Leicester is full of great places – from parks and nature reserves to restaurants, bars and shops. There’s no shortage of great places to spend time, relax and have fun in and around the city.

But what is your favourite place in Leicester?

We asked that question to a lot of Leicester bloggers to help highlight some great places in Leicester that you might not know about, and you can read their responses below.

Let us know your favourite place in the comments at the bottom.

Ruth Clowes – www.clarendonspark.co.uk

twitter: twitter.com/clarendonspark

“Being asked to choose my favourite place in Leicester has put me in a real quandary. My first thought was Babelas bar on Queens Road, where I start the weekend in style every Friday evening with a glass of ‘The Crossings’ sauvignon blanc and one of their legendary cheeseboards. But then I could just as easily pick another of my regular weekend haunts – the Cuban-themed Bar Dos Hermanos, just across the road. The bar staff there make the best mojito I’ve ever tasted and the atmosphere manages to be simultaneously upbeat and chilled-out.

Being a bit of a foodie, maybe I should forget about bars altogether and pick one of Leicester’s restaurants as my favourite place in the city instead. Barceloneta springs to mind, with its delicious authentic Spanish grub (the fried calamari and the crab and prawn croquettes deserve special mention). Then again, newcomer Cultura, further up Queens Road, has really got people talking since it opened last November and I’m already a huge fan. The pork belly with chorizo mashed potato I had there recently really sent the place soaring up my favourites list.

I’m rarely happier than when I’m sat in a café with nowhere in particular to be, just watching the world go by. For this reason The Tiny Bakery has got to be in the running for my favourite place in Leicester. Great coffee, artisan breads, wonderful cakes and outdoor seating perfect for a spot of al fresco blogging – this bijoux place has it all. And while we’re on the subject of great coffee shops, I can’t omit newbie Northern Cobbler, also on Clarendon Park Road. Selling a funky Ethiopian Yirgacheffe blend of beans, this hipster hangout has really got something special going on. Oh, and it’s not just a café – the shop also sells shoes. I mean what’s not to like?!

I guess it says a lot about me that when I think about my favourite places in Leicester it’s those selling food and drink that are first to my mind. There are some fantastic independent retailers in Leicester too though which deserve a mention. I love to spend a lazy afternoon scouring the shops rummaging for unique handmade and vintage clothes and gifts – but how can I possibly choose my favourite from Elizabeth James, Clarendon Vintage, PLANK, All About Daisy, Mooch, Vintage Utopia and Prettiez?

It turns out I can’t narrow down my favourite place in Leicester to anything other than an entire area. My favourite place is Clarendon Park – all of it and everything in it. Over the last decade or so, this little part of the city has evolved from a twee middle class ‘muesli belt’ into a haven of independent specialist shops, restaurants, bars and beauty salons. I feel incredibly lucky to live in this uniquely fun, friendly and fashionable corner of Leicester. When was the last time you took a trip to Clarendon Park? Read more about what it has to offer on my blog and you’ll soon see why it’s my favourite place in Leicester and be planning your next visit!”

Lindsay Clarke – leicesterveggie.com

Twitter: twitter.com/LeicVeggie

“When asked about my favorite place in Leicester I really struggled to pick just one. There are so many things I love about my adopted city (I’m from Arizona originally), that choosing a single place proved to be difficult. Should I write about having a lovely meal in the Orange Tree pub garden, riding the Great Central Railway, watching City play at King Power Stadium, or perhaps seeing an independent movie at the Phoenix? In the end I decided my favorite place has to be the Grand Union Canal that runs through Leicester.

I’ve always enjoyed riding my bike along the canal in the summertime. Picking up the canal from the city centre and heading north, you ride through Abbey Park, past old abandoned brick factories and through wooded areas until you start to reach the outer limits of the city. In Birstall, you can stop by The White Horse for a quick drink in the beer garden along the canal before carrying on through the peaceful Watermead Park and into the countryside. My favorite spot is out there – a little grassy area by a lock where you can have a picnic against the backdrop of green pastures and canal boats travelling along the waterway. It’s the perfect place to while away a long sunny summer day – a place that always makes me feel immensely happy to live where I do.”

Rosalind Adam – rosalindadam.blogspot.co.uk

Twitter: twitter.com/rosalindadam

“Leicester market has a very special place in my heart and over the years it has been central to my life. As a small girl I used to sit under Mum and Dad’s stall watching ‘legs’ go by. In those days my favourite part of the market was the ice cream kiosks. There were two of them, Eric’s and Rossa’s. I would buy myself a cornet and go to watch the pitch boys, balanced on their orange boxes, singing their sales patter to the gathering crowds. My favourite market worker was the light bulb man who had a jacket with enormous pockets filled with light bulbs. Every morning he would clink his way from stall to stall twisting the bulbs into swinging flexes.

I soon learnt how to serve customers and in my twenties I had my own stall for a while. Recently I was back again, selling my own book, The Children’s Book of Richard III, on a pop-up stall in the very centre of the market by the Corn Exchange, and (apart from the cold weather) it was the most enjoyable week I have had in ages. I had forgotten how friendly people are and how many people pass through the market as part of their daily routine. It is good to see that the market is central to lots of other people’s lives too.”

Tim Burke – riponia.wordpress.com

Twitter: twitter.com/TimBurke6

“As a food blogger I suppose I should pick a restaurant but to be totally honest, my favourite place is in the middle of the Kop at the King Power Stadium, preferably when we’ve just scored another 89th minute winner.

That’s the place where I celebrate most my sense of belonging to the city and my comradeship with its people. Close behind would be dissecting the match a little later on over a pint of Bishop’s Farewell in Babelas on Queen’s Rd, enjoying the warm fug and savouring the growing anticipation of the slow-cooked beef stew I’d put on before leaving the house for the match. “

Charley Watkins – www.beau-elle.blogspot.co.uk

Twitter: twitter.com/charleywx_

“In Leicester, I have a couple of favourite spots I like to go to for refreshments. To enjoy a healthy light lunch I usually pop into Pret A Manger as they have a variety of foods to suit any allergies, intolerances and the food is always freshly made. Whether hot or cold I enjoy sitting outside either in the sun or under the heaters enjoying on of their scrumptious coffees (and sometimes a naughty piece of cake).

When I fancy something a little stronger, Cosy Club is lovely whether it be a hot meal, little nibbles or cocktails this 1920’s style restaurant is lovely – they even give you blankets to “cosy” up in if you choose to sit outside 🙂 “

Emma Farthing – walking-in-heels.blogspot.co.uk

Twitter: twitter.com/emmafarthingmua

“I’d have to pick The Parcel Yard, formally known as Time Bar as my favourite bar in Leicester. I’ve spent many a Friday night there, with a glass of wine and a bunch of work friends to wind down for the weekend.

Alternatively, it’s been the go-to meeting point on a Saturday night with a group of girlfriends, sampling a few of their fantastic cocktails ready for a night of dancing in Leicester. Right next to the train station, it’s a great location and it’s friendly, un-pretencios atmosphere and fantastic bar staff make it a great spot for grabbing a quick drink on route somewhere, or getting settled in gossiping the night away over a bottle (or two). “

What’s your favourite place in Leicester? Let us know in the comments below…

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