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13 days out in Leicester that don’t cost the earth

After a hard day of study at Â鶹´«Ã½, sometimes you just want some down time that doesn’t involve going to Lidl or meeting your mates in the pub. So here’s a list of 13 other ways to spend a day or night of socialising in Leicester. They’re all activities that are cheaper than a round of drinks too. Unless you also buy a round of drinks of course.

 

With six interactive galleries, the UK’s largest planetarium, and the iconic 42m-high Rocket Tower (containing real rockets), the award-winning National Space Centre really is an out of this world experience. If you want to know anything about our place in the universe, this is where to come. As well as interactive attractions there are themed events throughout the year, from comedy and Dr Who to astronaut meets and discussions on the latest discoveries. Students get in for £12.50 and can upgrade to an annual pass for year-round entry. 

Leicester has a fine pedigree when it comes to horse racing. The original Leicester Racecourse was established at Victoria Park in 1773 and moved to the current venue, just on the edge of the Leicester/Oadby boundary, in 1883. Head here for a real alternative day or night out. There’s flat racing every Saturday in September then jumps in October and around 30 races a year in total. Ladies Day in July is pretty legendary if you fancy getting dressed for the occasion. £15 entry for NUS on race days.

 

If you’re looking for a break from video games, ditch the screen and socialise around a real board game at the Bean Gaming café, bar and restaurant. Situated in Silver Street, Bean Gaming has a vast library of games to play, from the traditional Monopoly and Yahtzee to the more demanding adventures that have you saving empires or universes. Helpful staff can bring you drinks and get you started on easy to super complicated role players. Table hire is £2 per person per hour to a maximum charge of £5.

 

Did you know Sir Richard Attenborough, brother of David, son of Leicester, Oscar-winning director and star of Jurassic Park, donated his incredible collection of Picasso ceramics to the city? And that they are on display at the Leicester Museum and Art Gallery? That’s not all. There are also real mummies and assorted tomb finds from Ancient Egypt as well as dinosaurs. The gallery boasts some incredible Victorian work as well as an impressive collection of German expressionist art. Well worth a day trip and it’s all FREE.

 

Inspired by ITV’s hit programme Ninja Warrior UK, you can climb, balance, jump and swing across different obstacles using and developing your Ninja skills. It even has the Warped Wall at the end of the course for you to conquer. Please note: Ben Shephard and Chris ‘Kammy’ Kamara are not included in the entry price.

 

Why not rock up (sorry, sorry) as a group to Social Climbing  - a vast space in East Bond Street (at the back of Highcross) full of all sorts of climbing walls for you to scramble up and down. Entry is £9 for an hour. If you are a beginner there are induction classes for an additional £3 to get you acclimatised to conquering the various rock faces. The induction lasts for an hour and you can then climb freely for an hour after that too.

Leicester is blessed with a world-class theatre, created by a world-class architect, Rafael Vinoly, in the heart of the city’s Cultural Quarter. It offers a wide programme of world premieres, classic plays, comedy, musical theatre and community productions. The best thing is that if you book early enough you can get seats to big box office shows for a tenner. This season includes Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, A Chorus Line, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe and a five-night run from master illusionist Derren Brown.

So there was this beautiful, but redundant, old railway station in Leicester that needed a new lease of life. Roll up Lane 7 which has transformed the wonderful Great Central building into the city’s gaming capital, with beer and food on top. Multi-storey ten pin bowling – check. Retro arcade games – check. Ping pong – check. Beer pong – check. Shuffleboard – check. American pool – check. Street food – check. Cocktails – check. What’s not to like – errr, check? NUS bowling sessions are seven quid. See you there.

Skate Parlour is Leicester's only indoor skatepark. It’s aim is to provide a safe, secure, and sheltered space for people of all walks of life to come and skateboard. And adopt all that’s great about skate culture. There’s women-only skate nights and BMX nights too. £6 for a session. Monthly season tickets also available.

As founders Mama Skate say: “We are not just a skatepark. Skate Parlour aims to bring marginalised groups closer, and diversify the sport focusing on race and gender issues, as well as other barriers to the sport that have been found throughout recent years.

“With the work of Mama Skate, we hope to become a hub of skateboarding, art, culture, and social causes, which often goes hand in hand with the sport”. What you waiting for? Go skate. in hand with the sport

Rileys

Talking of pool, Rileys Leicester is conveniently situated exactly one minute’s walk from the edge of the Â鶹´«Ã½ campus. There’s more potting going on here than at the Chelsea Flower Show. Open from 12pm to 10pm every day it boasts snooker, American pool and English pool tables as well as a darts alley and multiple screens showing the sport. It’s a good place to catch Leicester City games.

 

To really feel at home in Leicester you’ve got to know a bit of your city history. This visitor centre will cover more than 500 years in one visit. Here you will hear the incredible tale of how the remains of Richard III  - the last king to die in battle, up the road in Bosworth -  were discovered beneath a city centre car park more than 500 years after his death. The story of how years of determined detective work by historian Phillipa Langley led to this amazing find is currently being made into a film. Oh. And while you’re in the vicinity pop over to Leicester Cathedral and see the King’s final resting place.

Indoor crazy golf x 2

There’s not one but two big indoor crazy golf centres in Leicester. There’s at The Highcross which boasts two 18-hole courses. Tropical Trail has you contending with caves and chattering toucans while the Ancient Explorer takes you through temples and mountains. Then on East Street, near the train station, there is   which includes holes based around graffitied toilets, cars, motorbikes and a…erm… donkey. It promises something original for you and your fellow putters - and offers 50% off for students Sunday morning to Thursday night.

 

We KNOW there are other cinema’s available, but the Phoenix has been a much-loved Leicester institution for the past 30 years, showing the best of arthouse films seven days a week as well as your meaty blockbusters and worthy Oscar-winners. Best of all, it’s only £5 for students to see the latest cinema at a truly independent picture house. That means you can watch more on a budget. There’s also a lovely café/bar to chill out in before or after the film, as well as art installations. Thank us later.