Rushey Mead Library

Rushey Mead Library sits just outside Leicester and serves as a proper community hub rather than the dusty archive you might expect. It's a working library with all the usual stock - books, audiobooks, computers - but what makes it worth a visit is that it actually feels like somewhere locals want to be, not somewhere they're forced to go.

The space itself is modern and airy, which matters when you're stuck indoors. If you've got teenagers who need somewhere to study during the school holidays, or younger kids who'll spend an afternoon losing themselves in the children's section, this place does the job well. Adults after a bit of quiet time with a good read will find it equally welcoming. The staff know what they're talking about and aren't the sort to give you a withering look if you ask for recommendations.

It's free to use - that's the best bit - and you can easily spend two to three hours here without feeling rushed. Admission requires joining, which takes minutes, and there's reasonable parking nearby. Summer hours can be dodgy, so ring ahead before you go.

If you're staying at Village Farm Getaway or Reas Glamping Retreat - both less than six miles away - and the weather turns ugly, Rushey Mead beats sitting in a caravan watching the rain. It's not a destination in itself, mind, but as a rainy-day backup during a Leicestershire park holiday, it's genuinely useful.