Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)
Melton Mowbray Town Estate
Back to our Roots - The Story of Melton Mowbray Town Estate Parks
| — | Play Close | — |
Photographed by Ray Gurganus, May 5, 2026
1. Melton Mowbray Town Estate Marker
The History of the Play Close
In 1848, the townspeople of Melton used the Play Close for shows, recreation and stalls at fair time. With Lord Melbourne's agents allowing pig sties and other buildings on the adjoining land, many of the townsfolk thought this was an enfringement of their ancient rights. The buildings were pulled down in what subsequently has been referred to as the 'Play Close Riots'.
Shortly afterwards, in 1850, the Play Close was purchased by Messrs. T. Ward and W.T. Tuxford, serving members of the Town Estate. They bought the Play Close on the understanding that they would sell it on to the town when the funds became available.
The Town Estate purchased the Play Close in 1866 for £170, later enlarging it in 1872 and 1886 respectively to the area it is today.
The Melton Mowbray Show
Since 1983, the Play Close has been at the heart of one of the UK's biggest and best family shows.
Over the years the Melton Mowbray Show has brought the finest acts to the town, including the famous King's Troop Musical Ride, the Household Cavalry, the Band of the Royal Marines and top Naval acts, HMS Daedalus
this page online
The event, which first took place in 1983, has a reputation for excellence throughout the East Midlands and has annually attracted visitors in their tens of thousands. It has become a major tourist attraction in the area and a place where local and regional charities and worthwhile organisations have raised, as a conservative estimate, more than a quarter of a million pounds for their own funds.
The Melton Hunt
On 1st January 1983, the Town Estate introduced the 'New Year's Day Meet', with the three Hunts; Belvoir, Cottesmore and Quorn, taking turns to participate. The Millenium Day Meet, 1st January 2000, was unique as all three Hunts met together in the Play Close. For safety reasons the 'New Year's Day Meet' now takes place there.
Melton Mowbray Town Estate, owners of The Play Close, are hosts for the Meet and supply the stirrup cup.
Erected by Heritage Lottery Fund.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1848.
Location. 52° 45.789′ N, 0° 53.181′ W. Marker is in Melton Mowbray, England, in Leicestershire. It is on Burton Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8 Burton Street, Melton Mowbray, England LE13 1AY, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Midlands. Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean, in the North Atlantic Region, in Europe, in Atlantic Europe, on one of the British Isles, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 14 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The London Road (a few steps from this marker); Burton Street (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Melton Mowbray Town Estate (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Melton Mowbray Town Estate (about 90 meters away); a different marker also named Melton Mowbray Town Estate (about 150 meters away); King Street (about 210 meters away); The Medieval Garden King Street (about 240 meters away); Hudson's Cottage (approx. 14.6 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Melton Mowbray.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 15, 2026, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photo 1. submitted on October 15, 2026, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. photo of the marker within its surroundings • Can you help?
