Secret Leicestershire

Explore fascinating stories from Leicester and Leicestershire.

Radio Leicester,66 episodes

Episodes

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Leicester's Four Gaols and 'the Crank'
Leicester had four gaols (jails) in the 18th century, one still visible near Highcross
11 Nov 2025,6 mins
Inside the home of the magistrate who tried witches
Long Clawson’s Old Manor House reveals its hidden history - persecuting suspected witches
28 Oct 2025,6 mins
How Mountsorrel’s Butter Market got its name
After the medieval market cross was moved, the Butter Cross was erected - here's why
21 Oct 2025,6 mins
The creation of Leicester’s flamboyant Turkey Café
The unique café created by a local architect and former mayor for the Leicester ladies
14 Oct 2025,6 mins
The gallows of Gallowtree Gate
Gallowtree Gate was the road to the gallows where public executions were held.
01 Oct 2025,6 mins
The Elizabethan manor house saved from demolition
Narborough Hall was saved from the brink of ruin by two Leicestershire teachers.
09 Sep 2025,6 mins
Lilian Lenton – Rebel Suffragette
Inspired by the Women’s Suffrage campaigns Lilian Lenton was a militant Suffragette.
19 Aug 2025,7 mins
Rothley’s unbelievable Viking survivor
Rothley’s Anglo-Saxon cross dates from around the time of the Vikings in the 9th century.
12 Aug 2025,6 mins
Leicester’s unsung hero of the British Grand Prix
Leicester’s Bob Gerard was one of Britain’s top racing drivers of the post-war period.
31 Jul 2025,6 mins
The mining innovation that changed the world
The Newcomen engine was designed to pump water out of coal mines.
16 Jul 2025,5 mins
The notorious witches from Husbands Bosworth
Nine women from Husbands Bosworth accused of witchcraft were executed in 1616.
08 Jul 2025,6 mins
Leicester Cathedral’s 'secret' medieval porch
Leicester Cathedral's porch over the North Door dates back to the medieval period.
26 Jun 2025,6 mins
The birthplace of coal mining in Leicestershire
The earliest documented form of coal mining in Swannington dates back to around 1204.
16 Jun 2025,6 mins
The ‘lost’ pleasure gardens of Stonton Wyville
Stonton Wyville has the remnants of a banqueting house with its own pleasure gardens.
27 May 2025,6 mins
How the Siege of Leicester turned the Civil War
The 1645 Siege of Leicester was a grim chapter in the history of the city.
21 May 2025,6 mins
What's it like inside Old John?
Old John began life as a ruined folly during the time of the 5th Earl of Stamford.
12 May 2025,6 mins
Leicester's connection to a modern nursing pioneer
Nightingale wards were named after Florence Nightingale, a pioneer of modern nursing.
01 May 2025,6 mins
The secret tunnel under Leicester Royal Infirmary
Leicester Royal Infirmary was founded as the Leicester Infirmary with 40 beds in 1771.
17 Apr 2025,6 mins
Inside Leicester's unique Norman Wisdom archive
Leicester is the home to a unique collection from Sir Norman Wisdom’s 60-year career.
08 Apr 2025,6 mins
‘A medieval mayor and a Leicester murder scandal’
Brothers Walter and John Bushby sought sanctuary in two of Leicester’s medieval churches.
03 Apr 2025,6 mins
The ancient oak that gave ‘Gartree’ its name
The Gartree was an ancient oak where jurors handed out justice and administered taxes.
18 Mar 2025,6 mins
Why does Leicester have a Statue of Liberty?
Leicester’s copy of the Statue of Liberty was made by local sculptor Joseph Morcom.
11 Mar 2025,5 mins
Why is Hancock's hat in Leicester?
Tony Hancock’s famous hat and coat is held in the archive at De Montfort University.
04 Mar 2025,6 mins
Were hot water bottle covers invented in Loughborough?
Some first designs for hot water bottle covers originated from a family in Loughborough.
25 Feb 2025,6 mins
‘Tanky’ Smith: Leicester’s first private detective
Francis ‘Tanky’ Smith was in Borough Police Force before becoming a private detective.
18 Feb 2025,5 mins
The secret RAF base which foiled the Nazis
The ‘Beambender’ was a vital WW2 RAF unit designed to foil Nazi bombing raids.
06 Feb 2025,6 mins
England's 'Most Important' Leper Hospital
St Mary and St Lazarus Hospital was one of the most important leper hospitals in England.
28 Jan 2025,6 mins
Wordsworth, the priory, and the ghost
Grace Dieu Priory was used as a private house after the dissolution of the monasteries.
04 Dec 2024,6 mins
Richard III's last resting place?
The bed in which Richard III slept the night before the Battle of Bosworth exists today.
12 Nov 2024,6 mins
Glenfield's secret tunnel
Designed by railway engineer George Stephenson Glenfield Tunnel is just over a mile long.
04 Nov 2024,6 mins