Loughborough

Loughborough is best known for two things: bells and sports science. The bells came to town in 1858 when John Taylor relocated his famous foundry from Oxford. For nearly 150 years Loughborough bells have peeled the world over, Great Paul in St. Ball’s Cathedral was cast here. The Bell Foundry in Freehold Street is now a museum.

Loughborough University is recognised the world over as one of the best centres for sports science and psychology. Many, many figures from the world of sport have studied here including world record holding long-distance runner Paula Radcliffe.

Melton Mowbray has made its mark on English culinary tradition and the local gastronomic delights include the pork pie and Stilton cheese, both of which originate in the town – for authentic pies head to the Olde Pork Pie Shoppe. For more information on the town and its heritage visit the Melton Carnegie Museum at Thorpe End. The town is also known for being the town where the phrase 'painting the town red' originated from in 1837, this was because at the time Melton Mowbray was home to a highly fashionable fox-hunting scene.