Discover the Top 5 Abandoned Places in Leicester: explore eerie, historic locations perfect for urbex enthusiasts and lovers of mystery.
Leicester, a city with a deep history dating back to Roman times, also has several abandoned places that reveal fascinating elements of its past. From historic factories to decaying theaters and disused hospitals, these sites tell the story of Leicester’s industrial, cultural, and social history. Here are 5 of the most captivating abandoned places in Leicester for urban explorers and history enthusiasts alike.
1. The Abbey Mills
Once part of Leicester’s booming textile industry, Abbey Mills was a large industrial complex used for fabric production. The building’s Victorian architecture, towering chimneys, and vast, empty floors offer a glimpse into Leicester’s industrial past. Abandoned for years, the mill’s decaying structure, with broken windows, rusting machinery, and peeling paint, makes it a haunting and atmospheric site, though many parts are restricted for safety reasons.
2. Belgrave Road Baths
Opened in 1927, Belgrave Road Baths was once a popular public swimming pool, featuring stunning Art Deco design and grand interiors. Closed in 2004, the baths have been left abandoned, with empty pools, crumbling tiles, and rusted fixtures evoking a sense of nostalgia for its vibrant past. The site has drawn the interest of photographers and urban explorers fascinated by Leicester’s lost leisure spaces.
3. The Western Park Open-Air School
Built in the 1930s, The Western Park Open-Air School was an innovative school designed to provide education in a healthy, open-air environment for children recovering from illnesses. The school was eventually abandoned, and its open classrooms, now overgrown with vegetation and decaying, provide a unique exploration experience. The site is a peaceful yet haunting reminder of Leicester’s early educational history.
4. The Haymarket Theatre (Abandoned Sections)
Once one of Leicester’s main theaters, The Haymarket Theatre closed in 2007 after nearly 40 years of operation. Although parts of the theater have been repurposed, certain areas remain abandoned, with darkened auditoriums, empty backstage areas, and forgotten dressing rooms still intact. The quiet, unused sections of the theater provide a hauntingly atmospheric glimpse into the city’s cultural past.
5. Leicester General Hospital (Old Buildings)
Leicester General Hospital is still partially operational, but several of its old Victorian-era buildings have been abandoned. These empty hospital wards and corridors, with peeling paint, broken windows, and outdated medical equipment, evoke a sense of Leicester’s healthcare history. Though restricted for public access, the abandoned areas retain an eerie and solemn ambiance, attracting interest from those fascinated by the city’s medical past.
