Leicestershire is a landlocked county in central England. It takes its name from the heavily populated City of Leicester which has traditionally been its administrative centre, but is now a unitary authority separate from Leicestershire. It borders onto Leicester, Rutland, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Warwickshire, Northamptonshire and Staffordshire, and contains part of the National Forest.
The population of Leicestershire (excluding Leicester) is 609,579 (2001 census), prior to the removal of Leicester and Rutland it was 927,500 (1991 census). The county covers an area of 2,084 sq km (804 sq mi)
Leicestershire | |
map shows Leicestershire from 1974-1996 | |
Demographics | |
---|---|
Population: | 609,578 (2001) |
Ethnicity: | 95% white, 3% indian |
Geography | |
Districts: | Blaby, Charnwood, Hinckley Melton, North West, Oadby, Harborough |
Neighbours: | Leicester, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Rutland, Staffordshire, Warwickshire |
Politics | |
Executive: | Tories |
MPs: | Andrew Robathan David Tredinnick Stephen Dorrell Edward Garnier Andy Reed, David Taylor Alan Duncan |
Region: | East Midlands |
Leicestershire is divided into the following districts -
- Blaby
- Charnwood (Loughborough)
- Hinckley and Bosworth
- Melton
- North West Leicestershire
- Oadby and Wigston
- Harborough
Many services are still run on the 1974 boundaries - the Leicestershire Constabulary covers the entire area, and the three councils collaborate on services such as libraries.
Towns and villages
- Anstey, Arnesby, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Ashby Magna, Aston Flamville
- Barrow-on-Soar, Barwell, Birstall, Blaby, Bottesford, Breedon on the Hill, Broughton Astley, Burbage, Bushby
- Cadeby, Coalville, Countesthorpe, Croft
- Desford, Donisthorpe
- Earl Shilton, East Norton, Edith Weston, Enderby
- Gaddesby, Glenfield
- Hallaton, Hinckley, Horninghold, Husbands Bosworth
- Ibstock
- Kegworth, Kirby Muxloe
- Little Dalby, Loughborough, Lutterworth
- Market Harborough, Measham, Melton Mowbray, Moira, Mountsorrel
- Newton Harcourt, Newtown Linford, Normanton
- Oadby
- Peatling Parva
- Queniborough, Quorndon
- Rothley
- Shackerstone, Shearsby, Sheepy Magna, Sheepy Parva, Shepshed, Sileby, Stoney Stanton, Sutton Cheney, Swinford, Syston
- Thurmaston, Thurnby, Twycross
- Waltham-on-the-Wolds, Whitwick, Walton, Wigston, Woodhouse Eaves
- The Battlefield Line, a heritage railway
- Belvoir Castle
- Bosworth Battlefield
- Bradgate Park
- Donington Park
- East Midlands Airport
- Foxton Locks
- Launde Abbey
- Leicester Botanic Gardens
- Moira Furnace
- Stanford Hall
- Twycross Zoo