The Leicester Student Guide: Leicester City Centre

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About the author: Hi! My name is Kayleigh Graves, and I am a Journalism and Creative Writing student at the University of Leicester. I spend most of my time out running, watching women’s football, trying to plan my next concert without breaking the bank and questioning how I will make it through my ever-growing tower of books.

Leicester’s city centre is at the heart of the city, offering an array of amenities and an unbeatable nightlife scene alongside great options for student accommodation.

If you are looking to live within the city’s central area or perhaps just curious to see what's around here, this guide covers the need-to-know elements of Leicester’s city centre.

Leicester city centre location

Leicester’s city centre is a great spot for all. No matter if you’re a Leicester local, a visitor, or a De Montfort or University of Leicester student, the city centre is convenient in a multitude of ways.

For example, De Montfort’s campus is roughly a 10-minute walk from the heart of the town centre, making it more than ideal for DMU students to visit or call home. And as for all the University of Leicester students, you’re just a short and scenic 20-minute walk up the New Walk promenade to campus.

For those wanting to go further afield, the city centre has great transport links right on its doorstep. The train station and two bus stations make public transport in and out of Leicester super easy and accessible. You can get to London in just over an hour, and other major cities, like Birmingham, in less than an hour.

Even better, National Express coach services run to and from St Margaret's Bus Station, creating an easy way to travel long distances. Plus, it can often work out extremely affordable with the help of a cheeky UniDays student discount!

Amenities

Leicester’s city centre has everything you could possibly need, all within arm's reach from the famous Clock Tower. It truly is the ultimate convenient spot, no matter what you’re looking for.

The centre is home to Highcross Shopping Centre, which houses all the big brands. The Lanes has an array of independent shops, and the centre is a rough 15-minute walk to St George’s Shopping Park, which has a trusty Aldi amongst other popular retailers.

Shops aside, there are hairdressers and pharmacies dotted everywhere in town, as well as multiple 24-hour gyms, parks to run in, and pretty much anything else you could need close by.

Food and drink options

Leicester is a real foodie’s paradise: you are spoilt for choice and diversity of food and drink spots across the city.

​From takeaways to breakfast eateries like the gorgeous Kai, to incredible coffee spots such as &KITH, there is truly so much choice in the city centre. You, of course, still have traditional high street food spots available, but Leicester also boasts independent cafés that are often affordable.

​Check out our guide to cheap places to eat in Leicester for more information on how you can save your money whilst exploring the culinary scene here.

Nightlife

The city centre is at the very heart of Leicester’s nightlife. Whether you prefer a casual drink at a pub, want to get stuck into Freshers’ Week, or enjoy clubbing with friends, the city centre has something for everyone.

There are buzzing cocktail bars such as Bunk and Little Sister, popular clubs like Mosh and Walkabout, as well as plenty of pubs that offer endless alcoholic and non-alcoholic options. Whether you’re a karaoke star or a trivia buff, the local pub scene has plenty of weekly events that make for an easy, entertaining night out.

Firebug is always a popular spot for quizzes, with nights being just £1 entry per person. They also offer cooked food to order, Mario Kart available to play, and a free upstairs club room to extend the night if you fancy. Don’t forget - Firebug runs a Happy Hour with solid drink deals, making a night out in the city a lot easier on your wallet. Pint, anyone?

Student housing in Leicester city centre

The city centre is brilliant for its central location between both universities and the accessible surrounding areas. As well as this, the area quickly becomes even more appealing for students due to the variety of accommodation on offer all across the city centre.

Here, you can find private student accommodation varying from studio apartments to individual rooms and options for dual tenancy to suit the needs of all those wanting to live in accommodation buildings. There are also plenty of houses available surrounding the city centre for both pairs and larger groups of up to six wanting to live together.

Despite Leicester's city centre having high student demand from both universities, the prices for student accommodation are still relatively affordable. Four-bed properties are the most widely available in the heart of Leicester, typically starting from as little as £101 per week per person. These four-bedroom homes come with bills included, making it easier than ever to enjoy city-centre convenience without the stress of extra costs.

Find student accommodation in central Leicester

Leicester’s city centre is more than just a convenient place to shop and visit - it can become a home to students from all over Leicester. Next time you’re close, pop by and see for yourself why the city centre is such a hit.

Ready to find your perfect student house in Leicester? At UniHomes, we list properties across the city centre, all with bills included. If you want somewhere further out of the centre, browse properties in Clarendon Park and Westcotes.

Our UniHomes Content Ambassadors are current students across the UK who share tips about student life in their city to help you make the most of your time at uni. If you're interested in writing for our programme, click here for more details.

Whilst you’re out having fun in your new uni city, remember that UniHomes promotes responsible drinking, and any alcohol products featured within this article are for ages 18+.

The views and opinions expressed in these blogs are those of the UniHomes Content Ambassadors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of UniHomes. UniHomes accepts no liability for the content of these Student Blogs.