional songs and tunes. Plus a good helping of good humour, which ensures a great night.

Mary Shelley's Gothic horror performed by Don't Go Into the Cellar! In this original and faithful adaptation of Mary Shelley's perennial Gothic horror, award-winning actor and writer Jonathan Goodwin plays a host of characters, including both Victor Frankenstein and his monstrous creation. Dramatic macabre storytelling at its atmospheric best!

“Mr Holmes, they were the footprints of a gigantic hound!” In this original one-man stage adaptation, award-winning actor Jonathan Goodwin plays Sherlock Holmes and a host of other characters. Based on the world-famous novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, expect atmospheric drama at its very best with this superb Victorian gothic thriller!

Join us for a beautiful sea glass framed art workshop where you will have the opportunity to work with a range of materials and resources that have been hand collected from the UK shoreline. Discover how what was once classed as rubbish can create something beautiful which you can either gift to someone special or keep for yourself. An ideal way to spend a couple of hours with friends or if you come alone you are guaranteed to make new ones! No artistic experience required.

Fancy something different on your tree this Christmas? Wondering what you could make for family or friends as a unique gift? Why not come along to our festive sea glass workshop where you will have the opportunity to create some individual Christmas baubles on slices of wood with sea glass characters. You may choose to make robins, snowmen, angels and Christmas puddings – there will be a range of choices and you should have time to make at least 4 alongside some bespoke cards if you wish. Come along and spend 2 hours of mindful crafting and laughter Adults Aged 12 and under

Marking 50-years of archaeological surveying! Join archaeologist Peter Liddle to mark 50-years of archaeological survey by the Leicestershire Fieldworkers and how this has helped to transform our understanding of local archaeology.

Marking 100 years after being declared open as a museum! We will look at the life of the Guildhall: how it all began and what happened to it over the years, and its life today. Building began in 1343 and the great hall is reputed to have been completed in 1390. Further wings were added over the next 100 years. However, in 1876 the corporation met at the Guildhall for the last time, a new Town Hall had been built! The Guildhall was in a state of disrepair. The Leicestershire Archaeological and Historical Society petitioned the council to save the building and in 1922 a restoration programme began. On 19th May 1926 – after the restoration the Guildhall was declared open as a museum. The council committee agreed that the museum and library committee should take over the future control of the building. The most significant building in Leicester is delighted to be celebrating 100 years open as a museum! This is your opportunity to come and find out more regarding this unique and beautiful building with a free guided tour. Image: Guildhall Courtyard by Mary Annie Sloane.

A unique glimpse into Leicester's first Police Force. Join Mark Collins, one of our wonderful tour guides for a special and unique look at the history of Leicester's oldest medieval building from when it was home to Leicester’s first Police Force. This tour will concentrate upon the theme of ‘Crime and Punishment’. Find out about the unsavoury characters who have passed through its historic doors.