Leicester's castle was constructed toward the end of the 1000s incorporating the old town's Roman walls, and it was a royal residence for Henry IV, Henry V, Henry VI, and Edward IV. Its use then changed to a courthouse with sessions held in the Great Hall. Today, the Great Hall still remains with a new fascade. Part of the moat and hillside remain as well as part of a medieval wall, which joins next to The Newarke Houses Museum. The Great Hall portion of the castle is currently used as an administrative function by Leicester, so it cannot be toured.
The castle is located next to the River Soar and gardens with small ponds and flower beds, and the ponds have panels of information about the unique diversity of wildlife and plantlife in them.
One of the notable items in the park is the traditional Maypole, which dates from Celtic traditions held in early May for May Day. The pole signified festivals and plays featuring the start of spring. The Green Man symbol also played a part in the traditions of spring (and the other seasons) and may date to the history of the story of "Robin Hood". This practice was later banned but then reintroduced again at the end of the 1800s with ribbons and dancing around the Maypole.
There is a church near the existing Great Hall, and there are the remains of a gatehouse and part of the old wall.
Overall, there is not too much to see of the existing castle, but this space has had so much history over the centuries.
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