King Richard III new audio tour launched

    King Richard III audio tour for Leicestershire

    A new audio tour has been developed to help visitors re-live the story of King Richard III’s final days in Leicester and Leicestershire.

     

    The launch of this new tour follows the discovery of the remains of King Richard III – the last Plantagenet King of England – in Leicester, announced by the University of Leicester, Leicester City Council and the Richard III Society in February 2013.

     

    The audio tour tells the story of King Richard III’s life and death in Leicester and Leicestershire through a number of fictional characters. It features key locations throughout the city and county including Bow Bridge, Greyfriars, the former site of the Blue Boar Inn, The Newarke, Ambion Hill, Kirby Muxloe Castle, Bradgate Park, Bosworth Battlefield and Donington le Heath.

     

    The tour is free to download onto smartphones and tablet devices via iTunes or by using QR codes on the new King Richard III interpretation panels across the city, at Bosworth, Donington le Heath and Kirby Muxloe Castle, online at www.visitleicester.info, www.storyofleicester.com, www.goleicestershire.com and websites for Bosworth Battlefield, Donington le Heath, Bradgate Park and Kirby Muxloe Castle, as well as from the Visit Leicester centre in Leicester.

     

    Funded by Arts Council England, this audio tour has been produced as part of the Unlocking Leicestershire museum project by Leicester Shire Promotions, in partnership with Leicester City Council and Leicestershire County Council.

     

    Martin Peters, chief executive of Leicester Shire Promotions said: “The discovery of the King’s remains in Leicester has significantly boosted the public’s interest in this dramatic story and over 150,000 people have visited the temporary exhibition in the city during 2013. The new audio tour gives a unique perspective on the fascinating story of his final days including the Battle of Bosworth at which he met his fate.”

     

    City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “The story of Richard III’s life, death and subsequent rediscovery is an extraordinary one that deserves to be shared with the largest possible audience.

    This new audio tour is a great way for people to find out about a fascinating period in Leicester’s history by encouraging them to visit the city and county landmarks that help bring Richard’s story to life.”

     

    Richard Blunt, Leicestershire County Council’s Cabinet member for culture, said: “There’s always been a compelling story to tell at Bosworth and the audio tour I’m sure will enhance the experience for visitors to our battlefield heritage centre.”

     

    A new £4 million Richard III Visitor Centre is scheduled to open later in 2014. The centre will house a breathtaking new exhibition, entitled ‘Richard III: Dynasty, Death and Discovery’ which will guide visitors through the dramatic story of the King’s life, brutal death at Bosworth Field in 1485 and the fascinating story of his rediscovery.

     

    For more information visit www.visitleicester.info or www.goleicestershire.com

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