Wigston

Wigston, also known as Wigston Magna, is a substantial town in the Oadby and Wigston district of Leicestershire, sitting just four miles south of Leicester city centre. With a population of 37,261 in 2024, Wigston offers residents the ideal balance of small-town character, a deep historical identity rooted in the framework knitting trade, and genuinely practical access to Leicester for work and leisure. Whether you are a first-time buyer searching for affordable property close to the city, a family looking for good schools and green spaces, or a homeowner considering selling your property without paying estate agent commission, this guide gives you an accurate and original picture of Wigston in 2026.

Browse verified property listings in and around Wigston directly on the YooSell Find a Home platform, with no agent fees and no third-party delays between buyer and seller.

About Wigston?

Wigston is a town in the Oadby and Wigston district of Leicestershire, England, located just south of Leicester on the A5199. It had a population of 37,261 in 2024 and sits at the centre of Leicestershire and the East Midlands, four miles south of Leicester city. Oadby lies one mile to the east, connected via the B582 road, while South Wigston sits one mile to the west along Blaby Road. The Grand Union Canal runs along a southern route below the town, passing through Newton Harcourt, Kilby Bridge, South Wigston, Glen Parva, and Blaby on its way towards Leicester.

One of the earliest records of Wigston appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is recorded as Wichingstone, among the lands held by Hugh de Grandmesnil for the King. In the Middle Ages it was known as Wigston Two Spires, owing to its two medieval churches, All Saints' and St Wistan's, the latter named for a Mercian prince regarded as a martyr after his assassination. All Saints' Church remains a fine medieval building in the Transitional style, with a western steeple considered one of the finest in the county.

Wigston was the subject of W.G. Hoskins's pioneering historical study The Midland Peasant, which traced the social history of the town from its earliest recorded history into the 19th century. The town's economy was for centuries built around framework knitting and hosiery manufacture, with firms including Two Steeples, George Deacon and Sons, Wigston Co-Operative Hosiers, A.H. Broughton, and William Holmes all operating in the town. This heritage is preserved today at the local Framework Knitters Museum. Wigston has a number of notable historical connections, including Abigail Herrick, mother of Jonathan Swift, the author of Gulliver's Travels, and former Leicester Tigers and England rugby scrum-half Harry Ellis, who attended Bushloe High School in the town.

Wigston Property Market 2026

Wigston offers a genuinely accessible property market within commuting distance of Leicester, with a wide range of housing types reflecting both its historic town centre and substantial post-war suburban development.

Property Market Overview

According to property market analysis based on HM Land Registry data, Wigston recorded 490 residential property sales over the past 12 months, with a median sale price of £270,000. This places Wigston approximately £15,000 above the Leicestershire county median of £255,000, and approximately £15,000 below the UK national median of £285,000, positioning the town firmly in the middle of the regional market. Within Leicestershire, Wigston ranks second by price among the county's seven principal towns. Property prices in Wigston have shown a moderate decline of approximately 3.6% year-on-year, reflecting broader market conditions across the wider Leicestershire area, which has seen a similar fall of 3.8% over the same period.

The LE18 postcode covering Wigston has an average property price of approximately £276,978, which is 20% below the Leicestershire county average and close to the England and Wales national average. House prices in the LE18 postcode area fell by 6.3% over the past 12 months, while remaining broadly flat over a five-year period.

Property Types in Wigston

Property prices in Wigston vary significantly by type. Detached homes in the town command an average of approximately £370,000, while flat properties are the most accessible at approximately £119,000, reflecting a spread of more than £250,000 between the most and least expensive property types and indicating a genuinely diverse market with opportunities across the spectrum for different types of buyer. New-build properties in Wigston traded at a substantial premium of 51.9% versus existing stock, demonstrating strong buyer demand for modern housing in the town.

The Rental Market in Wigston

Wigston sits within the Oadby and Wigston district, where average private rents reached £1,022 per month in April 2026, an annual increase of 5.5% from £969 in April 2025, according to ONS Price Index of Private Rents data. This growth was notably higher than the East Midlands regional rise of 3.8% over the same period. In Oadby and Wigston, average rent for two-bedroom properties rose by 5.9% over the year, while four-or-more bedroom properties saw rents rise by 4.6%, reflecting consistent demand across all property sizes.

How Much Could You Save Selling Without an Agent?

Traditional estate agents typically charge between 1% and 3% commission on the final sale price. On a Wigston property sold at the median of £270,000, that commission can represent several thousand pounds deducted directly from your proceeds at completion. With YooSell, you pay a fixed monthly fee from just £49.50 and keep 100% of your agreed sale price. You can also list your property on Rightmove through YooSell directly, giving your home full visibility on the UK's biggest property portal without paying estate agent commission. Use the free YooSell Cost Saving Calculator to see exactly what you could keep based on your own property value.

