Heritage

Heritage leaflets recently completed include:

Our shared heritage

Our shared heritage trail leaflet (PDF) explores the heritage of Hinckley & Bosworth and North Warwickshire. The leaflet takes visitors on a fascinating journey through history, drawing out some of the key people and places that have shaped what we see today. The leaflet also includes a map to help visitors navigate themselves around the area and highlights a selection of locations that can be visited today.

The Garden Temple at Gopsall Hall

In this borough, we are fortunate in having the vista right on our doorstep which is thought to have inspired Handel to pen his most famous opera, The Messiah.

This is marked by a Greek temple on the edge of Gopsall Wood, part of Earl Howe's Gopsall Estate in earlier days. Although now a ruin, its original form is easily recognisable.

The boot and shoe industry trail through Barwell and Earl Shilton

Less than 50 years ago, the streets of Barwell and Earl Shilton bustled with women and men on their way to work in the boot and shoe factories. These industries supplied footwear for people around the world, from Russia to South Africa.

On this trail, you are invited to gain a glimpse of their past, reflect on the appearance of the factory buildings and to ensure their industrial heritage is not forgotten.

The hosiery trail through Hinckley

Have you ever considered what it was like to work in a factory?

Hinckley was known as the cradle of the hosiery industry and had many impressive factory buildings.

To understand more about the machinery and working conditions, visit Hinckley's own industrial museum (hinckleydistrictmuseum.org.uk) opposite the former Atkins factory, Lower Bond Street, Hinckley.

The lost yards of Ratby

This leaflet gives an insight into Ratby's lost yards within the conservation area and why they were built. In conjunction with the Ratby Local History Group, we have installed nameplates at a number of locations to indicate where yards were known to exist.

Hinckley History Trail

The Hinckley History Trail leaflet maps the locations of blue plaques commemorating famous people in Hinckley town centre. The trail also highlights places of interest around the town centre including historic buildings and Hinckley’s many yards and jitties.

Please note that the website download is intended for printing rather than reading online. Please visit Hinckley BID (hinckleybid.co.uk) if you require a printed copy of the Hinckley History Trail.

Last updated: 14/11/2023 09:31