|
Possible venue + description |
Population & location |
No. of pubs in town centre |
No. of Indian restaurants in TC |
No. of night clubs |
Accommodation |
General notes |
Tony’s score out of 5 |
|
Market Harborough
12th Century historic market town All pubs, clubs, restaurants situated around town square. East side of Leicestershire is v scenic |
17, 000
10-15 miles southeast of Leicester, J20 M1 |
~10 |
2 |
2 |
10 hotels, none in centre £40-£80 for double rooms. No Travel Inn types. 1 Best Western £50 for double room |
Very picturesque town, situated in rural area. Plenty of daytime activities in surrounding countryside, although there are no hills to climb. Accommodation may be an issue. Is it big enough? |
4 |
|
Hinckley
Old market town grown significantly over last 20 years |
60K
<10 miles southwest of Leicester, J1 M69 |
~20+ |
5 (maybe more) |
4 |
Numerous B&Bs around town centre. No Travel Inn types. Hinckley Island Hotel (Where G Lineker was married!) on outskirts is big £50 double room |
Quite big, possibly too big. I recall that only 1 of the nightclubs was any good. Can get a bit rough. Quite close to both Leicester & Coventry & many people choose to go out in the cities instead. Plenty of activities to choose from in the day though & pubs are generally good |
2 ½ |
|
Melton Mowbray
Historic Market Town similar in appearance to Market Harborough
Famous for its pies & cheese |
25K
10-15 miles northeast of Leicester, J21A M1 |
~15 |
2 |
3 |
Numerous B&Bs around town centre. No Travel Inn types |
Slightly bigger than Market Harborough, but has similar feel, maybe just a touch rougher though. Tricky to get to, need to go round Leicester ring road. Again plenty to do in the day, but landscape again v flat |
3 ½ |
|
Ashby de la Zouch
Historic spa town, has pretty main street with Georgian buildings.
Reasonably impressive castle ruin.
Home of Sue Townsend’s Adrian Mole. |
13K
15-20 miles northwest Leicester. J11 M42 |
~ 10 |
4 |
2 (I think) |
Number of B&Bs in town, get the impression there are a bit naff. Best hotels are out of town 5-10 miles. 2 Travelodge hotels approx 10 miles away, 1 towards Nottingham, the other towards Leicester |
Never been to Ashby, so don’t know what its like. Prob plenty to do in the day being close to Bradgate Park, Mkt Bowsorth 7 New Forest area. |
3 |