Live, love Leicester

After spending an action-packed week in Thailand, it’s been a joy to spend some time closer to home this bank holiday. All that international wandering has left me suffering a little jet lag and falling asleep at any given opportunity. This weekend my body was craving my own bed, a solid cup of Tetley and some slow living. Also, in what now seems to have been planned to timely perfection, afternoon tea for a belated mother’s day treat was an ideal plan.

So on a very pleasant Saturday afternoon, me and Momma Wanderer went to Winstanley House. Set in pretty parkland on the outskirts of Leicester, Winstanley House, formerly known as Braunstone Hall, has an interesting history, including playing an important role during the second world war. But Saturday’s visit wasn’t designed to be a history lesson, it was more about taking a couple of hours to enjoy life slowly. We sat in a former drawing room to enjoy our deliciously simple finger-sandwiches and cake. In a nice touch, we could choose our own fillings as not everyone is up for cucumber and cream cheese. Two tasty scones, complete with jam and clotted cream were spot on. And, as we know, I love a good slice of cake, so imagine my delight when on the menu was ‘Opera cake’, a delight I’d never heard of nor tried before! Now, equally imagine my disappointment when I learned it was made with coffee. I have some very simple cake rules. Do not mix coffee (nor alcohol) with a sweat treat, ever. Thank you.

With my opera cake swapped out for an extra macaron, afternoon tea was a total treat in a stunning venue. Since its closure as a school in 1996, Winstanley House has been given a new lease of life in as a boutique hotel and wedding venue. It’s lovely. A lush bar, cute outdoor space and most of all, delightful people on hand to help. A real Leicester gem.

The following morning we were also back in the city. In a neighbourhood I’d never been to before, in a very ordinary community centre, there was a West End choreographer teaching my daughter to dance. Leicester’s arts and theatre scene really is something once you get involved. Whilst we waited, we wandered, enjoying and experiencing the city waking up on a Sunday. Café visits, park runs, dog walks, the red, white and blue bunting going up in advance of the Coronation street parties. With the sun trying its hardest to peak out, it was a pleasure to slowly explore the city I call home.

Last week I travelled half way around the world with 100 other Brits from all over the country. Very few of them knew what or where Leicester or Leicestershire really was. They’re not unusual, but it got me wondering why? This weekend has proven that like most cities, there’s plenty to see and do once you start wandering. To confirm my point, I also saw Visit Leicester’s new infographic, which shows some great facts and stats about the region. And whilst King Richard III has been the main attraction in recent years, there’s much more to it too. With my international travels done and dusted for the time being I’m going to be wandering around my lovely home county these coming weekends, and enjoying it all with pride.