There are many beautiful buildings across the county, several of which are owned by either Leicestershire County Council or one of the borough or district councils. LeicestershireLive has chosen 12 which we think are some of the best, and we would like to know which one our readers think is the most spectacular.
The list includes many buildings we are sure you will know, from Beaumanor Hall to Loughborough Town Hall, but there might be some surprises in there too. Vote in our poll, and we will share the results with you later in 2025.
The buildings are listed in alphabetical order. Take a look at the descriptions below, scroll down to find the poll, and vote for your favourite. Have we missed any from the list? Let us know in the comments below.
READ MORE:Which is the most beautiful council-owned building in Leicester?
1620s house
1620s House and Garden
(Image: Google)
The 1620s House and Garden, which is owned by Leicestershire County Council, can be found at Donington le Heath, near Coalville. The house, which was built in the 13th century and then modernised in 1618, has been home to many families over its 700 year history, but the Digby family, which included the Gunpowder Plotter Sir Everard Digby, lived in the house for more than 200 years. It is towards the end of the Digby ownership that the newly refurbished house is focused, showing how people lived in late Elizabethan and early Jacobean times.
Visitors can now see the restored period rooms and talk to volunteers about the history of the house, the families that lived there and about life in the 1620s. The house is set in 17th century-style gardens with labelled plants and flowers, an orchard, herb gardens and a small maze.
Beaumanor Hall
Beaumanor Hall
Beaumanor Hall is a Victorian stately home in the village of Woodhouse on the edge of Charnwood Forest, near Loughborough. Leicestershire County Council has owned the hall since the 1970s, when it was bought for use as an education and conference centre. It is a popular venue for weddings, conferences and social events. The hall also offers guided tours of its main hall, cellars, and other buildings.
Bushloe House
Funds from the sale of Bushloe House will pay for the transformation of the council’s new base
(Image: Google Maps)
Bushloe House is a Grade II-listed building currently owned by Oadby and Wigston Borough Council, but is sold subject to contract. It was originally a home built around 1850 by architect Stephen Fry. It was extended in around 1880 and is made of yellow brick with a Welsh slate roof.
Carillon Tower
Loughborough’s Carillon Tower war memorial in Queen’s Park
(Image: Charnwood Borough Council)
Carillon Tower in Loughborough is owned by Charnwood Borough Council. The tower, located in Queen’s Park, is one of the most well-known monuments in the town and pays tribute to Loughborough servicemen who have lost their lives in conflict since the First World War.
The first brick was laid 101 years ago on January 22, 1922 before the official unveiling in July the following year by Field Marshall Sir William Robertson. A total of 47 bells are housed in the Carillon Tower which were cast at Loughborough based John Taylor and Co Bell Foundry, the last major bell foundry in Britain.
Charnwood Museum
Charnwood Museum
(Image: Google)
Charnwood Museum is owned by Charnwood Borough Council. The Charnwood Museum website notes that the museum is situated in the former Victorian swimming baths. It notes: “Featuring a wide range of exhibits reflecting the history, geology, archaeology and industries of Charnwood and the surrounding area, permanent displays include ‘Coming to Charnwood’, ‘The Natural World of Charnwood’, ‘Living off the Land’ and ‘Earning a Living’.”
Hinckley and District Museum cottages
Hinckley & District Museum cottages, 30 Lower Bond Street, Hinckley
(Image: Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council)
The Hinckley and District Museum notes the museum cottages at 30, Lower Bond Street, Hinckley are the most complete example of half-timbered buildings remaining in Hinckley and date from the seventeenth century, being originally built as a farmhouse. The freehold of the museum cottages was passed to Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council in 2007 and the council lets them on a long lease to Hinckley and District Museum for a peppercorn ‘if demanded’ rent. The museum is managed and staffed by volunteers, and is operated by Hinckley and District Museum, a registered charity.
Loughborough Town Hall
Loughborough Town Hall
Loughborough Town Hall is owned by Charnwood Borough Council and is still used for full council meetings. The grade-II listed building was built in 1855 by William Slater and was turned into a theatre in 1980. It is a popular venue for live music, comedy, drama and also hosts the town’s annual pantomime, while the building is also home to the Sock art gallery.
Memorial Clock Tower, Coalville
Coalville Memorial Clock Tower
The Memorial Clock Tower is owned by NW Leicestershire District Council. It was built in 1925, and was unveiled in October of the same year by Mary Booth, the widow of Charles Booth of Grace Dieu Manor. The height of the tower is 68 feet above pavement level.
Moira Furnace
Moira Furnace Museum
(Image: Northcliffe Media Ltd.)
Moira Furnace, owned by NW Leicestershire District Council, sits alongside Ashby Canal. It is a nineteenth-century iron-making blast furnace in Moira, on the banks of the Ashby-de-la-Zouch Canal. Originally built by the Earl of Moira in 1804, the building is now a museum featuring lime kilns and craft workshops.
Stenson House
(Image: Leicester Mercury / Chris Gordon)
Stenson House in Coalville is owned by NW Leicestershire District Council. It is a beautiful 1800’s building which is the home of Coalville Registration Office, with two ground floor ceremony rooms.
The Atkins Building
The Atkins Building, Lower Bond Street, Hinckley
(Image: Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council)
The Atkins Building on Lower Bond Street in Hinckley is owned by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council. The website notes it is the former home of Atkins of Hinckley who established a presence in Hinckley in 1722 and produced hosiery until 1995, by which time it was the oldest existing and operating hosiery factory in the world.
In September 1995 the Atkins business was taken over by Coates Viyella who manufactured hosiery until the factory’s closure in 2002. In 2008 Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council bought the Atkins building and renovated it in to a creative business centre and gallery which opened in 2010.
Woodgate Chambers
Woodgate Chambers
(Image: Google)
Woodgate Chambers in Woodgate, Loughborough is owned by Charnwood Borough Council.