Located within the Charnwood borough of Leicestershire is the town of Loughborough. First mention in the Doomsday book of 1086 Loughborough is home to Loughborough University and John Taylor Bellfounders. It was also home for many notable people such as Albert Francis Cross, Nicola Hughes, and David Neilson.

Visitors to the Loughborough area can enjoy a nice outing at Beacon Hill. This beautiful park is home to a variety of panoramic views from which you can see many historic sites. Four miles west is the extinct volcano that birthed the igneous rock the hill is created from. From the summit a toposcope indicates the landmarks that can be seen. This 100 hectare park gives visitors a variety of walking trails and short climbs to enjoy. It is a wonderful place to have a picnic and just enjoy the great outdoors.

Probably one of the most famous places in Loughborough is the John Taylor Bellfounders. This bell foundry is the largest bell foundry in the world. It is famous for making the bells for the Carillon War Memorial. Visitors can tour the John Taylor and Company Bell foundry museum. Here you can tour two floors of unique bell exhibits and memorabilia that outline the bell foundry's history as one of the oldest manufacturing industries in the world. Visitors can also stop by the gift shop for unique bell related gifts and mementos.

Those visiting the Loughborough area might want to hop over to Shepshed for a day trip. Here you can view the 11th century Church of St. Botolph. Here you will see the beauty of this old church. While here be sure to view the old wood carving depicting the visit of Queen Elizabeth I. While it's unclear if she ever actually visited the wood carving is something to see.

For those who love a good museum check out the Charnwood Museum in Loughborough. Here you will find a nice mix of permanent exhibits with different temporary ones. The Charnwood Museum features exhibits that show the geology, industry, history and archeology of the Charnwood area. There are many 'hands-on' exhibits for visitors to enjoy while they are here. Some of the permanent exhibitions at Charnwood include investigating the 4,000 year old burial of Cossington Boy, as well as the Stone Age history of the area. Visitors can also try basket weaving or watch as a chair is made out of a single oak tree.

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