Learn more about History and Heritage

Walking in their footsteps

Many famous people have lived and visited North West Leicestershire in the past.

Artists such as Constable and Turner, poets like Wordsworth and Coleridge, and the novelist Sir Walter Scott have all been inspired by the area.

Walk along the incline at Swannington on a summer Sunday and you`ll find there is much evidence of the mining history. Industrial entrepreneurs such as Robert Stephenson and Joseph Wilkes have also left their mark. You can find out more all year round at Coalville`s Snibston Museum or Moira Furnace. An Industrial Heritage Trail leaflet is available from Ashby Tourist Information Centre or find out more online  The Trail covers North West Leicestershire and neighbouring South Derbyshire.

Ashby Castle

 

Sir Walter Scott was inspired to use Ashby Castle as the setting for the jousting in his book 'Ivanhoe' and there are regular historical re-enactments and occasional open air theatre. Ashby Castle is now owned by English Heritage and a light hearted audio tour is available with your entrance ticket.

 

Breedon on the Hill Church The Parish Church of St Mary and St Hardulph stands on the summit of the hill, and can be seen for miles around including the A42.  Robert de Ferrers founded an Augustinian Priory on the site in the 12th century, when this was dissolved by Henry VIII, the Shirley family from Staunton Harold retained the Tower and Chancel of the Priory Church as the Parish Church. The most notable remnants of the earlier monastery site are thirty fragments of 8th century Saxon sculpture depicting birds, foliage, animals and small human figures. The most memorable of all is a beautiful figure of an angel with flowers at its feet, robes and a rounded face.   A reproduction of the angel is available for all to view within the Church. Also of interest are 18th century pews,pulpit and gallery.

 

Grace Dieu Priory, Thringstone Loughborough Road Thringstone LE67 8LS Renowned as one of the most haunted places in Leicestershire, the Grace Dieu Priory was founded over 700 years ago by Lady Roesia de Verdun, who now lies in Belton church.300 years later it suffered at the hands of Henry VIII during the reformation. It was given to John Beaumont of Thringstone. The Beaumonts built their own Tudor Manor at Grace Dieu. Park your car in the Bulls Head on the A512 and walk through the shady woodland trail to a picturesque ruined priory and picnic in the grounds. A regular programme of guided walks is available. If you come at dusk it gets quite spooky. You have been warned, (regular ghost walks arranged).

Moira Furnace

Furnace Lane

Moira

DE12 6AT

Operated by Moira Furnace Museum Trust. An impressive iron-making blast furnace built by the Earl of Moira in 1804. Fully restored and houses a new industrial history exhibition. The site also features lime kilns, a woodland, a group of small craft workshops, tearoom and a section of the restored Ashby Canal. Tel: 01283 224667 / 07976 637858

 

Mount St Bernard's Abbey, Whitwick

Oaks Road
Coalville
Leicestershire
LE67 5UL

Tel: 01530 832298

Set in a beautiful elevated position in Charnwood Forest, Mount St Bernard's Abbey was the first Catholic Abbey to be founded in this country after the Reformation. This is a Cistercian Monastery of white monks founded in 1835 as a continuation of Garendon Abbey (1133-1538). Includes gardens, high calvary, shop and Abbey Church. Opening times: Abbey - All year Daily. Shop Monday - Saturday 11am - 12noon and 2.30-5pm. Admission free. Disabled visitors: Most areas accessible except calvary, specially adapted toilets.

  

Joseph Wilkes at Measham and Moira Joseph Wilkes was born in Overseal in Derbyshire and is remembered as being based at Measham and involved in brick manufacture. The production of 'Wilkes’ Gobs,' bricks cast twice the normal size was an effort to reduce the tax payable. Buildings in Measham can still been seen on the High Street built with these bricks. Canal investment gave Wilkes the vision to see the value of a new route that would be called the Ashby Canal. Joseph also opened the first country bank outside Leicester, and he was also involved in iron works, boiler works, tan yards and a boat yard. Guided walks, tours and the newly opened Measham Museum  You can enjoy a pleasant walk or a canal boat ride on the "Joseph Wilkes"along the newly restored section of the Ashby Canal. Park your car at Moira Furnace where there are craft shops, toilets, and a tea shop.

