The Bier House

Beer and Leicester go together like foot and boot. The Bier House, tucked away in the city centre, is a small museum dedicated to the brewing history that made this place what it is - and it's properly worth an hour of your time if you're into industrial heritage or just fancy understanding what built the East Midlands.

You're looking at the story of Victorian breweries, the machinery that drove them, and the local characters who ran the operations. The space itself is modest - it's not a grand affair - but that's part of its charm. You get a real sense of how brewing worked at scale, the chemicals involved, the labour required. If you've got interest in social history or industrial archaeology, you'll find plenty to chew over here.

Families with older kids will get something out of it, though younger ones might find it a bit dry unless they're already keen on how things work. It's the sort of place you'd pair with a walk around Leicester's medieval streets or a visit to King Richard III's visitor centre if you're making a proper day of the city.

If you're based at one of the nearby parks - Charnwood Acres is only 2.7 miles away - it makes for an easy rainy-day option. The Dandelion Hideaway glamping is similarly close if you're after something more upmarket. Check opening hours before you head over, as smaller museums can be a bit temperamental with their schedule.