This inner city walk has a number of busy roads, please take care when crossing these and use pedestrian crossings where possible
Some of the pavements and paths are uneven in places - take care.
[1] Leave the college campus onto Belgrave Gate. Turn right and walk to Burleys Flyover.
[2] Bear right and walk along Burleys Way. Cross Burleys Way, just after St John Street and the St Margaret's Campus, using the pedestrian crossing. There is a footbridge if you prefer.
[3] Keep on down Abbey Street then immediately cross the entrance road from the bus station on your right and go down Gravel Street to the end, passing St Margarets Bus Station on the right.
[4] Turn left onto Church Gate and continue to the Clock Tower. (Take care crossing Mansfield Street as traffic comes from three directions).
[5] Turn right onto East Gates and bear right into High Street passing the Highcross Shopping Centre on the right. After about 150 metres turn left into Royal Arcade. At the end of the Arcade turn right onto Silver Street.
(A) The Highcross Shopping Centre was originally constructed in 1991 and was known as the Shires Shopping Centre. a large extension was added in 2008 when it was renamed to the Highcross Shopping Centre. It was the largest of its type in the East Midlands until being overtaken by the Westfield Shopping Centre in Derby. It contains over 120 shops, both large and small, a dozen or so cafes, a cinema and two car parks.
[6] Almost immediately turn left into St Martins Square Shopping Centre. Continue ahead through the square and under the arch onto Hotel Street and then ahead onto Market Street.
(B) St Martins Square was probably associated with the Cathedral Church of St Martin, built in 1086, which is close by. During the time of the Industrial Revolution there were factories and workshops associated with Leicester's premier industries of hosiery and shoe making. The area was redeveloped in 1984 into the present day shopping centre. There are over 20 independent shops around the square covering a wide range of goods. There are frequent street entertainers and buskers to enliven the shopping experience.
[7] At the end of Market Street, at Fenwicks department store turn left onto Belvoir Street and continue ahead to the traffic lights on Granby Street.
(C) Fenwicks was built in 1880 as a drapery store, and was taken over by the Fenwicks chain in the 1960s.
[8] Turn left at and continue across Bishop Street. Cross Horsefair Street and then go diagonally left across the open space past the tourist information centre and through the metal arch to enter Leicester Market.
(D) Leicester Outdoor Market is around 800 years old and has been on the present site since about 1300AD. It is the largest permanent outdoor covered market in the UK. The market stands next to the indoor market which opened in 1973. There are over 250 stalls in the two markets selling a wide range of fruit and vegetables, meat and fish, clothing and much more. The market area is currently being redeveloped and modernised.
[9] Bear right to walk along Market Place with the market to the left. Immediately at the end of the market turn right into Victoria Parade.
[10] Turn left onto Gallowtree Gate and walk towards the Clock Tower. Just before the clock tower turn right onto the busy Humberstone Gate shopping area with the Haymarket Shopping Centre on the left hand side.
(E) The Haymarket Shopping Centre was opened in 1973. It also housed the Haymarket Theatre until 2006 when it was closed down and replaced by The Curve. There are over 60 shops catering for most shopping tastes. There is a large car park and the Haymarket Bus Station.
[11] At the end of the Haymarket turn left along Charles Street then continue ahead passing Haymarket Bus Station on the left.
[12] Just before the traffic island at the top of Charles Street cross to the right hand side of the road at the pedestrian crossing. Go left and cross Bedford Street South. Bear right onto Belgrave Gate. Immediately cross over on the pedestrian crossing then go right on Belgrave Gate to Burleys flyover.
[13] Go right to the pedestrian crossing and cross under the flyover then go right to return to the college.