Loughborough

This university town located in the heart of Leicestershire is a place where you can experience the buzz of student activity and at the same time enjoy the peace of the great outdoors.  It has a wide array of different activities catering to all ages and interests. Steeped in history, it is home to the Great Central Railway station a number of old-world traditional pubs.

Visitors to the area are able to take part in a number of wonderful outdoor activities from walking to horse riding. Depending on how you want to explore the city, will depend on your mode of transport. Bikes can be hired from a number of different outlets or if you’re game, saddle up a horse and be on your way.

Today Loughborough is more famous for its grandiose university campus that specializes in sport.

Loughborough Town Hall

Erected in 1855, the Loughborough Town Hall is located in the heart of the city. Its impressive grand structure will leave visitors in awe. Check out their website to see what’s going on. It’s known to host some spectacular affordable events including exhibitions, concerts, musicals and even comedy shows.

Charnwood Museum

Charnwood Museum is an absolute must if visiting Loughborough. It has something for everyone and the range of subjects and themes it covers is simply amazing. You’ll learn about local and regional history, geology, industries and archaeology of Charnwood. It is home to a number of permanent displays such as ‘The Natural World of Charnwood’ and ‘Living off the Land’ and there are also a number of interesting visiting exhibitions that catch the attention of history buffs and curious visitors. Every exhibit displayed in the old red brick building carefully shows a clear contrast between the past and the present through a range of traditional exhibits and the more modern interactive displays.

Pretend that you’re explorers and geologists and take the opportunity to handle volcanic rocks. Let your imagination run wild and walk beneath the city’s famous giant oak tree. Prepare to become detectives as you investigate the death and burial of the Cossington Boy from over 4000 years ago. This is one museum where you and your family will never get bored.

Carillon Tower and War Memorial

This brick tower is unique to Britain and it’s the only one its kind. After WWI, it was solemnly erected in memory of those veterans of the town who selflessly gave up their lives for freedom. Located within the beautiful grounds of Queen’s Park, this war memorial tower is home to a small museum that’s dedicated to showcasing a range of war memorabilia. Climb the twisting 138 steps up past the 47 different bells and you’ll find yourself on the tower’s balcony that allows you to look out across the historic lands of Loughborough.

All Saint’s Church

This monstrosity of a church is a true example of the great Victorian architecture. Visitors to the church are able to visit for free and reflect quietly in the pews. All Saint’s church has a large west tower, nave, both north and south aisles, a two-storey south porch and a chancel. The west tower is the oldest part of the original church and it’s thought to date back to as far as 1450. Even though there are no grand monuments to see as such, there are some intriguing memorials to be found in the chancel. Parking is restricted close to the church, but it’s easily accessible from the centre by foot.

Bradgate Park

This is one of the UK’s oldest reserves and dates back 800 years ago when it was first used as an enclosed deer park. It extends over 830 acres of countryside that the public are able to access freely. Its unusual rugged landscape is unexpected and the dramatic outcrops and twisted old oak trees that date back 500 years are a wonder to see so close to a city centre.

Bradgate Park caters to all fitness levels. If you’re not into fitness too much and don’t really fancy trekking over the rolling hills and rocky crags, you can take a more leisurely walk over the lower area of the park which is easily accessible and pushchair and wheelchair friendly. If you’re looking for a family day out and a picnic is on the cards, the Lower Park is a favourite spot for many. It is where you can watch the deer roam while the children play in the shallow waters of the River Lin.