How can the grave site of an anointed King of England be lost? More to the point, after more than 500 years, how can it be found again? Where do you start, how do you know where to look and how can you be sure of your findings?
King Richard III Visitor Centre
Attractions
21 June 2022 - 31 Dec 2022
Monday - Friday 10:00 - 16:00 Saturday 10:00- 17:00 Sunday 10:00 - 16:00 Bank Holiday 10:00 - 17:00
When Richard III was killed at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485, his body was unceremoniously buried at Grey Friars Church and all but forgotten about. The destruction of the monastery at the hands of the Reformation further ensured that his grave would be lost forever.
That is until, in August 2012, on the 527th anniversary of the king’s death, a team of historians and archaeologists searching for Richard took their investigation to what was by then a car park in a modern city.
What they found – a battle-scarred skeleton in a hastily dug grave – was set to make headlines all over the world but was this really King Richard III?
Just five months after the dig started, DNA experts from the University of Leicester, the birthplace of genetic fingerprinting, proved beyond all reasonable doubt that this was the last Plantagenet King of England.
That meant this incredible story, from dynasty and death to discovery and DNA, was ready to be told, and right next to the spot where he was found, the King Richard III Visitor Centre emerged.
Inside, you can unravel medieval murder plots and follow the journey of amazing evidence-gathering that led to the discovery of the long-lost grave.
You will be inspired by the forensic science that confirmed the identity of the remains. Then, in final homage to England’s last true warrior king, you can see for yourself the very spot where King Richard III lay undiscovered for so long - his original grave site.
The discovery of King Richard III put the eyes of the world on Leicester. At the Richard III Visitor Centre you’ll travel from the battlefield of Bosworth to Richard’s final resting place and discover how traditional archaeology and modern science combined to identify his remains.
Using great storytelling, beautiful design and 21st century technology, the King Richard III Visitor Centre tells the fascinating and moving story of the life, death and discovery of King Richard III.
The visitor centre stands on the site of the medieval friary of the Grey Friars, where the king’s remains were buried over 500 years ago.
The exhibition charts the king’s life and death – and explains the events that led to his hasty burial and eventual rediscovery. It reveals one of the greatest archaeological detective stories ever told and features the first-ever genome sequencing of ancient DNA.
Visitors will be able to see the exact place where Richard’s remains were buried over 500 years ago. This poignant place has been transformed into a glass-floored contemplative space.
The centre is a stone's throw away from Leicester Cathedral, which has housed the tomb of King Richard III since a reinternment ceremony in March 2015.
Murder, Mystery and Mayhem
Visit the new Murder, Mystery and Mayhem exhibition that allows visitors to learn more about the Wars of Roses and discover the fascinating stories behind the Houses of York and Lancaster, the key characters, battles and events.
The exhibition provides a highly visual introduction to the turbulent times that surrounded King Richard III as he rose to power and has been designed as an introduction for the rest of the award-winning attraction.
Situated on the ground floor of the Visitor Centre, Dynasty tells the very much debated story of the king’s life in a medieval England plagued by decades of fighting in the Wars of the Roses. On visiting the centre you’ll be able to discover the story behind Richard’s rise to power and will make for a fantastic introduction to the Visitor Centre.
The Murder, Mystery and Mayhem exhibition is included in admission to the Visitor Centre.
Visit Leicester Information Centre
The Visit Leicester Information has moved from its Gallowtree Gate location to King Richard Visitor Centre. A full tourist information and event bookings service is available from the Old Town site, as well as the award-winning exhibition telling of the incredible story of the king in the car park.
Covid-19 Measures
As with other museums and attractions, several COVID-19 protective measures have been put in place throughout the building including:
– the installation of Perspex screens at the entrance and in the White Boar Café
– a one-way route through the exhibition where all visitors will be expected to maintain social distancing, wear face coverings, and make use of the hand sanitiser stations newly installed throughout the building
– the introduction of timed entry tickets which must be booked in advance to support social distancing by limiting the number of visitors in the exhibition at any one time.
Address
4A St. Martin's, Leicester, LE1 5DB