This Sunday will see two of Leicester’s most historic buildings open to the public for guided tours. The Magazine Gateway and Wygston’s House will be open as part of the first Heritage Sunday of 2014.
From 11am – 3pm both building will be open to the public, admission is free of charge and pre-booking is not required.
The Magazine is over 600 years old and marked the entrance to the 14th century Newarke. Over the years the building has provided accommodation for high-ranking guests, it’s been used as a prison and it’s also been used as a weapon depository.
Wygston’s House was built in the 15th century and is a rare example in
Leicester of a medieval wool merchant’s home. It was later developed as a
Victorian dwelling and, at one stage, was a home for penitent females.
The house stands on what was once Leicester’s High Street. Now known as Applegate, the street has just been re-laid with high quality porphyry stone and granite blocks to provide a fitting setting for the city’s best-preserved medieval house.
Leicester’s expert Blue Badge Guides will lead an hour-long tour at each building, which need to be booked in advance.
Guided tours cost £2.50 and will take place at 11am at the Magazine and at 1pm at Wygston’s House.
Tours are not suitable for small children and suitable footwear must be worn.
Places on the guided tours are limited so pre-booking is essential. Tickets can be purchased from the Visit Leicester tourist information centre at 51 Gallowtree Gate, by calling 0116 299 4444 or by emailing info@visitleicester.info.
