General FAQs
Is it free to get in? Yes Newarke Houses is free for general entry, however we do suggest a small £3 donation.
Is there parking? There is no parking on site at Newarke Houses however there are car parks and on-street parking within a 5 - 10 minute walk. See the 'where to park' page on the Leicester City Council website for more information.
Where can I store coats, bags and other belongings? Locker facilities are available for use in the entrance lobby. Lockers cost £1 each (coins only). We have no facility to store large luggage items.
Is there anywhere I can sit and eat my lunch? During good weather visitors are also welcome to make use of outdoor seating in our beautiful gardens.
Do you have a café on site? We do not have a café on site, however opposite us on the De Montfort University campus there is a café that everyone is welcome to use; additionally our museum is a 10 minute walk in to the city centre where there are ample food and drink facilities.
What special exhibitions or events are there today? Please see our What's On calendar to find out about special events and and activities.
Can you take photographs? Yes you can for personal use. For commercial photography please contact us.
What is The Newarke? The Newarke area dates to the 15th century and was a walled enclosure (essentially a city within a city) for the religious worthy of Leicester.
Why are there holes in the wall in the back garden? These are gun loops (openings to aim firearms through) and date back to the English Civil War in the 1640s.
What is the nearby building called 'The Magazine'? Originally the main gateway into The Newarke from the south of the city, dating back to c.1400. In the 17th century the gateway was used to store arms and munitions during the English Civil War, giving it the name 'The Magazine'. Read about it's history on the Story of Leicester website.
Hires and sales FAQs
Can you hire Newarke Houses? Yes you can hire Newarke Houses for your meeting or event, please visit our Hire Page for more information.
Can I get married at Newarke Houses? No, but we do have weddings and wedding receptions at our other venues, please see our Weddings page for more information.
Comments and feedback
How can I make a compliment, comment or complaint? Visitors are welcome to make their comments directly with museum staff, who will attempt to address your query themselves or pass on your message to relevant museum colleagues. We always welcome your feedback so visitors are also welcome to send their comments by email or on the Leicester Museums & Galleries Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.
If you wish to make a formal recorded compliment, comment or complaint please follow Leicester City Council's feedback page.