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Grand Union Canal -
Loughborough Basin Mooring -
Leicestershire

Loughborough Canal Basin - Grand Union Canal Loughborough Section - River Soar

We moored in the refurbished Loughborough Canal Basin for a couple of nights in late April 2008.

Please note this was before 'The Basin' Restaurant and Bar was completed.

We found that Loughborough had enough to occupy us for a couple of days and the basin brought us as close to the town centre as you can get.

Besides Sainsbury's supermarket, Curry's and KFC on 'Regents Place Shopping' plaza being a stone's throw from the canal here the town centre had most of the major banks, there is 'The Rushes' shopping centre close by. Swan Street, Market Place and High Street has Wilkinsons hardware, Boots etc. and also have a number of restaurants of all kinds. Indian Cuisine is particularly obvious, but there are also Chinese and Thai, as well as traditional restaurants.

Loughborough Tourist Information is in the Old Town Hall

We were more interested in the museums and visitor attractions:

The Charnwood Museum, Queen's Park, Granby Street, Loughborough is a Free Entry museum exploring the local history. MAP

The Great Central Railway Visitor Attraction, Great Central Road, Loughborough is a working steam and heritage railway. Charges apply. MAP

The John Taylor Bellfoundry Visitor Attraction and Museum, Freehold Street, Loughborough is one of two English church bell foundries. Bells are cast on Thursdays only but not every week. This is a working foundry that depends on orders and paying visitors for its existance. Phone 01509 233414 for details and booking your tour. MAP

Loughborough Carillon, War Memorial and Museum of Armed Forces, Queen's Park, Granby Street, Loughborough was the first carillon in Britain, Displays from the two World Wars. Great views from the top of the tower (charge applies). MAP

The Old Rectory Museum and Wildlife Garden, Steeple Row, Loughborough is a 13th century stone building with attached ruins, only open on Saturdays between 10.00 and 16.00. The garden is open in daylight hours. MAP

Queen's Park, Loughborough is home to two of the museum / attractions above and a very good public park. MAP