These photographs show a collection of buildings within the Evington Conservation area
This house was once a farm. A local farmer in Victorian times was called Piggy Wilson because he kept pigs on the land now known as Piggy’s Hollow a medieval moated site). It is said that he used to smear manure over the sides of the moat to discourage local children from playing there.This are a pair of semi detached houses on Church Road, built in the 1930s.Evington Village Hall on Church Road is also known as King George V hall and a history dating back to 1912. It us managed as a trust and has become a hub for community activities and events. There’s a large meeting room, stage, smaller side room, well-equipped kitchen and toilets.This modern house is the home of an old medieval barn, one of the oldest building in Evington. The walls were constructed using a combination of timber framing, wattle and daub (a mixture of mud, straw and dug). Its construction is cleverly incorporation into a modern sitting room.St. Denys Church is a grade II listed building at the junction of Church Road and Shady Lane. St. Denys is the patron saint of France, having been Bishop of Paris in the third century. He became a popular saint around the twelfth century in England. The recorded building of the church began around the year 1200, but it is likely there was a Saxon church on this site before this. The building has been added to with the South Aisle added at the beginning of the 14th Century and the North Aisle built in 1430. The cancel had to be rebuilt in 1867. The Clergy and Choir Vestries were built in 1957-58. The tower and spire are the only parts that remain of the original church. The church has 6 bells. In 2013 the old vestry building was demolished and a new Parish Centre was built with a large well equipped kitchen, toilets and a vestry.The entrance to St. Denys Parish Centre is through these glass doors or via the Church building. The Parish Centre was opened in 2013 byThis is a pair of 1950s semi-detached houses on Church Road. People walking by stop to admire the biodiversity of planting in these front gardens.This detached house was formerly a police house.This modern library building was built on the site of an old cottage called Mrs. Smalley’s cottage. You can check out Leicester City Council’s website for more information about opening times. In 2025, Leicester City Council said the library was open for a bid as a community library. Any bids have not yet been publicised.This building is now called Evington Park House or Evington House. It is situated in Evington park and was last used as a base for Park Services upstairs and community groups downstairs. In December 2023, park officers and all community groups were asked to leave. Most of the community groups found alternative venues in and around Evington Village, but sadly there was nowhere else for Evington Bicycle Club to go. Now the ivy is growing up and smothering the windows. A transfer by Friends of Evington and Best Community Charity for a CAT (Community Asset Transfer) was not successful. Evington House has features in it like a late 17th Century ceiling in the Panel Room and some 17th Century windows, that show it was not built in 1836. It is therefore likely that it was substantially altered in 1836 by Colonel John Dick Burnaby for his retirement home. It has stayed in private hands until 1947 when it was purchased at a knock down price by Leicester Corporation. During the First World War the house was used as a VAD (Voluntary Aided Detachment) hospital and during the 2nd World War it became the home for the Evington Home Guard Platoon (like Dad’s army).
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These are terraced houses on the road called The Common. They are named Burnaby Cottages after the Burnaby family, who used to live in Evington House. (Not called that until later.). The conservation officers at Leicester City Council think it is a pity that the two end houses have been painted white, as a terrace of orange brick would look better.Evington Chapel is a Grade II listed, Gothic-style Baptist Church built in 1837 between Main Street and High Street in Evington. It has a pipe organ inside that was originally built for Prince Albert, consort of Queen Victoria and is still in use today.
Excellent and informative Helen, many thanks!