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Pictures of Anstey

in the county of Leicestershire

Groby Road, Anstey, Leicester

About Anstey

This village was first mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086, of its latter history the village records close links with the Luddite riots which started during the early stages of the Industrial Revolution of the 19th century. The leader of the riots was Ned Ludd who was born in the village, he opposed the new machinery fearing it would cause mass un-employment. He and his fellow rioters went into factories to smash newly installed stocking frame machines. Stocking making had previously flourished as a cottage industry and was carried on in many homes and smaller working establishments throughout the region.

One of the most attractive features of Anstey is the famous 14th century five arched pack-horse bridge crossing the River Wreake. The bridge spans no more than five feet, it is bounded by pretty water-meadows and has some quaint old cottages close-by.

The parish church is a building of 1846, it incorporates bits of a previous church probably built during the 12th century. In the corner of the churchyard visitors can see the shaft of a rare cross, this is now a listed Grade II Scheduled Ancient Monument, as are several of the graves and tombs. Inside the church there are interesting stained glass windows, a Norman font, and many other historic church treasures including tablets and monuments.

There is a pleasant blend of properties to be seen, amongst these are delightful Victorian and Edwardian houses. There are usual village amenities with larger shops to be found in Leicester City Centre.

Visitors to the area can enjoy pleasant riverside strolls, or walks in the surrounding countryside. There is a close by wildlife reserve and Bradgate Park with its herd of beautiful fallow deer, has associations with Lady Jane Grey who was Queen of England for just nine days, she spent her childhood at Bradgate House.

Anstey makes a pleasant location for anyone seeking to explore the rich industrial and rural heritage of Leicestershire.


Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Anstey

Cropston Reservoir(1.3 miles, 2.1 km, direction N)Pictures
Bradgate Park(1.5 miles, 2.4 km, direction NW)Pictures
Old John Tower(2.1 miles, 3.5 km, direction NW)Pictures
Belgrave Hall Museum & Gardens(2.9 miles, 4.7 km, direction E)Pictures
Kirby Muxloe Castle(3.0 miles, 4.8 km, direction SW)Pictures
Abbey Park(3.0 miles, 4.8 km, direction SE)Pictures
The Jewry Wall Museum(3.3 miles, 5.4 km, direction SE)Pictures
Newarke Houses Museum & Gardens(3.6 miles, 5.7 km, direction SE)Pictures
Leicester Cathedral(3.6 miles, 5.8 km, direction SE)Pictures
Ulverscroft Priory(3.9 miles, 6.3 km, direction NW)Pictures
New Walk Museum & Art Gallery(4.1 miles, 6.6 km, direction SE)Pictures
Watermead Country Park(4.1 miles, 6.6 km, direction E)Pictures
Beacon Hill Country Park(4.6 miles, 7.4 km, direction NW)Pictures
Cossington Meadows Nature Reserve(4.7 miles, 7.6 km, direction NE)Pictures
Thornton Reservoir(4.8 miles, 7.7 km, direction W)Pictures

All attractions in Anstey
All attractions in Leicestershire
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Anstey

Leicester, a Historic City in the county of Leicestershire (3.2 miles, 5.2 km, direction SE)
Leicester is famed amongst other things for its fine parish church which was raised to Cathedral status in 1927.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Rothley, in the county of Leicestershire (3.3 miles, 5.2 km, direction NE)
Rothley is a delightful village with two village greens, one is flanked by some of the country's finest timber framed houses. The village shows a graceful selection of architecture including pretty Cruck Cottages.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Quorn, in the county of Leicestershire (4.9 miles, 7.9 km, direction N)
Quorn can be found between Leicester and Loughborough, it is surrounded by magnificent countryside and a wealth of visitor attractions.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Queniborough, in the county of Leicestershire (6.6 miles, 10.7 km, direction E)
A lovely village, where round every corner there is another visual delight.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Loughborough, in the county of Leicestershire (6.8 miles, 11.0 km, direction N)
The joyous sound of bells made in Loughborough have been rung all over the world since 1858, the date that John Taylor of Oxford...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Earl Shilton, in the county of Leicestershire (8.8 miles, 14.2 km, direction SW)
Earl Shilton is one of the largest villages in the County of Leicestershire. It occupies a rich rural landscape between the town of Hinckley and the City of Leicester.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Wistow, in the county of Leicestershire (9.8 miles, 15.8 km, direction SE)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

John O'Gaunt, in the county of Leicestershire (11.7 miles, 18.8 km, direction E)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Tilton on the Hill, in the county of Leicestershire (12.4 miles, 20.0 km, direction E)
This is a quiet rural village situated in one of the highest parts of the rolling Leicestershire countryside.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Ashby de la Zouch, in the county of Leicestershire (12.8 miles, 20.6 km, direction NW)
This town takes its name from the La Souche family, lords of the manor from about 1160. The Norman prefix distinguishes Ashby from other towns of similar name.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Staunton Harold, in the county of Leicestershire (13.1 miles, 21.0 km, direction NW)
Staunton was mentioned in the Doomsday Book when it was held by Henry de Ferrers.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Melton Mowbray, in the county of Leicestershire (14.3 miles, 23.0 km, direction NE)
An historic market town famous for its Pork packed pies and Stilton cheeses, both are savoured all over Britain and in many other countries.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Foxton, a Picturesque Village in the county of Leicestershire (14.7 miles, 23.7 km, direction SE)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Nuneaton, in the county of Warwickshire (15.6 miles, 25.1 km, direction SW)
It was the arrival of the railways in 1847 that caused Nuneaton to develop as an industrial textile and engineering town.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Long Eaton, in the county of Derbyshire (16.0 miles, 25.7 km, direction N)
Long Eaton is a small town lying on the River Trent around 8 miles east of Derby. The town has a history stretching back to the 7th century, but was for many centuries naught but a sleepy agricultural village.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

All towns in Leicestershire
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

M1 Junction 21A(2.5 miles, 4.1 km, direction SW)
Leicester Station(3.9 miles, 6.3 km, direction SE)
M1 Junction 22(4.9 miles, 7.8 km, direction W)
Syston Station(4.9 miles, 7.9 km, direction E)
East Midlands Airport(12.4 miles, 19.9 km, direction NW)
Birmingham International Airport(27.5 miles, 44.3 km, direction SW)
Anstey to London(92.4 miles, 148.6 km, direction SE)

Hotels & Accommodation in Anstey

Hotel NameApproximate distance from Anstey center
Leicester Central Premier Travel Inn(1.8 miles, 3.0 km, direction SE)
The Rothley Court Hotel(3.1 miles, 5.0 km, direction NE)
Comfort Hotel Leicester(3.2 miles, 5.2 km, direction SE)
Holiday Inn Leicester City(3.4 miles, 5.4 km, direction SE)
Days Inn Leicester Central(3.4 miles, 5.4 km, direction SE)
Campanile Hotel Leicester(3.6 miles, 5.8 km, direction SE)
Days Inn Hotel Leicester(3.7 miles, 6.0 km, direction S)
Ramada Leicester(3.8 miles, 6.1 km, direction SE)
Fieldhead Hotel(3.8 miles, 6.2 km, direction W)
Express By Holiday Inn Leicester Walker Stadium(3.9 miles, 6.2 km, direction SE)
All hotels in Anstey

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