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48 Hours in Charnwood


Boarding the train in London and after racing through the English countryside, I arrived at Loughborough station. Stepping onto the platform, I noticed a plaque stating that travel pioneer Thomas Cook took his very first organised excursion here in 1841. As my weekend began, I felt as though I was venturing into an undiscovered corner of the UK. Yet after 48 hours of exploring, it became clear that Charnwood, Leicestershire is one of the most beautiful and historic boroughs in the heart of the British countryside and has more than enough to fill a perfectly crafted seasonal staycation. WHAT TO DO Loughborough’s Historic Market My first stop was Loughborough’s historic market, set in the heart of this equally historic university town. Operating for more than 800 years, it remains one of the oldest, and most vibrant, markets in the UK. The atmosphere is wonderfully lively; some stallholders have acquired almost celebrity status among locals. Stalls brim with local crafts, fresh produce and seasonal treats, creating a colourful, sensory introduction to the town. Loughborough is also a great shopping destination, with a mix of high-street favourites and an impressive number of independent boutiques. Armed with a hot drink from one of the many artisan coffee shops, I spent a leisurely few hours wandering around the market and surrounding streets, browsing the stalls and picking up a few unique gifts along the way. The local council also hosts numerous events throughout the year, from the annual pantomime to open-air movie screenings, adding to the area’s lively community spirit. Loughborough University is renowned for its world-class sports training facilities. Many Olympians, Paralympians, and British sporting stars have trained there. The presence of these athletes, along with the wider student community, adds a vibrant energy to the town. The University’s strong sporting focus has also shaped the local environment, resulting in numerous open spaces and well-maintained sports facilities throughout the area. Stonehurst Family Farm Perfect for Little Luxies, but genuinely enjoyable for everyone, is a trip to Stonehurst Family Farm. This long-standing, family-run farm has been in the Duffin family for generations and is now operated by siblings Tom, Emily, and John. A standout experience was the tractor ride around the farm, but The Luxury Travel Bible especially loved the petting area, where you can meet goats, sheep, ponies, and cows. The undisputed favourite, though, was petting the rabbits and guinea pigs in the cosy petting shed. Alongside its working farm, Stonehurst also boasts an impressive vintage motor museum, a charming farm shop, a tearoom serving homemade cakes, and the Michelin-starred ‘John’s House’, a farm-to-plate fine-dining restaurant. www.stonehurstfarm.co.uk Great Central Railway The Great Central Railway is Britain’s only double-track mainline heritage steam railway, uniting generations in their admiration of these beautiful vintage locomotives. Waiting on the platform for the steam train to arrive, there was a palpable sense of anticipation and magic as this magnificent piece of engineering pulled into the station in a cloud of steam. The Great Central Railway appeals to all ages. During my journey through the Charnwood countryside, I was surrounded by families, railway enthusiasts, and day-trippers alike. Each was equally captivated by the experience. It may sound cliché, but travelling on this railway truly feels like stepping back in time. A journey on the Great Central Railway is less a simple train ride and more a living museum. The stations along the route have been lovingly restored, each reflecting a different historical period with incredible attention to detail. It was volunteers in 1969 who saved and preserved the line for future generations following its closure by British Rail. Today a team of volunteers work on the railway to share their knowledge and history of steam and the Great Central Railway. The authenticity of the railway is so impressive that the stations have been used as filming locations for numerous period dramas, including Netflix’s The Crown. As well as journeys through the countryside and spending time exploring the restored stations, the Great Central Railway also run dining events, afternoon teas and evening events on board the trains and even experiences where you can drive the steam train. www.gcrailway.co.uk John Taylor Bell Foundry If I’m honest, before this weekend I couldn’t have told you how a bell was made. A visit to Loughborough’s world-famous Taylor Bell Foundry (the UK’s last working bell foundry) changed that completely. The foundry casts new bells while also restoring and tuning historic ones. A tour offers a truly captivating insight into the craftsmanship and artistry behind the bells that ring out across cathedrals and cities around the world. Our highly knowledgeable and enthusiastic volunteer guide walked us through the foundry, sharing fascinating facts and explaining exactly how bells are ‘born’. Taylor Bell has been casting in Loughborough since 1839, and at its current Grade II listed site since 1859. Today, more than 25,000 of their bells can be heard in over 100 countries, including at London’s St Paul’s Cathedral. Their work isn’t limited to churches and cathedrals, either. The foundry has even produced more unusual commissions, such as the ‘Hell’s Bell’ made for an AC/DC world tour, which rang out on stage each night. Beyond being wonderfully educational, the visit was a privilege. Watching incredibly skilled craftspeople at work, preserving Britain’s heritage and ensuring that this remarkable art form endures for generations to come was truly fascinating. www.loughboroughbellfoundry.org Bradgate Park After a weekend of indulging in delicious food and drink, it was time for an atmospheric stroll through the historic Bradgate Park. The medieval park is truly beautiful, ablaze with autumnal colours. The park is a treasured landscape, and numerous locals told us that it was somewhere that we had to visit during our stay. It didn’t disappoint! As well as being a beautiful and relaxing walk in picturesque parkland, streams and oak trees (some of which are over 500 years old) there are also numerous points of historical interest throughout the 830 acres. The ruins of Lady Jane Grey’s childhood home sit within the park and visitors can climb the Old John Tower for stunning views across the rugged countryside. The park is also known for its majestic Red and Fallow deer that freely roam the park - it’s absolutely their park, we were merely visitors. Throughout the year the park also hosts an impressive number of interesting events and activities such as Deer Feeding, Wellbeing walks and talks about the park’s history. www.bradgatepark.org WHERE TO STAY The Luxury Travel Bible checked into Burleigh Court, set within the grounds of Loughborough University. It proved to be an ideal base for a weekend exploring the Charnwood area. With its central location and ample parking, the hotel makes it easy for guests to discover the surrounding countryside and attractions. The rooms were exceptionally comfortable, and the hotel’s leisure facilities, including a gym, lovely swimming pool and relaxing spa areas, were a welcome treat. Warming up in the steam room after a cold day outdoors felt especially indulgent. www.burleigh-court.co.uk Where Burleigh Court truly shines is in its bar and restaurant offerings. The stylish hotel bar, Carney & Scott’s, is a fantastic spot for a pre-dinner drink. Named in honour of former Lionesses Karen Carney and Jill Scott, both of whom studied at the University, the football stars have even visited their namesake bar. The Luxury Travel Bible loved this tribute to the area’s sporting heritage and its celebration of two of England’s most successful players. Directly opposite Carney & Scott’s is the hotel restaurant, Fifty The Street. While it’s understandably popular with hotel guests, its quality and atmosphere make it a destination, worthy of drawing locals and visitors from across the region. True to its name, Fifty The Street features a menu that is at least 50% plant-based and showcases a sincere commitment to sustainability. The cocktail menu is one of the most imaginative The Luxury Travel Bible has ever encountered. Several drinks are crafted using eco-friendly ingredients and upcycled food that would otherwise be discarded. As the menu proclaims, “Waste not, sip lots!”. With that in mind, I couldn’t resist trying the Cauliflower Colada. It sounded unusual but turned out to be delicious and could easily grace the menu of any high-end London bar. www.fifty.restaurant The Luxury Travel Bible says… Forty-eight hours was the perfect amount of time to sample the beauty and charm of Charnwood. For a short staycation, just a 90-minute train ride from London, it’s a part of the UK well worth exploring. Even 185 years ago, Thomas Cook was right that this is a great area to visit Luxury Link: www.discovercharnwood.com Sarah Bryans 27/11/2025

Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.

Mark Twain

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