Haymarket Memorial Clock Tower

The Haymarket Memorial Clock Tower is an octagonal stone tower rising at the convergence of five major streets and topped with a working clock. The base features four Portland stone statues positioned at cardinal points around the structure.

The tower was built in 1868 to replace both an Assembly Room from the 1750s and the hay market that previously occupied this location. Its construction marked a shift toward a more formal public space in Leicester's urban center.

Four statues at the base display people who shaped Leicester's past: Simon de Montfort, William Wyggeston, Thomas White, and Gabriel Newton. Visitors walking around the tower can see how each figure contributed differently to the city's growth.

The tower sits at a busy intersection, making it easy to locate from anywhere in the city center and useful as a navigation point. Visitors should allow time to walk around all sides to view the statues and read inscriptions clearly.

The tower was constructed directly above the intersection of two major sewers, which required significant modifications to underground infrastructure before building could begin in the 1860s. This hidden challenge remains unknown to most visitors today despite being crucial to the structure's feasibility.

Location: City of Leicester

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

GPS coordinates: 52.63621,-1.13312

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:45