Lock Ups also known as Roundhouses

 Lock Ups in North West Leicestershire can be found at  

                                                         Worthington             Breedon on the hill        Packington                       

                             

                                                      

The village Lock up was probably built in the 18th century and was used as a place of detention for local rogues and miscreants until they could be dealt with. Evidence suggests that locally the most probable use was for the confinement of drunks who were usually released the next day. Our neighbouring county of South Derbyshire also has 2 roundhouses in Smisby and Ticknall.

Overseale House, near Moira

Built by Joseph Wilkes, Overseale House still retains many period features. You can enjoy 4 star bed and breakfast in this Georgian grade two listed building with large gardens and helicopter parking.

Museums and Heritage Centres

Our volunteers are passionate people and they’re so proud of their centres. They’ve restored, renovated and revamped quirky old buildings, and designed beautiful interpretive displays. You’ll get a warm welcome from these really nice places where you’ll discover fascinating facts about the area. If you’re researching family history, our archives are just waiting to share their secrets, and the staff are nice and helpful.

 

Ashby Museum

North Street
Ashby de la Zouch
LE65 1HU

Tel: 01530 560090
Web: www.ashbydelazouchmuseum.org.uk

Established in 1982 this award winning museum shares the old school building with the Library and Tourist Information Centre. In 2007 and 2010, the museum won Museum of the Year in Leicestershire. It works closely with the county Museum Service and other independent museums in the area, sharing expertise and artefacts.

They excel in their family history resource and the energetic team of volunteers work closely with visitors, pre-booked groups and local schools to provide fascinating talks and events.

On 12th October 2011 the museum were presented with the coronation robes worn by the 16th Earl of Huntingdon

Opening Times: Open Daily 11am – 1pm and 2pm – 4pm
Admission: TBC
Disabled access: Yes

Castle Donington Museum

Apiary Gate
Castle Donington
DE74 2JA

Tel: 01332 812711
Web: www.castledoningtonmuseum.org.uk

Housed in a listed 17th Century house in the centre of this historic village, the museum mounts a new exhibition each year illustrating the life, work and leisure of the local villages over the years.

Opening times: Easter Sunday to last Sunday in September. Every Saturday, 9.30am – 12 noon, Sunday 2pm - 4.30pm and all Bank Holiday Mondays 2-4.30pm (Please check before your visit)

Admission: Free but donations appreciated.
Disabled Access: Yes

Coleorton Heritage Group www.coleorton.org.uk email heritagewarden@coleorton.org.uk John MacDonald one of Coleorton's heritage wardens has completed the transcription of the 1881 census records for Coleorton. This involves reading and deciphering the handwritten pages from the original census folios and typing the data into a format that is electronically searchable. He has now transcribed the 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871 and 1881 census folios.

Diseworth Heritage Centre

Lady Gate                                                                                                  
Diseworth                                                                                   
Derbyshire                                                                                                                          
DE74 2QF                                                                                     

Tel: 0778 5393578

www.diseworthcentre.org

A grade 2 listed former Baptist chapel, totally restored. A mix of heritage exhibitions and modern facilities for family history research. The Main hall houses a small museum of artefacts, pictures and memorabilia. Exhibitions will take place throughout the year reflecting life in Long Whatton and Diseworth in the past. This is intended to spark the interest of visitors, especially children, and lead on to further study of the history of the local community.

The main meeting room area can accommodate up to 48 people, with kitchen for your own use. All ground floor facilities including toilets affording disabled access.

Donington le Heath Manor House

Manor Road
Donington le Heath
near Coalville
LE67 2FW

Tel: 01530 831259
Web: www.leics.gov.uk/museums

The Manor House, built about 1280, is one of the few domestic buildings of the 13th Century to survive more or less intact. The house has a fascinating history and is now restored in the Tudor and Stuart period style with fine oak furnishings. The surrounding grounds include period flower and herb gardens. The Barn houses an excellent Tea Room. Lively special events and exhibitions throughout the year.

Opening times: March - November Daily 11.00am-4pm, December - February Weekends only 11.00am-4pm.
Admission: Free
Disabled access: Access to ground floor of house and tea rooms, virtual tour of upstairs rooms available, specially adapted toilets, guide dogs permitted.

