photograph of Leicester - Castle Yard area


All are very welcome to join the unofficial Urban Sketchers Leicester group - throughout the day to sketch the historic Castle Yard in Leicester and the surrounding sites (see 'What to see and draw' below).

Photograph of Leicester - Castle Yard area

11am - Meet outside the Newarke Houses Museum - or inside, if raining:
The Newarke, Leicester, LE2 7BY
The Museum have kindly allowed Urban Sketchers Leicester to draw inside their gallery spaces if anyone would like to.

1pm - Meet outside the entrance of the Great Hall (closed) in Castle Yard to view work and take a group photo. If it's raining then to meet back inside the Newarke Houses Museum entrance nearby. Decide on the day where/ if would like to go for lunch somewhere locally. Its a chance to chat, share tips and look at sketchpads, work etc, and then head back to draw for those interested.

3.30pm - Meet back outside the entrance of the Great Hall, Castle Yard to view work. If it's raining then to meet back inside the Newarke Museum entrance. Decide on the day if would like to go for coffee/ drink afterwards somewhere locally...

What to bring

Bring your own drawing materials, stool, warm clothes and provisions etc. It is a chance to meet people in the community, sketch, chat, share tips - beginners/ experienced all welcome. Let us know if you can make it by clicking on 'Going' on the Urban Sketchers even page on Facebook, or simply pop by on the day.

You're very welcome to upload your sketches to the Urban Sketchers Leicester Facebook page at any time. Please feel free to tag in any venues you are in or surrounding area to help create more awareness of the city.

Use #uskleicester and @uskleicester if uploading to your Instagram account.

What to see and draw

Leicester Castle was part of the medieval town defense structure, built over the Roman town walls and built around 1070 soon after the Norman invasion. A large motte, the Great Hall and the Church of St. Mary de Castro are the substantial remains.

Castle Yard -  the open area between the Great Hall and St Mary de Castro, which was used for public executions.

The Motte - can be accessed via Castle Yard or Castle Gardens. Nice views of roof tops and church spire.

The Turret Gateway - 1400's - an entrance to The Newarke Religious complex.

Trinity House Garden - Very tranquil place. Access along Castle View which is the the laneway between Turret Gateway and Castle Yard. Former Trinity Hospital medieval almshouse complex.

Church of St Mary de Castro, Leicester - the oldest part of which dates to the 12th century, is still in use as a Church of England parish church. Note the Norman style decorative patterns over doorways. Pevsner describes the Chancel extension as "the finest piece of Norman decoration in the county". Richard III probably attended services here. The Church has very kindly offered to open early at 11am so that Urban Sketchers Leicester can draw inside and will stay open until 4pm. Sketchers can use various mediums, providing no materials are left on floors or pews.

The Great Hall, (closed on this day) dating from around 1150, is thought to be the oldest surviving aisled and bay-divided timber hall in Britain. The roof structure is from about 1500's. It was chosen to host Parliament on three known occasions and was used as a law court until 1992. It is now encased in a Queen Anne style frontage.

A medieval building beside the Church - one of the few remaining in Leicester.

Newarke Houses Museum - Lots to see and draw from their collection. The museum occupies two buildings: Wyggeston's Chantry House (built circa 1511), and Thomas Skeffington's Skeffington House (1600). Don't miss looking at the panelled room just inside the door on the right, the tranquil garden plus a few historic reconstructions. It was one of the sites of a battle during the English Civil War.


Emma Fitzpatrick and Austin Orwin are the organisers.

Please note: Urban Sketchers Leicester does not accept responsibility for any loss or damage, personal or otherwise, at these events.

W: www.facebook.com/events/201169857170818/