Belgrave, Leicester facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Belgrave |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
 Belgrave
|
|
| Population | 11,558 |
| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | LEICESTER |
| Postcode district | LE4 |
| Dialling code | 0116 |
| Police | Leicestershire |
| Fire | Leicestershire |
| Ambulance | East Midlands |
| EU Parliament | East Midlands |
| UK Parliament |
|
Belgrave is a lively part of Leicester, a city in England. It's famous for some cool places like the National Space Centre, Space Park Leicester, the exciting Golden Mile, and the historic Belgrave Hall.
The oldest part of Belgrave, called Belgrave Village, is a special 'conservation area'. This means it's protected because of its history. Here you'll find Belgrave Hall, St Peter's Church, and The Talbot Inn, all near the River Soar.
Contents
Where is Belgrave Located?
Belgrave is surrounded by other areas of Leicester. To the north is Rushey Mead, to the south is Latimer, to the east is Charnwood, and to the west is Abbey.
What Does the Name Belgrave Mean?
Long ago, this place was called Merdegrave. This name came from old English words meaning 'marten' (a type of animal) and 'grove' (a small wood).
After the Normans arrived, people thought the first part of the name sounded like an old French word for 'dung'. So, they changed it to Belgrave, which means 'fair' or 'lovely' in old French. This made the name sound much nicer!
A Brief History of Belgrave
Belgrave is mentioned in the Domesday Book, a very old record from 1086. It shows that William the Conqueror gave this land to a person named Hugh de Grandmesnil. The land included a mill, meadows, and space for farming.
In the 1800s, Belgrave grew a lot with new houses built along the main roads. Today, this area is home to a large and lively Asian community. Many families have lived here since the early 1970s.
This area is also where you'll find the famous Golden Mile (Leicester). It's called this because of all the shops selling beautiful gold jewellery.
Businesses and Industry in Belgrave
Belgrave has been a hub for important businesses.
One major company was British United Shoe Machinery. For most of the 1900s, it was the world's largest maker of shoe-making machines. In the 1960s and 70s, it was the biggest employer in Leicester, with thousands of workers. They were known for their amazing inventions and new ideas.
Another important company, Parker Plant, started in Belgrave in 1911. They grew to employ over 1,400 people. They even won the special Queen's Award for Enterprise multiple times for their success.
Other well-known companies like Bostik and the Fred Perry clothing brand have also had a presence in Belgrave.
Who Lives in Belgrave?
Since the 1970s, Belgrave has become home to a large Asian population. Today, most residents are of Asian heritage.
In 2011, Belgrave had a population of 11,558 people. The average age was 36.
Many people in Belgrave were born in England (43%). Other large groups were born in India (28.4%), Kenya (5.6%), and Sri Lanka (3.2%).
The main language spoken is English (46.7%), but many also speak Gujarati (35.8%), Punjabi (4.3%), and Tamil (3.3%).
Belgrave is a place with many different religions. The largest groups are Hindu (54.6%), Christian (14.3%), and Muslim (14.1%).
Schools and Learning in Belgrave
Belgrave has several schools for different age groups:
Primary Schools
- Belgrave St Peter's Church of England Primary
- Mellor Community Primary
- Catherine Infants and Catherine Juniors
- St Patrick's Catholic Primary
- Abbey Primary
- Rushey Mead Primary
Secondary Schools
- Rushey Mead Academy: This school is known as one of the best state-funded secondary schools in Leicester.
- Soar Valley College
College
- Leicester College – Abbey Park Campus: This college offers many courses for older students.
Fun Places to Visit in Belgrave
Belgrave has many interesting spots for everyone to enjoy:
- Belgrave Hall: This beautiful 18th-century house was once owned by a famous businessman and politician, John Ellis. It's even known for some spooky stories! Today, it's used for events and its gardens are open to the public sometimes.
- The Belgrave Conservation Area: This special area includes Belgrave Hall, St Peter's Church, and The Talbot Inn. It's protected because of its historical importance.
- The Golden Mile: This famous street is full of Indian shops, especially those selling amazing gold jewellery, delicious food, and colourful sarees. It's the heart of the annual Diwali celebrations in Leicester, with thousands of lights switched on every year!
- The National Space Centre: This is a fantastic museum and learning centre all about space and astronomy. It has the biggest planetarium in the UK!
- Space Park Leicester: A new, huge centre for space-related research and technology. Scientists and companies work here on exciting space projects.
- Abbey Pumping Station: A museum dedicated to science and technology.
- Abbey Park: Leicester’s main park, with the River Soar flowing through it. It's a great place for a walk or picnic.
- The Peepul Centre: A modern building used for many different community events and activities.
- Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre: A sports centre right next to the River Soar, offering outdoor activities.
The River Soar
The River Soar flows along the western side of Belgrave, adding to its natural beauty.
Gallery
-
Belgrave Village with Belgrave Hall in the background
-
St Peter's Church, Belgrave
-
The River Soar in Belgrave with the National Space Centre in the background
-
The River Soar at Belgrave Lock
-
The Cobbled Agar Street
.jpg)
Getting Around Belgrave
Main Roads
Belgrave is located on or near several important roads, including the A607, A6, and A563.
Bus Services
Many bus services run through Belgrave, connecting it to other parts of Leicester. First Leicester and Arriva Midlands both have routes that serve the area, including the Golden Mile.
The main bus stations in Leicester City Centre are Haymarket and St Margaret's.
Train Travel
The closest train station is Leicester railway station. The main train line, the Midland Main Line, runs along the east side of Belgrave.
Some old train stations in Belgrave, like Leicester Belgrave Road and Belgrave and Birstall, are now closed.
Airport
The nearest airport is East Midlands Airport, which is about 19.2 miles away in Leicestershire.
Famous People from Belgrave
- John Ellis: A businessman and politician who was a Member of Parliament for Leicester. He also owned and lived at Belgrave Hall.
- Jennie Fletcher: An Olympic gold medallist and world record holder in swimming. She was born in Belgrave.
- Tony Sibson: A professional boxer who was a European and Commonwealth middleweight champion. He lived and went to school in Belgrave.
- David Weston: A talented artist and author who was born in Belgrave.
- Tom Sidwell: A cricketer born in Belgrave.
- George Walton: Another cricketer who was both born and died in Belgrave.
