Battlefield site picks up tourism award

BOSWORTH Battlefield Heritage Centre has been named the best small attraction in Leicestershire, after winning the accolade at a ceremony celebrating the best of the county’s tourism.

The Leicestershire County Council-run heritage centre won the Great Day Out Best Small Attraction category at the Leicestershire Promotions Tourism & Hospitality Awards 2019.

Announcing Bosworth as the winner at the prestigious ceremony at Athena in Leicester, judges described the attraction as ‘simply a cracking day out.’

Richard Knox, development manager at Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre, said: “It was a very welcome win. The award sends a message of encouragement and reassurance to all the people living in Leicestershire and beyond, that we tell the Bosworth Battlefield story in a range of interesting and engaging ways for visitors of all ages at an attractive and family friendly site.”

Councillor Richard Blunt, the county council’s cabinet member for heritage, leisure and arts, said: “We are very proud of what we can offer the people of Leicestershire and visitors from further afield when it comes to history, heritage and culture.

“Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre has been judged to be the best small attraction in the county by a panel of industry experts. This is a well-deserved tribute to the hard work of the staff and volunteers involved in making the site a must-visit attraction for people of all ages.”

Visitors to the heritage centre have a wide range of activities to keep them occupied, including an award-winning exhibition with eight interactive galleries, a programme of guided and self-led walks around the battlefield trail, Bosworth Discovery Zone for younger visitors, shop and the 1485 Tithe Barn restaurant. Tickets to the exhibition are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase.

There is also a varied events programme throughout the year with the highlight being the two-day Bosworth Medieval Festival.

This year, the festival takes place on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August. Tickets, which are valid for both days of the event, are already on sale at www.bosworthbattlefield.org.uk

Bosworth Battlefield echoes to the sound of conflict once more as the site commemorated the final throes of the Wars of the Roses with the re-enactment of the 1485 battle. Picture by Alistair Langham of Studio 17.