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The High Cross
  • Only one pillar remains of the original High Cross shelter, originally there were 8
  • The pillar has had many homes over the years: King Street, Cheapside, museum gardens and even a private garden
  • The remaining pillar from the High Cross can now be seen in its original location

A medieval market place

The area that is now Jubilee Square would have been at the very heart of medieval Leicester.  On Wednesdays a market was held at the junction of what is now Highcross Street and High Street.

High cross stone
A stone in the road on Highcross Street marks the location of the original High Cross

The High Cross

In 1577 the High Cross was built to provide shelter for traders and consisted of eight pillars in a circle holding up a dome. The structure gradually fell into disrepair as the town developed and by 1773 most of it was pulled down to allow room for carriages to pass by. Just a single pillar remained which can still be seen in Jubilee Square.

On the move

The High Cross has been moved many times. Over the centuries it has been located in the front lawn of The Crescent in King Street, the rear gardens of Newarke Houses and in Market Place before being returned to its original location where it now stands.

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Gallery

‘Christmas Eve, Highcross Market, Leicester 16th century’ oil painting, 1900, by Henry Reynolds Steer -
‘Christmas Eve, Highcross Market, Leicester 16th century’ oil painting, 1900, by Henry Reynolds Steer
The remaining High Cross pillar as it looks today in Jubilee Square -
The remaining High Cross pillar as it looks today in Jubilee Square
A stone in the road on Highcross Street marks the location of the original High Cross -
A stone in the road on Highcross Street marks the location of the original High Cross

Roman Leicester

(47- 500) A military fort was erected, attracting traders and a growing civilian community to Leicester (known as Ratae Corieltauvorum to the Romans). The town steadily grew throughout the reign of the Romans.

Medieval Leicester

(500 – 1500) The early years of this period was one of unrest with Saxon, Danes and Norman invaders having their influences over the town. Later, of course, came Richard III and the final battle of the Wars of the Roses was fought on Leicester’s doorstep.

Tudor & Stuart Leicester

(1500 – 1700) The wool trade flourished in Leicester with one local, a former mayor named William Wigston, making his fortune. During the English Civil War a bloody battle was fought as the forces of King Charles I laid siege to the town.

Georgian Leicester

(1700 – 1837) The knitting industry had really stared to take hold and Leicester was fast becoming the main centre of hosiery manufacture in Britain. This new prosperity was reflected throughout the town with broader, paved streets lined with elegant brick buildings and genteel residences.

Victorian Leicester

(1837 – 1901) The industrial revolution had a huge effect on Leicester resulting in the population growing from 40,000 to 212,000 during this period. Many of Leicester's most iconic buildings were erected during this time as wealthy Victorians made their mark on the town.

Edwardian Leicester

(1901 – 1910) Electric trams came to the streets of Leicester and increased literacy among the citizens led to many becoming politicised. The famous 1905 ‘March of the Unemployed to London’ left from Leicester market when 30,000 people came to witness the historic event.

Early 20th Century Leicester

(1910 – 1973) The diverse industrial base meant Leicester was able to cope with the economic challenges of the 1920s and 1930s. New light engineering businesses, such as typewriter and scientific instrument making, complemented the more traditional industries of hosiery and footwear manufacturing.

Modern Leicester

(1973 – present day) Industry was still thriving in the city during the 1970s, with the work opportunities attracting many immigrants from all over the world. While industry has declined in recent years, excellent transport links have made Leicester an attractive centre for many businesses. The City now has much to be proud of including its sporting achievements and the richness of its cultural heritage and diversity.

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A Working Town

Coronation Buildings

Once described as a “jolly piece of commercial vulgarity”, the Coronation Buildings marked both the Coronation of Edward VII in 1902 and Britain´s strong ties to its Victorian Empire.
Friars Mill

Friars Mills refers to a cluster of industrial buildings (some now demolished) that form an important link to Leicester´s textile heritage.
West Bridge Station

Built in 1893, the station was added to one of the earliest railways in the world; the Leicester & Swannington Railway.
Aylestone Road Gas Works and Gas Museum

The Works included many offices, stores and ‘retort’ houses where the coal was heated to make the gas. Production was increased many times over the years to keep up with Leicester’s growing population.
The Vulcan Works

Brothers Josiah and Benjamin Gimson started their engineering business in 1842. The Vulcan Works was built for their Company between 1876 and 1879. It was one of the earliest in Britain to combine an iron foundry with an engineering works.
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