Your guide to a fun-filled, action-packed, family-friendly weekend in Leicester…

Having a blast
The first stop on our weekend in Leicester was not difficult to find.
At 42 metres high, the semi-transparent Rocket Tower at the National Space Centre resembles a giant chrysalis and is the city’s most iconic landmark. 
It is home to two rockets: Blue Streak, which formed part of Britain’s nuclear deterrent; and Thor Able, which the Americans used to launch satellites from 1958-60.
There are also replicas of an Apollo Lunar Lander and first-man-in-space Yuri Gagarin’s module, plus a chunk of real Moon rock and much more. 

Yet the tower is only part of this out-of-this-world attraction, which tells the story of past, present and future space exploration in the further six galleries that were hands-on heaven for our two children, aged nine and 13.
There’s a real earth-orbiting satellite, a Soyuz spacecraft built by the Soviet Union, a walk-through recreation of the International Space Station and the immersive Tetrastar Spaceport experience, which takes visitors on a rescue mission to Mars and features a flight simulator with motion seats and an escape room.
Then there’s the collection of spacesuits, including one worn by UK astronaut Tim Peake and another worn by actor Matt Damon in the hit movie The Martian. There’s also Buzz Aldrin’s space underpants – worn during training for the historic Apollo 11 mission.
But for me, the highlight was the illuminating journey across the universe from inside the UK’s largest domed planetarium (try to get a seat at the rear if you can).

Family-friendly base
From the space centre, we took a giant leap (two miles) to the city centre and parked up in the council-operated Newarke Street multi-storey, which was just a couple of minutes’ walk from our overnight base.
The Gresham Aparthotel, in Market Street, was opened in November 2021 following a £17 million refurbishment of the Victorian building it occupies, and has 121 stylish, modern apartments.
The two-bedroomed apartments are perfect for a family of four, with two sleeping areas and two good-sized shower rooms in addition to a separate living space with a sofa, and dining table. Ours had two TVs, a safe, aircon and free wifi.

The kitchenette is great for feeding the kids their dinner, supper and breakfast, saving you on eating out (although ours lacked a toaster). Alternatively, the McDonald’s up the street is bound to keep them happy.
But if you want to treat your tastebuds there’s some posh nosh and cocktails to be had at the onsite restaurant and bar, Black Iron Social, which sources ingredients from local suppliers.
Black Iron Social is also open for breakfast and Gresham guests can enjoy a made-to-order full English among other cooked options (weekends only) or take advantage of the continental buffet.
Afterwards, mums and dads can work off their breakfasts at the free on-site gym.

Hole lot of fun
With tea-time approaching, we made our way on foot to Treetop Golf, where our skills were ‘putt’ to the test.
The two indoor 18-hole courses, the Tropical Trail and the Ancient Explorer Trail, are just the right level of difficulty – not so easy that they are completed too soon; not so difficult that kids will get frustrated and start clubbing away willy nilly.
And they were full of fun. Entering the rainforest, we met tree spirits, chattering toucans, and a singing barbershop of frogs on our way to a cascading river. On the Mayan-themed course there were temples, sacred masks and a royal monkey to negotiate.
Finally there was the bonus 19th hole. It didn’t look too tricky but collectively we failed eight times to win a free game.
In between the two courses, we enjoyed pizza, with yummy cherry Bakewell milkshakes and tropical mocktails served in miniature versions of the Easter Island statues.

King of spades
Checking out of the Gresham at 11am, we dumped our bags back at the car then re-traced our steps towards Treetop Golf, stopping at the King Richard III Visitor Centre
Unless you’ve been living under a rock the last few years, you’ll be familiar with the story of the ‘King in the Car Park’ – how Richard’s last resting place was discovered, against the odds, after 527 years.
The visitor centre is in the perfect location to tell the fascinating story: in a former school which was built on the site of the church where Richard was believed to have been hastily buried without any pomp
From a first floor bay window you get a good view of the social services car park that was earmarked by archaeologists, plus the modern extension that now protects the king’s grave, visible below toughened glass.
Our kids were fascinated by Richards’s facial reconstruction and the replica skeleton ‘undergoing’ a CT scan. They were also able to vote on whether he was guilty as charged of the murder of the ‘Princes in the Tower’.
Other aspects of the visitor centre can be a little heavy going for kids so, to help maintain their interest, it might be wise to brief them beforehand on Richard’s unorthodox route to the crown and the Battle of Bosworth Field.
His remains now take pride of place across the road at Leicester Cathedral, in a move some might consider surprising considering his long-held reputation as a child killer.

Test your mettle
While the Richard III Visitor Centre was probably the highlight of the weekend for Mum and Dad, for the kids we’d saved the best till last.
St George’s Retail Park, just a short drive from Newarke Street, is home to Ninja Warrior UK Leicester, one of several indoor obstacle assault courses across the country inspired by the ITV show of the same name.
There are three courses, from one aimed at juniors to one resembling the tough TV version, and they have all manner of monkey bars, rope swings, balancing beams and jungle nets etc.
And, if you’ve any strength left after all those, visitors can take on the famous Warped Wall.
At 53, I think I was the oldest Ninja Warrior in town, and I certainly felt my age when obstacles my kids took in their stride proved beyond me.
Before very long, my wife and I happily settled into cheerleader roles. We did, however, have some good old family fun in the huge inflatables area, which doesn’t ‘discriminate’ against age or fitness levels. 
A 60-minute session at Ninja Warrior will fly by, so I’d recommend a two-hour slot, unless, that is, you want to be seen dragging your kids off the courses kicking and screaming!
During our visit there was an impressive number of friendly staff on hand at all times, offering invaluable tips. Watch out for some exciting plans there for the summer.

Travel facts

National Space Centre (spacecentre.co.uk) entry is £17.95 for children aged 5-16 and £19.95 for adults. Tickets include free return visits for 12 months.
Treetop Golf (adventuregolf.com/leicester) costs £11pp for 18 holes or £16pp for 36. Family (2+2) tickets cost £33 for 18 holes or £50.50 for 36. There are 2-for-1 offers at certain times.
Richard III Visitor Centre (kriii.com) entry is £5 for children aged 5-15 and £10 for adults, with family tickets (2+2) £25.
Ninja Warrior UK Leicester (ninjawarrioruk.co.uk) costs £14.95pp for one hour and £25pp for two. There are deals on the website. Under-12s must have an adult on site.
The Gresham Aparthotel (thegreshamaparthotel.com) offers 15% off stays on production of a ticket for the National Space Centre, Richard III Visitor Centre or Ninja Warriors UK.

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