Activities in Loughborough

Located roughly halfway between Loughborough and Leicester, Bradgate Park is an 830-acre country park packed with activities and sights. As well as plenty of space for families to explore, including playgrounds, picnic benches and walking routes across a variety of terrain featuring trees over 500 years old, the park also has plenty of historical heritage having once been a medieval deer park. Climb to the highest point and you’ll find Old John, a well preserved hilltop folly or castle with imposing views across the park and over to the impressive ruins of Bradgate House which dates back to 1520. The park is open daily from 8am, and also includes a visitor centre, two tea rooms and three car parks.

Set in the heart of Loughborough and just a short stroll from our Loughborough hotel, Queen’s Park is a great town centre park with a wide range of attractions. In addition to a bowling green, under 12s playground, maze and several bird sanctuaries, the park is the location for a lot of Loughborough’s cultural activities. It hosts a series of summer concerts from May-August each year via its central bandstand and regularly displayed sculptures and works of art from Loughborough University students. The park is also where you’ll find Charnwood Museum, an interactive and educational museum with plenty for kids, and the Carillon Tower and War Memorial Museum.

The Great Central Railway is a steam engine heritage centre with the UK’s only double track, meaning you get to see full-sized steam engines pass each other: a world first, no less. There are plenty of day trips and train rides available, plus various packages where you can get wined and dined on board a steam engine and even get to drive one. Trains run every weekend, on bank holidays and on select summer dates.

Covering 25 acres of farmland, play area and woodland, Manor Farm Park & Woodlands is a fun family day out in East Leake, several miles north of Loughborough. There are plenty of animals on display including rats, rabbits, parrots, alpacas, owls, donkeys and dozens more, plus an adventure playground, bird hides, working milk float, mini football pitch, cafe and shop. And if the weather does close in, take sanctuary in the covered play barn equipped with a soft play area, pedal go-karts and table tennis.

With two swimming pools, a large soft play area, squash courts, a large, modern gym and dozens of exercise classes, Loughborough Leisure Centre is the perfect place to get fit or simply relax. The site is open daily and is only a few minutes’ walk from our Loughborough hotel on Browns Lane.