Loughborough

About Loughborough

Loughborough was once a historic market town, situated on the London to Carlisle route, which also passed though Derby and Leeds. It is now a highly popular university town that is within easy reach of attractions within both the Derbyshire and Leicestershire regions.

The earliest traces of human settlements in the Loughborough area can be traced as far back as the Bronze Age. Records are kept in the Domesday Book concerning Loughborough folk and land, and in the 13th century the town was permitted to run a market on Thursday’s and for an annual fair to be held. These two traditions are still held today. The area is also the scene of some historic battles including that, which took place in 1664 between the Royalists and the Parliamentarians, in the North West of the town on Coates Bridge.

Employment in the area expanded in the 18th century with the rise of Hosiery manufacturing. Various mills were opened in the area. As the Industrial Revolution continued on into the 19th century, the Falcon works was opened who made locomotives and horse-buses. The first ever railway excursion was held on July 5th, 1841, organised by Sir Thomas Cook, which ran from Leicester to Loughborough. The journey was a total of 12 miles.

There are many attractions easily accessible from Loughborough, whilst the town itself is a vibrant area full of modern amenities, and an extensive amount of pubs.