We have had the pleasure of completing work in the central courtyard garden of Leicester’s King Richard III Visitor Centre. One of the ideas behind the new garden design was to link it to the gardens of Leicester Cathedral across the road and choose plants that were relevent to the king.
In one bed – an obvious choice – it was decided to plant some white roses with yellow broom. Since medieval times the white rose has been the symbol of the House of York of which Richard Plantagenet was the last king.
The former Alderman Newton’s School – a stunning Victorian Gothic revival building, built partly on the site of the former Grey Friars Church and in the heart of Leicester’s Old Town – had stood empty since 2008 when its last occupants, Leicester Grammar School, moved out.
The importance of its position – overlooking the possible gravesite of the long-lost Last Plantagenet King of England – was immediately obvious, and Leicester City Council bought the freehold for the building for in November 2012.
Major renovations have now completely transformed the 150-year-old building into the home of a state-of-the art visitor centre, whilst retaining the character and features of the former school.
Using great storytelling, beautiful design and 21st century technology, the centre tells the fascinating and moving story of the king’s life and death, and reveals one of the greatest archaeological detective stories ever told.
Further information can be found at www.kriii.com