Leicestershire and Northants for Visitors Quiz

Answer: National Space Centre

The National Space Centre, from which British-led space missions are controlled, is one of Leicester's newest attractions. Its oldest attraction is the Jewry Wall in the city centre, remains of the city's Roman baths. Leicester was the important Roman town of Ratae Coritanorum, on the Fosse Way. Slightly more recent are the attractive Castle Gardens alongside the River Soar, incorporating the motte of the Norman castle, and the half-timbered mediaeval Guildhall.

Answer: Diwali

The Belgrave Road, with a high Bengali population, is a unique shopping area. Also in Leicester is a rare Jain temple, and a social history museum housed in a Jacobean building. The city's art gallery is also well worth exploring, with a wide selection of German expressionists as well as twentieth century British artists.

Answer: Ashby-de-la-Zouch

The old spa town acquired its unusual name from the la Souche family who became lords of the manor in the twelfth century. Nowadays, visitors explore the castle ruins which featured in 'Ivanhoe'. Nearby Market Bosworth was the site of the battle of Bosworth Field, where Richard III was defeated and the Tudor dynasty took control of the country, while the university town of Loughborough is an attractive shopping centre.

Answer: Pork Pie

Melton Mowbray is the only place you can buy a traditional 'hunter's' pork pie, while nearby Belvoir (pronounced 'Beaver', a source of endless amusement) Castle is known for its incredible art collection. East Leicestershire is also known for Stilton cheese, which, although mistakenly named after the village of Stilton in Cambridgeshire, was never actually manufactured there.

Answer: Grand Union Canal

In addition to the flight of locks, you might explore the canal museum, and see the remains of the inclined plane, up which boats were hauled, avoiding the slow journey through the locks. Nearby Market Harborough is an attractive town, and was a traditional centre of corsetry, with exhibitions in the town museum.

Answer: Charles Rennie Mackintosh

In addition to Mackintosh's only building outside Glasgow, you might like to visit the nine hundred year-old Holy Sepulchre Church, an exact copy of the Jerusalem original, or the thirteenth-century Queen Eleanor Cross. Northampton's main traditional industry was shoe and bootmaking, and the museum explores this, after which you might visit the large market in the historic town square.

Answer: Silverstone

This is a strong sporting region. In addition to the track which hosts the British Grand Prix, West Northamptonshire is the site of Towcester Racecourse. Northampton and Leicester are notable as being among the few British towns to boast professional rugby union, football and cricket teams.

Answer: Althorp

East Northamptonshire is full of historic buildings. Perhaps the most remarkable is Rushden Triangular Lodge, built by a devout Catholic who was imprisoned for his beliefs. It has three of everything, alluding to the Holy Trinity. Meanwhile, Brixworth Church is one of the grandest Anglo-Saxon buildings surviving in Britain. Althorp is located just a few miles from the county town of Northampton, more towards the west of the county.

Answer: Horseshoe

Oakham is the historic county town of Rutland. The horseshoes are displayed on the walls of the twelfth-century Banqueting Hall, while the market place is a picturesque centre from which to explore. Nearby Uppingham is equally attractive, the buildings here being overwhelmingly Georgian.

Answer: Rutland

Although Rutland was merged into Leicestershire for twenty-five years, it's now an independent county again. Rutland Water is a large reservoir in the centre of the tiny county, which provides a centre both for watersports and for birds.

Rutland, Northamptonshire and Leicestershire are predominantly rural counties, off the main tourist trails, but there's a lot to do and see in them, so get there and get exploring!