Local Attractions

Oadby and Wigston has many attractions to come and visit. Discover historic features, beautiful green spaces and leisure facilities. Focused around three towns, there is a wealth of places to explore!

Green Spaces

There are many green spaces around our vibrant borough. This includes the University of Leicester's Botanic Garden in Oadby. Spread across 16 acres, the botanical garden has been restored to a formalised Edwardian landscape you would find within most manors and stately homes. Open all year round, visit the botanical garden and be amazed with its natural beauty. Information on events and programmes ran by the University can be found here.

Beyond the Botanic Garden, Brocks Hill Country Park sits at the heart of the borough. It is a wonderful place to visit for both pets and children and there is a range of activities to fuel imagination and intrigue. The park offers two play areas, an area dedicated for den building, a permanent orienteering course and much more. Currently, the visitor centre is undergoing redevelopment to create an innovative and eco-friendly office for the Borough Council.

There are more parks very close to our town centres. Peace Memorial Park is just a five-minute walk from Wigston Town centre, and you can find Blaby Road Park just off South Wigston's shopping parade.

Historic Attractions

If you want to take a step back in time, a visit to the Framework Knitters Museum in Wigston is the place for you. As an important part of the hosiery industry, Leicestershire is well known for its framework knitting – the museum demonstrates this history through the Master Hosier's house, Victorian frame shop and the well-tended garden. You can find their latest opening hours and events here.

Follow in the footsteps of a local saint with St Wistan's Pilgrimage Walk. It is a four-mile countryside walk from Wistow to Wigston, tracing the history of the once heir to the throne of Mercia. St Wistan's Pilgrimage Walk is an annual event taking place on 1 June, however the route can be walked any time of the year. Information about the route and St Wistan's history and the route can be found here.

Leisure

Oadby and Wigston's leisure centres provide a range of opportunities to get active. With many activities on offer, there is something for everyone! We have two centres in the borough,

Horse Racing

The borough is also home to Leicester Racecourse. The dual flat and National Hunt venue is situated to the north of Oadby. Not only does it host 30 race days a year, but it also provides a venue for weddings, exhibits, conferences and many more events. You can find more information about the racecourse and its events calendar here.

Golfing

Within the borough there are two golf courses – the Glen Gorse Golf Club and Leicester Golf Centre. Both set in picturesque scenery, it would seem unimaginable that you're just a stones throw away from the city of Leicester.

Stoughton Grange

Stoughton Grange Rural Centre is situated on the edge of the borough and is a place to shop, relax, and work. You can find out more about what events are taking place and the businesses on offer on their website.

Waterways

The borough is home to some of Leicestershire's waterways. The River Soar and the Grand Union Canal flow through Oadby and Wigston, connecting the urban centres of Market Harborough, Oadby and Wigston, Blaby and Leicester, and the surrounding countryside. Within the Borough, the main stop is in the Kilby Bridge area, which is maintained by the Canal & River Trust.

Another key part of the Leicestershire waterways which falls within Oadby and Wigston is the Saffron Brook. As a major tributary of the River Soar, the brook is a priority area for river restoration and is currently undergoing work to the ecosystem to create a diverse natural habitat. This work is being done in collaboration with Leicester City Council and other partners; you can find more information here.

Outdoor Pursuits

At Kilby Bridge, you can find a Paddle Plus site. In collaboration with the Canal and River Trust, Paddle Plus offers canoeing, kayaking and paddle boarding along the Grand Union Canal.

Beyond the Borough

There is much to explore within the borough, and there is much more in surrounding Leicester and Leicestershire. To see what else the county has to offer, you can find more at Visit Leicester.