Westcotes

Westcotes is an area to the west of the city of Leicester. It is also a ward of the City of Leicester whose population at the 2011 census was 11,644. It is also known as the West End of Leicester. The area is quite small in comparison with other areas of the city, but it is well known as it has many shops, bars and restaurants and is a popular choice for students and young professionals.

The West End of Leicester, England is an inner city area just west of the city centre, on the opposite side of the River Soar (past the West Bridge). The main roads in the area are Braunstone Gate, Hinckley Road and Narborough Road.

The proximity to De Montfort University makes it a popular student area. Further to the south is the Braunstone estate, and to the west is the Dane Hills area.

The area was developed quite late, because the land remained part of two privately held estates until the 1870s. and therefore is somewhat less dense than other inner city areas like Highfields and Belgrave.

Two Roman roads crossed the West End. Both of these roads crossed the River Soar at a place close to where the West Bridge stands today. One of these roads headed in a south-westerly direction, which was the Fosse Way. The Fosse Way ran from the vicinity of Exeter to Lincolnshire, passing through Leicester. A second road ran directly westwards to join Watling Street, another important Roman Road, at Mancetter in Warwickshire.

In the 1970s the remains of a Roman villa were discovered close to the course of the Mancetter road on Saxon Street. The dwelling included many features that were characteristic of life throughout the Roman Empire; including under-floor heating and painted wall-plaster. The remains of the decorations can still be seen at the Jewry Wall Museum.

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