Scheduled monuments in Leicester facts for kids
Leicester is home to ten special historic places called scheduled monuments. These are like super important archaeological sites or old buildings. They are protected by law because they tell us a lot about the past.
These monuments include very old Roman structures like the Jewry Wall and Raw Dykes. There are also medieval sites such as Leicester Castle. Even a more recent bridge, King William's Bridge, is on the list. Some of these protected areas cover more than one important feature.
What is a Scheduled Monument?
A scheduled monument is a "nationally important" historic site in the United Kingdom. This means it's a very special place that helps us understand history. These sites get special protection from the government.
The protection stops people from making big changes without permission. This helps keep these old places safe for future generations. The rules for scheduled monuments come from laws like the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.
The list of these monuments is kept by an organization called English Heritage. There are about 18,300 scheduled monuments across the UK. Sometimes, one entry on the list can include several different sites.
Exploring Leicester's Historic Sites
Let's take a closer look at the amazing scheduled monuments you can find in Leicester. Each one has a unique story to tell about the city's long history.
| Name | Location | What makes it special? | When was it built? | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aylestone Medieval Packhorse Bridge | Aylestone | This old bridge was once much longer, maybe 200 meters! It helped people and horses cross the river. Some people even call it the 'Roman' bridge, but it's from the Middle Ages. | Around the 15th century |  |
| Beaumont Leys Medieval Earthworks | Castle Hill, Astill Lodge Road | These are the remains of an old medieval settlement. You can still see mounds, a fishpond, and a dam. It gives us clues about how people lived long ago. | Medieval times |  |
| Belgrave Bridge | Thurcaston Road, Belgrave | This bridge has six arches and crosses the River Soar. It was built in medieval times. Today, only buses and bikes can use it. | Around the 15th century |  |
| Birds Nest Site | Battersbee Road | This site was once a lodge surrounded by a moat. A moat is a deep, wide ditch filled with water. Now, it's mostly a recreation area, and the moat is hard to see. | 14th century |  |
| The Hollow | Evington | This is another moated site from medieval times. It was part of a large estate, and it also had fishponds. People would raise fish for food here. | Medieval times |  |
| Jewry Wall and nearby remains | St Nicholas Circle | These are amazing Roman ruins! Some parts of the old Roman wall are even built into St Nicholas' Church, Leicester. It's a direct link to Leicester's Roman past. | Roman and Anglo-Saxon periods |  |
| King William's Bridge | Sheepwash Lane, Anstey, Leicestershire | This is a two-arch bridge that was used by packhorses. Packhorses were horses that carried goods on their backs before cars and trucks existed. | Around the 17th century |  |
| Leicester Abbey | Abbey Park | This site includes the ruins of a large abbey, a wall called Abbot Penny's Wall, and old gardens. Abbeys were important religious buildings where monks lived. | From the 12th century |  |
| Leicester Castle and the Magazine Gateway | Castle Yard, Castle Park, The Newarke | This site includes the old castle mound, a great hall, and a medieval gatehouse called the Magazine Gateway. Castles were strongholds for kings and nobles. | Medieval times |  |
| Raw Dykes | Aylestone Road | These are ancient earthworks, which are shapes made in the ground. Their exact purpose is a mystery, but some think they might have been a Roman aqueduct. An aqueduct carried water. | Roman period |  |