Best Areas and Neighbourhoods in Wigston

Wigston's residential character is shaped by its mix of post-war private suburban housing estates surrounding the old town centre and 19th century buildings sandwiched between more modern housing developments. Understanding the town's different areas helps buyers focus their search.

Wigston Town Centre and Central Areas

The town centre and the surrounding Central and Aylestone Lane areas offer a walkable lifestyle within easy reach of the shops, cafes, and amenities along Wigston's main shopping streets. This area is popular with buyers and renters who want easy access to everyday convenience without needing to drive, with a strong mix of period properties and more recent infill development.

Wigston Fields

Wigston Fields is a popular residential area favoured by families due to its quieter streets, access to local schools, and proximity to parks and green spaces. Glenmere Community Primary School, rated Good by Ofsted, is located in this part of the town, making it a sought-after address for families with young children.

Little Hill

The Little Hill area is another well-regarded residential neighbourhood in Wigston, similarly valued for its family-friendly character, quieter streets, and proximity to local schools and parks. Little Hill Primary School, also rated Good by Ofsted, serves this part of the town.

South Wigston

South Wigston, approximately one mile west of Wigston town centre along Blaby Road, has its own distinct identity and railway station on the Birmingham to Peterborough line, providing rail access that the rest of Wigston does not have directly within walking distance. South Leicestershire College, a large further education provider rated Good by Ofsted, was rebuilt on Canal Street in South Wigston in 2010 and serves the wider area.

Surrounding Villages

Wigston sits close to a number of attractive south Leicestershire villages along the Grand Union Canal corridor, including Newton Harcourt, Kilby Bridge, Glen Parva, and Blaby. These communities offer a more rural alternative for buyers who want to remain close to Wigston's amenities while enjoying a quieter village setting.

Search for available properties across Wigston and the surrounding area on the YooSell Find a Home platform.

Schools in Wigston

Wigston offers a genuinely strong range of educational options for families, with multiple Good-rated primary schools, a secondary academy, and a major further education college all located within the town.

Primary Schools in Wigston

Glenmere Community Primary School

Glenmere Community Primary School, located on Wigston Fields, Wigston LE18 1HB, holds an Ofsted rating of Good and serves families in the Wigston Fields area of the town.

Little Hill Primary School

Little Hill Primary School, on Launceston Road, Wigston LE18 2GZ, holds an Ofsted rating of Good and serves the Little Hill area of the town.

All Saints Church of England Primary School

All Saints Church of England Primary School, on Long Street, Wigston LE18 2BP, holds an Ofsted rating of Good and provides a faith-based primary education option for families in the town centre area.

Secondary School in Wigston

Wigston Academy

Wigston Academy, on Station Road, Wigston LE18 2DS, holds an Ofsted rating of Good and serves as the main secondary school for the town. The school's predecessor, Bushloe High School, counted former Leicester Tigers and England rugby scrum-half Harry Ellis among its students.

Further Education and Special Needs Provision

South Leicestershire College on Blaby Road, South Wigston LE18 4PH holds an Ofsted rating of Good and is a major further education provider serving Wigston and the wider south Leicestershire area, having been rebuilt on its current Canal Street site in 2010. Wigston Birkett House Community Special School is located in the town and serves children with special educational needs from across the wider area. Families with children who have additional needs should contact Leicestershire County Council's SEND team to discuss eligibility and available provision.

Higher Education Within Reach of Wigston

De Montfort University and the University of Leicester are both located in Leicester city centre, approximately 15 to 20 minutes from Wigston by car or public transport, giving residents excellent access to two well-regarded universities without needing to relocate.

Transport and Commuting from Wigston

Wigston's position just four miles south of Leicester, combined with its rail connections and good road access, makes it a genuinely practical base for commuters working in the city or further afield.

Rail Connections

South Wigston railway station, approximately one mile from Wigston town centre, lies on the Birmingham to Peterborough Line and provides direct services to Leicester in approximately 8 minutes and Birmingham New Street in approximately 50 to 60 minutes. Commuters can also travel via Leicester railway station itself, which offers direct services to London, Sheffield, and Nottingham, giving Wigston residents a genuinely comprehensive set of rail options for both local and longer-distance travel.

Road Access

Wigston has easy access to the M1 motorway, approximately 15 minutes away, and routes towards the M69, approximately 20 minutes away, providing quick connections to Birmingham, Coventry, and Nottingham. The A5199 runs through the town, connecting Wigston directly to Leicester city centre to the north.

