THE PLANNER

GETTING THERE

Leicester is served by regular trains on the Midland Main Line from London St Pancras (1hr). There are also direct services from Sheffield, Birmingham, Derby, Peterborough and beyond. www.thetrainline.com

WHERE TO STAY

Live like a lord at Stapleford Park, a Georgian country house in a Capability Brown landscape near Melton Mowbray, or why not stay with a duke? Belvoir offers sumptuous bedrooms in the castle for special occasions like weddings, but also glamping in bell tents and shepherd’s huts on the estate. Alternatively, The Manor House at Quorn is a restaurant with 12 restful boutique bedrooms. www.staplefordpark.com; www.belvoircastle.com; www.themanorhouseatquorn.co.uk

WHERE TO EAT

Enjoy home-grown food cooked with flair at Michelin-starred John’s House in Mountsorrel near Loughborough. Leicester is famous for its Indian cuisine and has its own annual Curry Awards. Try Mumbai Inn in the cultural quarter. Don’t leave the area without trying a Melton Mowbray pork pie; Dickinson & Morris have been baking them in the town since 1851. www.johnshouse. co.uk; www.mumbaiinn.co.uk; porkpie.co.uk