Top 15 Activities and Attractions in Loughborough, Leicestershire

Not far north of Leicester, Loughborough is a university town situated in the Charnwood Forest.

Loughborough University has experienced significant growth in the last few decades, leading to a demographic where one in four residents is a student.

The town is renowned internationally for its bell-making heritage.

The John Taylor & Co Bell Foundry stands as the last foundry in the UK, producing bells for St Paul’s Cathedral as well as various churches and institutions globally.

The Great Central Railway, which originates from Loughborough, is the only remaining steam railway on the UK’s mainline. Furthermore, Queen’s Park is a sophisticated Victorian urban park, featuring the Charnwood Museum and the notable Loughborough Carillon.

Let us delve into the top attractions in Loughborough:

1. Great Central Railway (GCR)

As the only double track mainline steam railway in the UK, the Great Central Railway is situated in Loughborough.

The railway extends 8.25 miles between Loughborough Central and Leicester North.

Departing from Loughborough, the GCR stops at three restored stations along the former Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Railway, which ceased operations in 1969. The line boasts a collection of passenger and freight steam engines from the early 20th century, with rides offered in British Mark I carriages reminiscent of the 1950s.

Services are available every weekend throughout the year, in addition to weekdays during the summer holidays.

As of 2018, an all-day ticket was priced at £17 for adults and £9 for children.

2. Queen’s Park

A culturally significant Victorian park, Queen’s Park was inaugurated in 1899 to commemorate the queen’s diamond jubilee.

Within its premises, several notable attractions can be found, including the Charnwood Museum and the Loughborough Carillon.

The park also features a bandstand, surrounded by symmetrical formal flowerbeds and shrubs.

For information on the regular concerts that occur at the bandstand during the summer, refer to the Charnwood council website.

The park offers a play area for children under 12, as well as swings and obstacles for older kids, in addition to aviaries and frequent exhibitions of sculptures crafted by art students from Loughborough University.

3. Charnwood Museum

Loughborough’s largest museum is situated in the historic baths located in the northwestern corner of Queen’s Park.

This museum allows visitors to explore Charnwood’s ancient trades, such as basket weaving and oak carving, alongside its volcanic history that dates back 600 million years.

Noteworthy exhibits include a full-size replica of the Barrow Kipper, a plesiosaur found near Barrow upon Soar in 1851, as well as the authentic fossilized remains of an ichthyosaur.

Additional displays include prehistoric pottery, an Anglo-Saxon gold sword pommel, and the Cossington Boy, a Bronze Age burial artifact dating back 4,000 years.

Suspended from the museum’s ceiling is an aircraft produced by Auster, a local aviation company active in Thurmaston during the mid-20th century.

4. Loughborough Carillon

A prominent landmark visible from great distances, the 46-meter carillon located in Queen’s Park was constructed as a memorial in the aftermath of the First World War.

Featuring neo-Baroque architecture, it draws inspiration from the renowned belfries of Flanders, the site of significant British Army losses during the war.

This Grade II-listed structure contains 47 bells produced at the historic John Taylor & Co foundry, the topic of the subsequent section.

At the time of writing this article in 2018, the tower was undergoing conservation in preparation for the centenary of the end of the First World War.

Typically, the bells chime on Thursdays and Sundays (1:00 PM – 2:00 PM) during the summer months.

Visitors can access the military museums housed within the first and second floors, and the bell chamber and balcony on the third floor.

5. John Taylor & Co Bell Foundry Museum

Loughborough is the site of the world’s largest working bell foundry, and the only one still operational in England.

John Taylor & Co has a storied history that dates back to the 1300s and has crafted bells for numerous cathedrals and churches worldwide, including Yale University and the Australian National Carillon in Canberra.

The foundry, where bells are cast, repaired, and retuned, is uniquely situated within Victorian-era factory buildings.

This site includes a campanile containing the most pealed bells globally.

Visits to the museum require prior arrangements but offer a valuable factory tour and the opportunity to observe molten bronze being poured into molds, as well as the chance to ring large bells.

6. Art Deco Architecture

Dramatic architectural development in Loughborough during the 1930s resulted in a wealth of Art Deco buildings.

This architectural style is prominently featured along Market Street and in Market Place, despite some ground floor chain stores.

Notable structures to observe include the Loughborough Echo building on Swan Street and the gracefully curved Beacon Bingo building (originally an Odeon cinema) on Baxter Gate, adorned with glazed faience tiles.

Another noteworthy landmark is the current Odeon cinema on Cattle Market, residing in a Grade II-listed building constructed in 1936. Its distinctive tower with geometric ridges is complemented by a patterned frieze marking the cornice.

7. Whatton House and Gardens

This 19th-century estate is the residence of Lord and Lady Cranshaw.

The Neoclassical house serves as their private residence and is not accessible to the public, however, the 15-acre gardens are open from Sunday to Friday.

