Lying just north of Leicester city centre, Belgrave occupies the eastern part of the city within the ceremonial county of Leicestershire. It borders Rushey Mead and the village of Birstall to the north, with Spinney Hills, North Evington, and Northfields to the east across the Midland Main Line. To the south lies St Matthew’s and Leicester city centre, while Beaumont Leys and Stocking Farm form the western boundary. The old village section sits close to the Leicestershire county border and the Borough of Charnwood, just beyond Red Hill Circle, placing Belgrave at the point where the city meets the wider county.
History and Origins
The settlement’s name first appeared in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Merdegrave, derived from the Old English words for ‘marten’ and ‘grove’. After the Norman Conquest, the first element was changed to ‘bel’ to avoid the French word for excrement. In 1086 the land was listed among holdings given to Hugh de Grandmesnil, William the Conqueror’s chief cavalry commander at the Battle of Hastings, and comprised a mill, 24 acres of meadow, and land for six ploughs. Through the Middle Ages, Belgrave grew into one of Leicestershire’s wealthier parishes – valued at 16 marks in 1217, rising sharply to 60 marks by 1291. Thurcaston Road, running through the area, was mapped in 1675 as part of the main road from London to Manchester and Carlisle, and became a turnpike in 1784. A bridge on Thurcaston Road was recorded as early as 1357, though the medieval structure standing today dates from the 15th century. The construction of the Leicester Navigation in 1791 brought further change to the area.
Landmarks and Points of Interest
The Old Belgrave Village sits between Loughborough Road to the east and the River Soar to the west, and contains the Belgrave Conservation Area. Within this area stand Belgrave Hall, Belgrave House, St Peter’s Church, and The Talbot Pub. Beyond the old village, Belgrave is where the National Space Centre and Space Park Leicester are located, alongside the historic Abbey Pumping Station. The Golden Mile, a stretch of road well known for its South Asian shops, restaurants, and jewellers, runs through Belgrave and draws visitors from across the region. Commercially, Belgrave has been the base for notable businesses including British United Shoe Machinery and the knitwear company Wolsey.