Bus Services

Wigston is well served by local bus services connecting the town to Leicester city centre, Oadby, South Wigston, and the surrounding villages, providing a practical alternative to driving for residents who commute into the city regularly.

Air Travel

East Midlands Airport is approximately 22 miles from Wigston, around a 35-minute drive, providing both domestic and international flights for residents who travel frequently.

Living in Wigston: Culture, Heritage and Community

Wigston Town Centre and Shopping

Wigston town centre offers a genuine mix of national retailers and local independent businesses, giving shopping enthusiasts a varied choice without needing to travel into Leicester. The town has a good selection of supermarkets, cafes, pharmacies, and banks, ensuring residents can manage everyday life without long journeys. A J.D. Wetherspoon pub, opened in 1997 on the main shopping street and refurbished in 2015, is a popular feature of the town centre, offering a large open-plan lounge with views over the street.

Heritage and the Framework Knitters Museum

The Framework Knitting Museum in Wigston offers a fascinating insight into the town's most important historical industry. Framework knitting and hosiery manufacture were central to Wigston's economy from the 17th to 19th centuries, and the museum preserves this heritage for residents and visitors alike. All Saints' Church, the fine medieval church at the heart of the historic town, remains an important landmark, alongside St Wistan's Church, the second of the town's two historic medieval churches that gave rise to the name Wigston Two Spires.

Bushloe House

Bushloe House, the former offices of Oadby and Wigston Borough Council until 2023, was originally built around 1850 and extended around 1880. The interior decoration and much of the furniture, and possibly the design of the extension itself, were carried out by the renowned designer Christopher Dresser for the original owner, solicitor Hiram Abiff Owston. The house remains a significant piece of the town's Victorian heritage.

Green Spaces and Outdoor Life

Wigston is well provided with green spaces for residents who enjoy the outdoors. Peace Memorial Park and Aylestone Lane Park are both popular destinations within the town, offering open space for families and recreation. The Grand Union Canal, running along the southern edge of Wigston through South Wigston, Glen Parva, and Blaby, provides extensive towpath walking and cycling routes connecting the town to the wider south Leicestershire countryside.

Wistow Maze

Wistow Maze, a short distance from Wigston, is one of the country's largest maize mazes and offers a popular day out for families, particularly during the summer months when the maze is at its most impressive.

Community Life

Wigston has a genuine sense of community, with the Greater Wigston Historical Society organising discussions and events exploring the town's local history and heritage. The town hosts community events, clubs, and sports facilities throughout the year, giving residents of all ages plenty of opportunities to get involved.

Safety in Wigston

According to data based on the latest crime statistics, the LE18 postcode covering Wigston has a crime rate of 57.0 recorded crimes per 1,000 residents, which is approximately 30% below the national average of 81.3 per 1,000, making it a comparatively safe area within the East Midlands.

Healthcare in Wigston

Wigston has a range of GP surgeries serving the town and the surrounding area, providing accessible primary care for residents. For specialist or emergency hospital treatment, Leicester Royal Infirmary and the wider University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust are accessible within approximately 15 to 20 minutes by car, given the town's proximity to the city.

Selling Your Home in Wigston with YooSell

If you are considering selling your Wigston property, YooSell offers a genuinely better alternative to the traditional high street estate agency model. YooSell is a self-service home-selling platform built for homeowners across Leicestershire and the wider Midlands, giving you complete control of your sale at a fraction of the cost of a conventional agent.

Why Wigston Homeowners Choose YooSell

With YooSell, you pay no commission at any stage of the sale process. You pay a simple fixed monthly fee from £49.50 and keep 100% of your agreed sale price. There is no percentage cut at completion, no hidden extras, and no agent taking a share of the equity you have built in your home.

You can list your property on Rightmove through YooSell directly, putting your Wigston home in front of millions of active property buyers on the UK's biggest portal without instructing a traditional estate agent. You set your own asking price, manage your own viewings on your own schedule, and respond to offers entirely on your own terms. Every buyer on the platform is ID-verified and financially qualified before making an offer, so you only deal with serious, genuine purchasers. When you accept an offer, access trusted conveyancers and legal partners directly through your YooSell dashboard, keeping the process streamlined from acceptance through to completion.

Free Tools for Wigston Buyers and Sellers

Make use of the free planning tools available through YooSell before listing or making an offer:

• Valuation Calculator to estimate your Wigston property's current market value

• Cost Saving Calculator to see exactly how much you save versus a traditional agent on your sale

• Mortgage Calculator to plan your next purchase and understand your monthly repayments

• Stamp Duty Calculator to calculate your full tax liability before you exchange contracts

• YooSell Pricing Plans to choose the listing tier that fits your sale