Hough Windmill

Off St George's Hill
Swannington
Coalville
Leicestershire
LE67 8QU

Tel: 01530 832704
Web: www.swannington-heritage.co.uk

A partially restored brick windmill - no sails or fantail, which contains two pairs of millstones and associated stone floor machinery, mill related artefacts, exhibits and graphic materials. There is a new annexe building with changing display of pictures, which adjoins attractive, trust owned, common land with nature trail and picnic area.

Coach parking nearby.

Opening times: Sundays 2-5pm from April-September. Other times by arrangement
Admission: Free - donations appreciated
Disabled access: Access to windmill ground floor only and specially adapted toilets.

Kegworth Museum

52 High Street
Kegworth
DE74 2DA

Tel: 01509 670137
Web: www.kegworthmuseum.org.uk

The museum is housed in a restored mid-19th Century barn. The displays include: A Victorian parlour, a saddlers, a local school, knitting industry, Royal British Legion war memorabilia, some Roman finds from North West Leicestershire and a Victorian Garden.

Family and Local History enquiries are welcome. We undertake searches in our collection of artefacts and 3000 photographs (photographs may be reproduced for a small fee). The museum also offer talks, visits or guided walks. Group visits can be catered for with refreshments by arrangement

Opening Times: Easter to September, Sun, Wed and B/H, 2.00pm - 5.00pm
Admission: Adults £1, Concessions 50p
Disabled visitors: Ground floor access only and specially adapted toilets.

Measham Museum The Measham Station Off Mannings Terrace                                                                 High Street Measham DE12 7HU Web:www.meashammuseum.btck.co.uk

A newly refurbished building opened in the summer 2009 on the site of Measham Station. Central to the museum is the Dr Hart collection, a treasury of artifacts, pictures, letters and documents recording the history of a Midland village through the eyes of two local doctors - father and son- over nearly a century.

Also a collection of Measham Ware,which is traditionally associated with the canal people and dates from the last quarter of the 19th century. All kinds of table ware were made in the characteristic dark brown glaze, covered in shiny sprigs of flowers and birds.

Education packs available for schools

Group visits on request.

Opening Times: Tuesdays 10am - 12noon and 2pm - 4pm,    Thursdays  2pm - 4pm                       

                           Saturdays 10am - 2pm and 2pm - 4pm.

Admission:   £1, children admitted free when accompanied by an adult

Disabled Visitors:  Museum is all on ground floor level.
Tel: TBC

Swannington Heritage Trust Registered Office 30 Broughton Street Coalville LE67 3SE Tel:01530 222330 or 01530 832704 www.swannington-heritage.co.uk The Trust was formed in 1984 and aims to acquire, maintain and preserve sites of industrial and environmental interest in and around the village of Swannington for the benefit of the present and future generations and to provide facilities for the study and research of the village's history and archaeology. Including : Hough Windmill -an early 19th century tower windmill The Gorse Field - site of a medieval coalfiled Califat Spinney - site of a 19th century coalmine Swannington Incline - the terminal length of the Leicester & Swannington Railway of 1832 Site of Snibston No.3 Colliery

 

The Sir John Moore Foundation Heritage Centre

Top Street
Appleby Magna
Derbyshire
DE12 7AH

Tel: 01530 273629
Web: www.sirjohnmoore.org.uk

This Award winning Heritage Centre in a Grade 1 listed building recreates life in the Sir John Moore School in Victorian times. Discover the village boys’ classroom, Headmaster’s study, dormitory and clock room. All are set in 1891 with breathtaking attention to detail, hands on displays and authentic sounds.
You can also explore Appleby’s story in the Community Gallery created by local volunteers.
The Heritage Centre comes to life at night with music and entertainment in the intimate and informal atmosphere of their Cellar Bar.

Coalville Heritage Society

C/o The Sectretary 

125 Highfield Street

Coalville

LE67 3BR

Web www.coalville-heritage.info

Formerly the Coalville Local History Group and the Coalville 150 group. Programme of talks and visitis related to local history and promoting heritage through extensive photo archive

Whitwick Historical Group

The Old Station Building
North Street
Whitwick
LE67 5HA

Tel:01530 556793

Web:www.whitwickhistoricalgroup.org.uk

A warm welcome awaits you at Whitwick Historical Group on Tuesday Evenings 7pm -9pm and Saturday Mornings 10am - 12noon. Displays of local memorabilia, albums containing photographs of Whitwick places and people. Archive of Mining related books. Many local census returns. Local publications also available.