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Leicester’s once proud tramway system

The first tram route in Leicester was in 1874 from the Clock Tower to Belgrave.

• 6 mins

Leicester's secret railway tunnel beneath Glenfield

Designed by railway engineer George Stephenson Glenfield Tunnel is just over a mile long.

• 6 mins

The bed in which Richard III spent his final night

The bed in which Richard III slept the night before the Battle of Bosworth exists today.

• 6 mins

Grace Dieu Priory’s link with William Wordsworth

Grace Dieu Priory was used as a private house after the dissolution of the monasteries.

• 6 mins

The Leper Hospital founded in Burton Lazars

St Mary and St Lazarus Hospital was one of the most important leper hospitals in England.

• 6 mins

The secret RAF base which foiled the Nazis

The ‘Beambender’ was a vital WW2 RAF unit designed to foil Nazi bombing raids.

• 6 mins

‘Tanky’ Smith: Leicester’s first private detective

Francis ‘Tanky’ Smith was in Borough Police Force before becoming a private detective.

• 5 mins

50 years of hot water bottles from Loughborough

Some first designs for hot water bottle covers originated from a family in Loughborough.

• 6 mins

The archive ‘treasure trove’ of a comedy legend

Tony Hancock’s famous hat and coat is held in the archive at De Montfort University.

• 6 mins

Why does Leicester have a Statue of Liberty?

Leicester’s copy of the Statue of Liberty was made by local sculptor Joseph Morcom.

• 5 mins

The ancient oak that gave ‘Gartree’ its name

The Gartree was an ancient oak where jurors handed out justice and administered taxes.

• 6 mins

‘A medieval mayor and a Leicester murder scandal’

Brothers Walter and John Bushby sought sanctuary in two of Leicester’s medieval churches.

• 6 mins

A unique collection of a British comedy genius

Leicester is the home to a unique collection from Sir Norman Wisdom’s 60-year career.

• 6 mins

The secret tunnel under Leicester Royal Infirmary

Leicester Royal Infirmary was founded as the Leicester Infirmary with 40 beds in 1771.

• 6 mins