During spring, visitors can admire the woodland garden, which is adorned with flowering bulbs, whereas the old-fashioned rose garden offers splendid views over the Charnwood Forest in summer.

Additionally, there is a functioning kitchen garden surrounded by a tall brick wall, which enhances a beautiful herbaceous border.

Other highlights of the gardens include the stone loggia, bark summerhouse, and a Chinese garden featuring replica terracotta warriors.

A tearoom is available, operating on Sunday afternoons.

8. Beacon Hill Country Park

For those seeking a respite in nature, Beacon Hill Country Park is a remarkable choice, encompassing 330 acres surrounding one of the tallest hills in Leicestershire.

Once crowned by a Bronze Age fort, Beacon Hill (248 m) is comprised of igneous rock from an extinct volcano.

The summit features a toposcope that indicates various distant landmarks such as the hills of the Peak District to the north and the spire of Lincoln Cathedral to the east.

The park is predominantly heathland grazed by sheep, cattle, and alpacas (which assist in sheep protection). Nearby the lower car park, a new Native Tree Collection highlights 28 native trees and shrubs found throughout the British Isles.

9. Loughborough Town Hall

Overlooking the Market Place, Loughborough Town Hall is a prominent structure originally built as a corn exchange and ballroom in 1855. It was established following a petition by local tradesmen for a communal gathering space.

Rather than serving as an administrative building, the Town Hall functions as a center for entertainment, acting as Loughborough’s primary theatre.

It features a diverse program of events, including children’s matinees with popular characters, insightful talks from notable cultural figures, performances by renowned comedians, touring bands, musicals, plays, and more.

10. All Saints Church and Old Rectory

Primarily dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries, Loughborough’s parish church exemplifies the Perpendicular and Decorated Gothic architectural styles.

This church is representative of the wool churches, enhanced by the prosperity of the local wool industry, making it one of the largest parish churches in the country.

Extensive restoration took place in the 19th century, and its charm can be found in the intricate tracery of the chancel and clerestory windows.

Seek out the poignant 17th-century monument dedicated to Joanna Walters, framed by angelic carvings and depicting the shrouded bodies of a woman and two infants.

Adjacent to the church is the Old Rectory, a former manor house featuring arches that date back to the 13th century.

Inside, a museum operated by the Loughborough Archaeological and Historical Society opens on Saturdays during the summer.

11. Outwoods

The northern part of Leicestershire is encompassed within the National Forest, which spans 200 square miles in Central England.

The National Forest initiative focuses on planting extensive numbers of new trees, connecting patches of existing ancient woodlands.

One such ancient woodland is located just southwest of Loughborough.

Awarded the Green Flag, Outwoods is recognized as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, encompassing 110 acres of ancient oaks, birches, and wet alders.

The area also features younger conifers, which were planted following periods of clear-cutting in the early 20th century.

Like much of the Charnwood area, Outwoods boasts compelling geological elements, highlighted by pre-Cambrian outcrops.

Visiting in April or May is recommended to witness the spectacular bloom of bluebells.

12. Loughborough Market

Operated every Thursday and Saturday in the Market Place, Loughborough’s retail market received the title of the Best Outdoor Market in Britain at the British Market of the Year Awards in 2017. The market is praised for attracting vendors through rent discounts and fostering interactions with Loughborough University by engaging traders on campus.

The market has been integral to Loughborough’s community life since the 13th century, offering fresh produce, flowers, clothing, antiques, handmade crafts, sweets, home goods, and a range of other items.

13. Manor Farm Park and Woodlands

A delightful destination for children, Manor Farm Park is an animal attraction celebrated for its donkey rides.

Many of the animals here, including the donkeys, are rescued rather than bred on the farm.

Visitors can also engage with various owls, rabbits, guinea pigs, ducks, geese, pigs, chickens, and peacocks in the Animal Barn.

The extensive woodland provides ample opportunities for exploration along walking trails, nature spotting, and pond dipping to discover local wildlife, in addition to the Adventure Play Fort.

14. Stonebow Bridge

Situated on the western edge of Loughborough in Garendon Park, this picturesque stone bridge, believed to be of Medieval origin, spans the Black Brook.

Ideal for photography enthusiasts, the Stonebow Bridge is a Grade II-listed heritage site, featuring three arches that showcase a slight point, indicative of late-Gothic or Tudor styles. Nevertheless, its exact age remains uncertain.

The upstream side showcases pointed cutwaters, while the downstream side features platforms extending over the brook.

15. Loughborough Fair

The town was granted a charter to hold a fair by King Henry III in 1221, and this tradition has persisted for nearly 800 years.

Originally, during Medieval times, the Loughborough Fair served as a venue for trade, yet it has evolved into a festive event held in the Market Place around early November.

From Wednesday to Saturday, the fair features over twenty large fairground rides, dodgems, waltzers, and other amusements.

A designated “Kiddies’ Corner” provides entertainment for younger children, alongside numerous refreshment stands.