Leicestershire

Leicestershire is a county in the English Midlands, taking its name from the city of Leicester located in its centre. The geographical centre of England is in Leicestershire, in a village named Meriden. 

The modern landscape was mostly formed following the retraction of the ice sheets at the end of the last Ice Age. This is seen in the formation of rivers, most notably the River Soar whose tributaries and canals make up a substantial part of the county’s river basin. Historically, the district was never particularly rich in minerals. Brick-clay, limestone, sandstone, and ironstone were quarried in the past, but these resources are no longer exploited. A large part of the north-west of the county forms part of the new National Forest and Charnwood Forest, whilst the east is hilly. Most of the rural land is used for rearing livestock.

The climate in Leicestershire is cool to mild, with the coldest winter temperatures averaging 6 degrees, and the hottest summers days averaging between 18°C and 21°C°C. August and October are the wettest months of the year. Whilst the soil in gardens in Leicestershire could support lawns, plants and food crops are best planted in composted beds and grow bags.