Discover Loughborough

If you’re looking for a hotel in Loughborough, you can plan your stay around the things that interest you most: railway history, historic places in the town centre or time in green spaces. The town offers a range of ways to explore these themes, from the Great Central Railway station to the Heritage Trail, parks and natural areas.

Railway history and bell founding

The Great Central Railway is the UK’s only double-track heritage railway running on a main line. Its main hub is Loughborough Central, whose station opened in 1899. This brings the railway’s distinctive track layout and the history of its central station into focus.

Taylor’s Bellfoundry also offers an insight into traditional craftsmanship. The tour takes visitors through the Victorian factory and includes the carpentry shop, tuning shop and a viewing platform in the foundry. In addition to the factory tour, visitors can watch a live bell casting from a dedicated platform. Whether this experience is available depends on the programme. As booking and operating details may change, check the latest tour information before making plans.

Town centre, market and Carillon

The central Market Place is a pedestrianised area with a varied programme of markets and events. Loughborough Market has been running for more than 800 years. The Market Place therefore brings together a long market tradition and a square where markets and events are part of the present-day offering. If a particular date is important to your trip, check the event dates in advance.

Loughborough Carillon houses the first major carillon in the UK. Its tower contains 47 bells, cast by Taylor & Co of Loughborough. The Carillon Tower was established as a memorial to those who died in the two world wars; a museum in the tower preserves local history. From the upper part of the Carillon, you can look out over Queen’s Park and towards Charnwood Forest.

Parks, nature and trails

Queen’s Park is in the centre of Loughborough and opened in 1899 to mark Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. Its features include open lawns, tree-lined paths, colourful flower beds and seating. There are several ways to experience the park: through its design, its history or as a place to take a break outdoors.

If you’d like to include nature and open countryside in your stay, Loughborough Big Meadow is a 45-hectare, species-rich hay meadow. Wildflowers and diverse birdlife along the river characterise the area. Charnwood Water offers something different: it is a good place for walking, running and enjoying nature. From Tuckers Road, Charnwood Water is accessible on foot, by bicycle, car or bus; there are additional pedestrian and cycle access points from Leicester Road. These access routes can help you plan a suitable way to get there.

The Loughborough Heritage Trail is an augmented-reality walking tour of historic buildings and landmarks in the town centre. It has 15 stops and takes about an hour.

Discover more destinations: Knipton, Moira, Sapcote, Lutterworth, Sproxton, Croxton Kerrial, Kegworth, Measham

For the broader travel overview: Leicestershire.