51Âþ»­

Hundreds of people flocked to 51Âþ»­’s new Heritage Centre over the weekend to explore the university’s links with Richard III.

With the reinterment of the former monarch taking place in Leicester this week, and watched by millions around the world, visitors to the city have been keen to find out more about 51Âþ»­’s significant part in the Richard III story.

More than 500 people visited the newly-opened centre, inside 51Âþ»­’s historic Hawthorn Building, with many guests also taking part in Hidden Heritage tours, which covered the medieval history of the campus site.

Built around the medieval arches of the Church of Annunciation, the Heritage Centre tells visitors the story of The Newarke and how this historic location developed during Roman settlement, expanded into a significant religious site during the 1300s, and is believed to be where King Richard III’s body was laid out for public view, after his death at the Battle of Bosworth, and before he was taken to Grey Friars Church.

The tours included the Trinity Hospital Chapel, The Chantry Building, and the refurbished arches of Church of Annunciation.

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Elizabeth Wheelband, Heritage Centre Co-ordinator, said: “It was amazing to see the 51Âþ»­ Heritage Centre so busy over the weekend, seeing it like that made the whole space come to life.

“It was great to see everyone appreciate the hard work that has gone in to making the Heritage Centre but more than that it’s incredible to see everyone appreciate the historical surroundings of 51Âþ»­, especially with the links we have to Richard III here as he is being reburied this week.

“Everyone thought it was fantastic, a lot of people didn’t even know we were here, others didn’t know about the restored arches but the people who came were really fascinated and captivated by it all.”

There is also the opportunity to view the 51Âþ»­ heritage Centre, in addition to the Magazine Gateway, as part of the Richard III Walking Trail which is run by Leicester City Council, which takes walkers around the city to view significant sites which are connected to King Richard III.

The 51Âþ»­ Heritage Centre has extended its opening hours this week as people are invited to sample the history of the surrounding area during King Richard III’s reinterment.

It will be open every day from 9am-5pm until Sunday 29 March with heritage tours taking place on Monday, Thursday, and Friday between 11am-2pm. There is no need to book in advance to attend a tour and they are free of charge.