Old John

Past the lovely red and green landscaped lawns, look closely and you can see Old John perching in the distance. Built in 1784 by Thomas Sketchley as a mock ruin, it functioned as an observation tower and a viewing point for the horse-racing practice circuit that the Earl of Stamford and Warrington had laid out. It is famous for its supposed 'mug shape' that has evolved over the years with one part of the structure even looking like the 'handle' of that mug! Today, it is one of Leicester's more famous landmarks, and one can enjoy guided tours and walks here.