Then look no further than Loughborough itself, where there’s certainly plenty going on and plenty to do! So, here are a few suggestions you might like to follow-up if you’re looking for somewhere to visit or something to do, either on a regular basis or a one-off event, in Loughborough. I’ve tried to include something for everyone, and although I’m concentrating on Loughborough, there are a few suggestions included for things nearby too, but sticking to Leicestershire!
Shopping, places to visit and things to do in Loughborough
There are plenty of independent shops, cafés and bars to
visit- have a look at my very first blogpost for a list of some of these.
If it’s museum’s you’re after, you’re in luck - we’ve got at least five:
Charnwood Museum – based in a building originally called The
Memorial Baths which were opened in 1897 for public bathing, in celebration of
Queen Victoria’s jubilee, the Charnwood Museum opened in 1997 after an
extensive re-fit. Immediately prior to this, the space had been used for craft,
antique and book fairs as well as for the Friday morning bric-a-brac market, which is now held in the Market Place.
Today in the museum you can see the Barrow Kipper, a suspended airplane, an old
shop, information on Beamanor Hall and its inhabitants, and learn about the
geology of the area. There are regular changing displays in the area to the
side, the Charnwood Gallery. The current display is one of black and white
photographs from the East Midlands Monochrome group: This goes on until January
2014.
Special events for the Autumn/Winter seasons are included in
the printed What’s On guide which is also available as in pdf
If you can’t get to the museum but want to see some of its
treasures online, have a look at the objects that were used in the
Leicestershire Revealed exhibition.
The museum also has an independently run café, which
displays and sells the work of local painters.
The Carillon tower – is a war memorial and houses the wonderful musical instrument, the carillon, as well as a museum exhibiting material related to the armed forces, to the world wars, and to the American forces. Unfortunately, the museum is now closed until Easter 2014, but there is a website depicting information about Loughborough’s military history, and including a list of all those people who are listed on the Carillon memorial. The borough carilloneur, Caroline Sharpe gives recitals throughout the year.
The Old Rectory Museum – is a small museum in what was the
rectory for All Saints church. It houses some local artefacts and is open on
Saturdays from April to October 11am to 3pm. Unfortunately, the official website is a little out-of-date but the museum
is well worth a visit.
Taylor’s Bellfoundry – Taylors are the company that made the
Great Paul bell, the casing of which is now situated in Queen’s Park. The
museum is open Tuesday-Thursday, 10-12 and 2-4 but it’s best to check before
turning up. They also offer tours which take place on days that bells are being
cast so you can see the process in action.
The Great central Railway - situated on Great Central Road, this is the only mainline steam train in the country! For the railway enthusiast, it has everything you could possibly want! Events here are many and varied and there is a small museum.
Cinemas, theatres and other venues
The Odeon cinema – is in Cattle Market and the building itself has an interesting history. It has been modernised, whilst keeping some of its beautiful art deco features, and is now part of the Odeon chain, housing about six screens showing a variety of films.
The Town Hall – is a major venue for events, which range
from plays, musicals and panto to cake baking competitions, vintage fairs and
wine tastings! Here’s the full programme. Throughout the day and evening there is free access to the
Sock Gallery, the exhibition area, where there are regularly changing displays
of artwork. Upstairs is a small café area.
Emmanuel Church – on Forest Road often hosts concerts by
both local artists and those from further a-field.
Trinity Methodist Church – on Royland Road also hosts
events, ranging from choral concerts to archaeological talks (although the
forthcoming talk by Richard Buckley is being held at Barrow).
All Saints Church - also known as the Parish Church, also hosts concerts and events and coffee mornings.
John Storer House - a venue which offers meeting facilities, a small shop and a cafe, also hosts events
Loughborough University - this large campus hosts arts events, public lectures and provides meeting space for local societies
Looking for an event?
Here are some links to websites that list events in and around Loughborough:
- The loveloughborough campaign
- More events in Loughborough
- Charnwood Arts website
- Half-term events in Leicestershire
- Choose your location in Leicestershire to find events on this website
- And more here events listed here
Looking for something more active?
Our town has probably the best sporting university in the country, and is home to many prestigious sporting people and institutions. But for townsfolk, here are a few suggestions for sporting (well loosely) activities:
Charnwood active together – for walks, geocaching
etc.
Charnwood Golf Range - a golf driving range on the A6 towards Hathern
Shelthorpe Golf Course - pitch and put for all
Longcliffe Golf Club - members only club
Charnwood Leisure Centre - I believe this is now fully re-opened
Merlin Archery - Merlin Archery have moved their warehouse and
shop from the Bull in the Hollow Farm (formerly the Needless Inn) to Great
Central Road, although the associated archery club still meets at the farm.
Looking for a club or society to join?
Activity in the town is so varied there is probably a club or society for every possible interest, but I can only list a few here. We have:
- a stamp collecting club
- a male voice choir
- an orchestra -
- a camera club
- a recorded music society – this doesn’t have its own website, but regular reports are posted in the Loughborough Echo and it is listed on the FRMS
- an angling club
- a radio club
- a speakers club
- an Italian society
- a Land Rover club
- a Welsh society
- a branch of the National Childbirth Trust
- 3 branches of the WI
- a branch of the U3A (2 branches if you include the Charnwood one).
As you can see, I could go on forever about what there is to see and do in Loughborough, but it is now time for me to publish!
See you next week.
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