Belgrave Rd

Ok once again Qype refuses to accept Leicester as a city and although I painstakingly dragged the map arrow miles up the M1 to the right place it still says Leicester Sq London. IT ISN’T!
Belgrave Road’s famous Golden Mile, celebrated for its beautiful sari shops, sweet shops and of course Indian restaurants.
Many is the day I have drooled over fabulous wedding clothes in a window. like something from an Arabian Nights princess movie. wildly expensive and of no use to me just so beautiful! I always spend a lot anyway but less than elsewhere. on a mix of stuff.
Visitors come from all over the world to buy silks, sarees, spices, jewellery and authentic Asian food along Belgrave Road — Leicester’s Golden Mile. a string of specialist Asian stores reputed to sell more gold than any singular region in Britain.
The origin of the name is often, mistakenly attributed to the many shops selling gold jewellery. In fact, the name was first used in the late 1960s and early 1970s when a proliferation of yellow-​amber traffic lights appeared along a short stretch of road (one mile to be exact). While commonplace now, at the time it was unique in Leicester. Now Leicester is frustrating traffic light land!
This is Asian (Indian) culture shown at its best.
People are friendly. There is a huge Bollywood cinema and the shops are open till late evening in the main.
The many gold jewellery shops (hence the name mix up) sparkle behind heavy security and the road is best described as colourful.
The smell of mouth-​watering spicy curry has the ability to make you hungry no matter when you last ate. I always made my way here in Leicester knowing I could buy veggie snacks in the daytime. The huge sweet shops are also very colourful.
So whether you have a craving for a korma, or fancy the feel of fabric, this is a shopping experience for you.
Saree Mandir:
This was one of the first saree shops to open down Belgrave Road and is worth checking out for its lovely sarees and gorgeous fabrics. As well as for practical use, another good idea is if you are starting University and want some funky material to drape over your bed, or to cover up those halls of residence walls! (Breeze block magnolia anyone?). Make up into clothes of your own.
Sarees start from as little as £4.99, and go up to over £1000.
The road has been described as the closest that Britain comes to an Indian bazaar. Give the pubs a miss though. went in one out of the rain and it was ols and dirty and I was the only female so was leered at.
This area of the city is also famous for its seasonal lights which combine to celebrate winter festivals including the Hindu celebration Diwali (Festival of Light) and Christmas. The Diwali celebrations in Leicester are focused on this area and are purported to be the largest outside of India. Definitely a place to visit if in the Leicester area. Packed with 40,000 people celebrating the Hindu festival of Diwali there are fireworks and lights all along the Belgrave Road.
An experience.
Belgrave Road also happens to be cheaper than the high street:
Silk really cheap, two pairs of sequined shoes for £17, a pink Khurti for £5 and wrist fulls of bracelets at £1 a pop.
The wedding clothing can be astronomical prices. However, for the sheer beauty of the garments, many are willing to pay the price.
And while you’re on Belgrave Road, don’t forget to check out the other shops. There are cash and carries that stock everything from Usted Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan CDs to religious icons to kitchen wear to hennainscence, fabrics, furniture, pashmina, western clothes.
Like I said I always end up carrying loads of purchases.