Loughborough Car Hire

Things to do in Loughborough

Visit the Quaint old market & Town Centre

The Carillion Court in the centre of town and has a lot to offer. It's Loughborough's major shopping centre with over 35 high street names under one roof. 5 minutes in all directions you can find cinemas, Holland and Barrett’s, gyms, Sainsbury’s and all other matter of things you could need.

Check out the Art Deco Architecture

Loughborough went through a flurry of construction in the 1930s, which left the town with a lot of Art Deco architecture. So, pack your day bag and camera, and head out on an ancient architecture hunt. On Market Street and Market Place, you'll find beautiful elevations even if there are chain stores on the ground floor. Look for the Loughborough echo building on Swan Street and the curving Beacon Bingo building (originally an Odeon cinema) on Baxter Gate, covered with glazed faience tiles. Another building that stands out, is the current Odeon cinema on Cattle Market, in a Grade II-listed building from 1936. This is spotted by its tower with geometric ridges, above a patterned frieze tracing the cornice.

Learn about The World's Largest Working Bell Foundry - John Taylor & Co

This Bell Foundry is not only the largest working in the world, but also the only one still operating in England. A place where bells are cast, repaired and retuned, the foundry is rare as it continues to be housed in factory buildings from the Victorian period. John Taylor & Co has a history that can be traced back to the 1300s and has cast bells for cathedrals and churches around the world, from Yale University to the Australian National Carillon in Canberra. Check out the John Taylor & co website to pre-book tickets to visit the museum. Many have stated that the visit is worthwhile for the detailed factory tour and the chance to see molten bronze being poured into moulds as well as having a go at ringing gigantic bells!

Explore Charnwood Museum

Loughborough’s largest museum is housed in the former baths in the northwest corner of Queen’s Park. It's a great day out, as you can learn about Charnwood’s old trades such as basket-weaving and oak carving, as well as being taken back in time to over 600 million years ago when Charnwood was all volcanic. You'll see prehistoric pottery, the genuine fossilised remains of an ichthyosaur, and a Bronze Age burial dating back 4,000 years.

Get in a Workout at the Climbing Centre

If you love activities and climbing then you're in for a treat! Loughborough has an AMAZING unique climbing centre on Empress Road. You can participate casually, or enter a competition, but you are guaranteed a good time. And most likely guaranteed a sore body the day after! But it'll be worth it!

Attend a Sports Event

Loughborough University being one of the best sports universities in the world is bound to have its perks. If you're a sports fan, then you simply cannot miss attending one of the University's sporting events! The games range from football matches, rugby, tennis, to water polo! Despite the competitors being students, the games are played at an extremely high and entertaining level.

Take a Walk through Queen's Park

This is a cultured Victorian park, inaugurated in 1899 to honour Queen’s Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee. You can pop into Charnwood museum from here after admiring the symmetrical formal flowerbeds and shrubs. If you're visiting during summer, make sure to check the Charnwood council website for details of regular concerts that take place at the bandstand. The park also has a play area for under 12s, as well as swings and obstacles for older kids. Sometimes on display will be creative sculptures by the art students from Loughborough University.

Whatton House and Gardens

Now this charming 19th-century estate is owned by Lord and Lady Cranshaw. It is their private home and closed to the public, however you can enjoy the 15-acre gardens of this Neoclassical house, from Sunday to Friday. You’ll love the woodland garden during Spring, as it's carpeted with flowering bulbs, while the old-fashioned rose garden is a treat for the eyes during summer, and has glorious views over Charnwood Forest. You can also explore the working kitchen garden, enclosed by a high brick wall, which also shelters a stunning herbaceous border. Whilst you're there, make sure you check out the stone loggia, bark summerhouse and the Chinese garden, which has replica terracotta warriors. And on Sunday afternoons there's a tearoom open to the public!

Eating Out in Loughborough

Foodies are going to be in HEAVEN in this Town, as not only is eating out affordable, but there's a huge range of different restaurants, excellent pubs and an award-winning curry! Be it fast food, high-class dinners, or traditional English pub food, everything is on offer in Loughborough town. You can head to the griffin for a slightly more expensive pub lunch, or to the well-known Wetherspoons chain pubs of which there are two in Loughborough for a cheaper yet tasty meal.

Transport in Loughborough

Loughborough is in a fantastic location, as it's in the middle of the UK, with cheap and easy transport links to both the North and South of England. You're only 20 minutes away from both Nottingham and Leicester. One hour to Sheffield, Leeds & Birmingham. And there are over 40 trains daily to and from London St Pancras which is around 90 minutes away. You could travel by either bus (the less expensive option) or by train which will be quicker. Travelling around the Town is also simple as there is a fantastic local bus services such as Kinchbus, Arriva, Trent Barton and Paul S Winson. Don't forget that Loughborough is a student town so all the services and facilities that you could possibly need, would all be available!