During our recent visit to National Space Centre in Leicester we decided to visit the King Richard 111 visitor attraction in Leicester due to its high ranking on Trip Advisor. This was also one of the attractions offered on stayplayexplore package.
We were glad we made the decision to visit, it was a fantastic day that was engaging and educational. The museum is modern, very well set out, interactive and informative and doesn’t take hours to visit. We spent about an hour, it covers two floors.
Both my children had just covered castles in their last term of school and it was interesting for them to learn more on medieval history.
There is the historical background to the war of the roses and Richard III on the ground floor ground floor showing Richard’s life, from a young boy to his death while King.
There was lots of detail to read and brought to life with back projection displays which made learning about history much more interesting for the girls.
As you walk through the exhibition you learn about the battle of Bosworth where there were lots of exhibits on display to keep us all engaged and interested in the story.
The upper floor is very interesting and concerns the archaeological search for him the DNA analysis involved to confirm the bones belonged to Richard.
There is a section for children to carry out a mock dig using trowels and magnetic particles covering bones which was fun and educational for the girls to carry out.
There was a 3d print out of Kind Richards spine and a 3d recreation of his skeleton found at the remains.
At the last part of the exhibition there was the area at the grave site where Richard 111 was found (underneath the Social Services Car park! It is particularly interesting and really well done.
There is a hologram of him here now and you can look at the archaeological site through a glass floor. This area was really well done and we were really impressed.
There is a lift for people with mobility issues, toilet facilities, cafe and the building is kept very clean. The staff were friendly and engaged well with children.
There was a section to try writing your name in calligraphy and a souvenir to take home. The exhibition itself is fascinating and presented in a way which engages all ages.
The only drawback was that I couldn’t park very close. We parked in the new Highcross shopping centre in the centre of Leicester. We managed to find an information desk within the shopping centre who kindly provided us with a map and directions to the attraction.
It was easy enough to find, opposite the Cathedral where King Richard 111 is now laid to rest with a rather grand looking tomb. There is a statue of King Richard 111 outside the museum and Leicester Cathedral is beautiful and is also worth a visit too.
King Richard III Visitor Centre, St Martin’s Leicester, is open daily except Christmas day and New Year’s Day from 10am until 4pm Monday to Friday and from 10am until 5pm Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays.
Last admission is one hour and 20 mins before closing.
Tickets cost £7.95 for adults, £7 for senior citizens and students and £4.75 for children aged from five to 15, with family tickets and group rates.