Loughborough (pronounced 'luffbura' or 'luffbruh') is a town in Leicestershire, England. It was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. In 1995 the population of the town was estimated at 55,300, and it is the administrative centre for the Charnwood district.

The A6 Trunk Road goes through the town, before heading along the Soar Valley towards either Leicester or Kegworth. It is also quite close to East Midlands Airport. It is off junction 23 of the M1. It is on the Midland Main Line between London St Pancras and Sheffield. The Great Central Railway also once ran through the town, and now it is the home of a preserved section of line.

The town has the world's largest bell foundry — Taylor's Bellfoundry, which made the bells for the Carillon war memorial, a landmark in the town.

To the South of the town centre lies the Shelthorpe Estate - a large council estate, and the largest in the country when built in the 1920s and 1930s. Shelthorpe Estate has its own schools, shops and a supermarket.

In 1841 Loughborough was the destination for the first ever package tour organised by Thomas Cook, for a group from Leicester.

Just outside Loughborough to the north, Dishley Grange Farm was the home of Agricultural Revolutionist Robert Bakewell.

Education

Primary schools (age 4-11) located in Loughbrough include Rendell Primary School, Boothwood County Primary, Holywell Primary School, Mountfields Lodge C.P School and many more.

There are three 11-14 year old schools -- Garendon High School, Limehurst High School and Woodbrook Vale High School. Most of the students from these schools then attend Burleigh Community College]to sit GCSE exams two years later. Many then continue to the sixth form to sit the A-level exams.

The De Lisle Roman Catholic High School caters for 11-18 year olds.

The town's independent schools are Fairfield Preparatory School (ages 4-11), Loughborough Grammar School (for boys, founded 1496), Loughborough High School (for girls) and Our Lady's Convent School (for girls).

The primary campus of Loughborough University is located to the west of the town centre. The University is the base for a number of athletes, including Paula Radcliffe, Sebastian Coe, and Steve Backley. Other higher/further education facilities in the town include the RNIB Vocational College and Loughborough College . The Loughborough College of Art and Design is now the university's School of Art and Design.

Employers

The Brush Traction Works were once the largest employer in Loughborough. That role is now filled by Loughborough University. Other major employers include AstraZeneca (formerly Fisons) and 3M Health Care Ltd.

Ladybird Books used to be based in Loughborough.

Shopping

Loughborough has a market twice a week (on Thursdays and Saturdays). Major chains with shops in Loughborough include Tesco, J Sainsbury, Boots the Chemists, Thorntons and Argos. A new shopping centre has recently been built on the site of the old bus station and includes an M&S store.

The new shopping area is known as The Rushes and is linked to the existing town centre area by the picturesque Churchgate & Churchgate Mews the latter includes many individually styled exclusive boutiques and an exclusive beauty salon and makes a welcome change to the main high street brands.

Recreation

The Rugby Union Loughborough Rugby Football Club play at the Derby Road playing fields. Other sports teams include the non-league Loughborough Football Club , and the Loughborough Aces (Collegiate American Football).

There is also a Netball league which plays at the Charnwood Leisure Centre .

Twin towns

• Épinal, France
• Gembloux, Belgium
• Schwäbisch Hall, Germany
• Zamość, Poland
• Bhavnagar, India (community link)

External links

• Charnwood Borough Council
• Loughborough Internet
• Great Central Railway