Fosse Park Heritage Plaques

The crafted bronze plaques celebrate the history beneath Fosse Park, from the Roman engineering of Fosse Way to the legendary King Leir, said to have given Leicester its name.

Fosse Way – A Roman Legacy

Located between Flannels and Currys, this new bronze plaque commemorates Fosse Way, one of Britain’s most important Roman roads. Stretching from Exeter to Lincoln, Fosse Way carved a bold diagonal through the country, passing through what is now Leicester, and played a key role in shaping early trade, travel, and settlement patterns across the region. The plaque celebrates this enduring landmark and its deep connection to the history beneath Fosse Park’s foundations.

King Lear – The Legendary Founder of Leicester

The second bronze plaque celebrates King Lear (Leir), the legendary ruler whose name is said to have inspired “Leicester.” Local folklore and medieval sources describe Leir as a pre‑Roman king who established the city, lending both a name and a heritage that still spark curiosity today. Modern archaeological interpretations even shed new light on the origins of his story (including why early spellings of “Leicester” differ from what we know today).

Discover more about the history behind the plaques on the Fosse Park website.