Discover The Town Of Loughborough, Leicestershire
March 8, 2010 by Frederick Hoymer
Filed under Destinations, Europe, Travel, uk
Loughborough, a historic town in the rolling Leicestershire countryside has much to offer the visitor. The university is known the world over for its sports science programs. The town has a long industrial history as well as strong modern sectors in pharmaceuticals and electrical engineering.
Markets are held in Loughborough every Thursday and Saturday. They have been held in the market square, the central point of the town, for over six hundred years. In the centre of the square a fountain was erected to celebrate the installation of a drinking water system. It was donated by a resident of the town in 1870.
One of the more recent landmarks in Loughborough is a sculpture by Shona Kinloch. The long tradition of hosiery in the area inspired her to create The Sock which stands on a prominent street. At first controversial, it has gone on to win awards and is becoming increasingly popular with residents and visitors.
Among the other time honored industries in the town is bell making. The John Taylor Bell Company has added a museum to its factory which has been operating since 1839. Guests are shown some of the stages of the manufacture of the bells, such as casting. Bells from the factory are now housed in buildings all around the world. Visitors to Loughborough can hear examples of them in the Carillon building in Queens Park.
The Carillon is also a museum with exhibitions about the World Wars. The main theme is the lives of American servicemen stationed in the area. The town has several other museums including the Charnwood Museum. It houses displays showing the evolution of the Charnwood Forest.
Arts are well represented in and around Loughborough. The Charnwood Theatre has a continuous program of amateur and professional productions. Many shows and exhibitions also take place at the university which has several spaces for events. A few miles from the town is Castle Donnington which has a race circuit. This hosts not only world class sporting events but also concerts and festivals.
Leicestershire is an ideal place for those who enjoy the countryside. Its many trails through the Soar and Wreake valleys are well marked for walkers. It also has the extensive Bradgate Country Park which has many natural and historical features. Old John Tower is situated on a hill in the centre of the park and has amazing views. The park was originally part of the Charnwood Forest and has herds of deer roaming through the sections of remaining woodland. The park has a visitor centre which features a display about Lady Jane Gray. She is known as the Nine Days Queen after a brief marriage to King Henry Eighth.
Loughborough has a range of possibilities for its guests. Nature, history, cultural activities and events and industrial heritage abound.
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