In the last century, Leicester was the home of Joseph Merrick, the elephant man. he was shown as a freak at various theatres, including one on the corner of Wharf street, which is now a shop but still has the remains of the stage. He also worked at 6 Churchgate, for his unkle, but frightened people away with his deformities. the city sits on the centre of one of the smallest and least visited counties. Grand Victorian buildings mingle with glass and concrete tower blocks, interspersed with multi-story car parks. Conservation areas, parks and museums preserve the past, and like most cities, Leicester is best explored on foot. The lift9ing bridge on Soar lane was built byStephenson to take his railwway across the river; opposite it today is a sinilar bridge built in 1897. Leicester also has the only gas museum in the cuntry-the East midlands gas museum at Aylkestone Road. An Arboretum on Shady Lane has 500 speices set in 54 acres, and the university of Leicester Botanical gardens have 16 acres of rare plants. many importance to drought areas. The black swan is an old, daunting building surrounded by ultra new offices yet steped in history. It now has a complete paris street scean in the bar, and is used by actors appering at the nearby thetre.
