Oadby and Wigston

district, England, United Kingdom

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Article History

Oadby and Wigston, borough (district), administrative and historic county of Leicestershire, England. Both Oadby and Wigston, formerly villages lying outside the city of Leicester, have been engulfed by the outward spread of the city’s suburbs. They lie to the southeast and south, respectively, of the city’s centre. Oadby is almost entirely residential, while Wigston is both residential and industrial, lying close to canal, rail, and river routes. Oadby is the site of the University of Leicester Botanic Garden. The history of Leicestershire’s textile industry is on display at the Framework Knitters Museum in Wigston. Area 9 square miles (24 square km). Pop. (2001) 55,795; (2011) 56,170.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Jeff Wallenfeldt.