Visit Loughborough & Charnwood
For nearly 600 million years the powerful forces of nature have been sculpting Charnwood's breath-taking landscapes. A fascinating destination promising a non-stop voyage of discovery from ancient origins to future potential. A centre for discovery, knowledge and enterprise that is shaping tomorrow's world.
Discover Loughborough’s Heritage through augmented reality. The trail takes in the historic buildings, places of interest and an insight into the town’s heritage within Loughborough town centre. Accessible to all, the trail takes approximately one hour to complete, but you may want to stop off for lunch on the way or a spot of retail therapy! There are 15 sites located around the town centre where the trail can be accessed, including The Sockman, Queen’s Park, Carillon and War Memorial. At each site you’ll hear about the history of the town with an audio description and accompanying video.
The 15 sites which are part of the Discover Loughborough Heritage Trail are:
- Queens Park - Charnwood Museum - Loughborough Bells (Queens Park) - Carillon Museum - Wards End - Devonshire Square/Cattle Market - Town Hall - Sockman - Market Place & Fearon Fountain - Ashby Square - The Rushes / Loughborough canal basin - All Saints Parish Church - Old Rectory Museum - Baxter Gate - Great Central Railway (Plaque of Thomas Cook on Southfields Park)
To take part in the Heritage Trail , all you need to do is:
Download the Free Love LoughboroughApp from the app store on your smartphone or tablet; Register your account or log in; Click 'Tours & Trails' and then 'Discover Loughborough Heritage Trail'; Find the location you are at and click on the link; Read the information about that site or building or click 'See Augmented Reality'; When on 'See Augmented Reality' use your camera to scan the barcode; Watch the video to learn more about Loughborough's history and enjoy!
Days out in Loughborough
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Bark and Brew coffee shop
Tuck yourself into the warmest corner of Mountsorrel and let the rich scent of freshly brewed coffee wrap around you like a favourite blanket. Bark & Brew is the kind of place where four-legged family
Beacon Hill Country Park
Beacon Hill has been recognised as the site of a Bronze Age Hill Fort since a line of defensive earthworks was discovered near the summit of the Hill. Explore the rocks, rhododendron labyrinth, pathwa
Bradgate Park
Stepping into Bradgate Park feels like tumbling gently back through centuries, with wide heathland stretching ahead and the soft thunder of hooves as deer drift between ancient oaks. Around 550 red an
Break Escape
Award-winning escape rooms where families and friends race to solve puzzles and break out before time runs out.
Charnwood Museum
Charnwood Museum is a popular family friendly museum set in the heart of the beautiful Queens Park in the centre of Loughborough. The Museum features a wide range of exhibits which reflect local histo
Charnwood alpacas
Meet, walk and cuddle alpacas, donkeys and baby cria across a working 110-acre Charnwood farm.
Great Central Railway
Great Central Railway is Britain's only double-track mainline heritage railway.
Khazana
A welcoming Indian restaurant in Loughborough serving classic subcontinental dishes in a relaxed, familiar setting.
Places to eat in Loughborough
Bark and Brew coffee shop
Tuck yourself into the warmest corner of Mountsorrel and let the rich scent of freshly brewed coffee wrap around you like a favourite blanket. Bark & Brew is the kind of place where four-legged family
Khazana
A welcoming Indian restaurant in Loughborough serving classic subcontinental dishes in a relaxed, familiar setting.
The Old Plough, Birstall
A traditional village pub in Birstall with real ales, live music, sport and proper bar snacks.
The Old Post Office, Newtown Linford
A family-run tearoom right at the gate of Bradgate Park, serving handmade cakes and freshly cooked food.
The White Horse Birstall
A beautifully renovated 18th-century alehouse serving hearty, locally sourced food with a leafy, award-winning beer garden.
Places to stay near Loughborough
Visiting Loughborough — your questions, answered.
What is Loughborough famous for?+
Bells, trains and sport. Loughborough is home to Taylor's Bell Foundry — the largest working bell foundry in the world — and the Great Central Railway, the UK's only double-track mainline heritage railway. Its world-famous university has produced generations of Olympians, and the Carillon tower rings out over Queen's Park.
Is Charnwood worth visiting?+
Charnwood is Leicestershire's wild side — ancient volcanic crags, heathland and woodland just minutes from the M1. Bradgate Park (with its deer herds and the ruins of Lady Jane Grey's home) and Beacon Hill are two of the county's best-loved outdoor spaces, and the villages between them are full of good pubs.
What can families do in Loughborough and Charnwood?+
Ride behind a full-size steam engine on the Great Central Railway, meet the deer at Bradgate Park, climb Old John for the county's best view, or let off steam in Queen's Park. Rainy day? The Charnwood Museum is free and right in the middle of town.
Where are the best walks in Charnwood?+
Bradgate Park and Beacon Hill are the classics — proper hills by Midlands standards, with rocks that are among the oldest in England. The Outwoods, Swithland Wood and Charnwood's quiet lanes offer gentler wanders, all within a few miles of Loughborough.
How do I get to Loughborough?+
Loughborough sits on the Midland Main Line, with fast trains to Leicester, Nottingham, Derby and London St Pancras (around 90 minutes). By car it's just off the M1 (junctions 23 and 23a) and the A6.
Is parking easy in Loughborough?+
Yes — Loughborough has several central car parks close to the market place and shopping areas, and Beacon Hill and Bradgate-side villages have dedicated country park car parks. Market days (Thursday and Saturday) are livelier, so allow a little extra time.
What can I do in Loughborough on a rainy day?+
Head indoors — Loughborough's Carillon Tower museum, the Great Central Railway's carriages, Charnwood Museum and the town's cafés and independent shops are all good wet-weather options, and Loughborough Town Hall runs a year-round programme of shows and comedy.
Can I ride a steam train in Loughborough?+
Yes — Loughborough is the northern home of the Great Central Railway, the UK's only double-track mainline heritage railway, running steam services most weekends plus dining trains and seasonal specials. Check our events listings for galas and themed running days.