Loughborough

Loughborough is a Leicestershire market town that punches well above its weight when it comes to eating out. With well over a hundred restaurants and cafes on offer, the choice runs from Antalya Kitchen's Turkish grills to the easy pull-up-a-chair feel of Baobab Cafe and the steady hum of BES 77 Coffee Lounge, where students and shoppers refuel between lectures and errands. It's a town built around its university as much as its market square, and that mix shows up on the menus: quick coffee stops, family curry houses, and places that feel more like a proper night out.

Most visitors base themselves in or just outside the town centre. Premier Inn Loughborough is the reliable option for a straightforward overnight stay, while Charnwood Regency and Holywell House offer something a little more personal. For a treat, Burleigh Court Hotel and Leisure and Quorn Country Hotel both come with spa facilities attached, useful if you're combining a visit with some downtime, and Loughborough Grange Guesthouse and Spa follows the same idea closer to town. Keepers Lodge and Jaylets Budget Hathern give budget-minded travellers a foothold nearby too.

If you'd rather sleep under canvas, Camping at Manor Organic Farm and Top Merrill Views both put you within reach of Charnwood Forest, the wooded, rocky countryside that sits just outside town and is worth the detour for walkers.

Loughborough isn't short of things to fill a day. The Great Central Railway is the obvious draw, a proper heritage steam line that runs through the area and appeals to families and rail enthusiasts alike. For something more active, The Climbing Station and Archery Legends Experience both offer a change of pace, while Laser Quest Loughborough and Break Escape's escape rooms are good options for groups and rainy afternoons. Manor Farm and Woodlands rounds things out nicely for anyone wanting a gentler, outdoorsy visit.

Come evening, the town's restaurant density means you're never far from a good meal, whatever you're in the mood for. Grab a coffee and something sweet at A Perfect Blend, settle in at Antalya Kitchen for a leisurely dinner, or keep things casual at Average Joe's. With this many options packed into one town, Loughborough rewards visitors happy to wander and try somewhere new each night.