Anstey, a township and a parish formed in 1866, from Thurcaston parish, Leicester, on a branch of the river Soar, 4 miles NW of Leicester, and 1 1/2 N from Glenfield station on the M.R. The parish has a post and telegraph office under Leicester. Acreage, 784; population, 1759. The manor belonged to Ulverscroft Abbey, and went to the Greys of Groby. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Peterborough ; net value, £200. The church was rebuilt in 1850, but retains an ancient tower. There are Congregational, Primitive Methodist, and Wesleyan chapels.