Northants, Leics &amp; Rutland


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY?</h2>



<p>Loughborough is a leafy town near the River Soar, fast-paced and multicultural, with tonnes of stuff to do all year round. It’s home to a university known for its excellent sporting teams which has churned out top athletes like Paula Radcliffe and Paralympian Tanni Grey-Thompson. But  the ideal hunting ground for first-time buyers and a good bet for families seeking homes seeking bigger gardens, who love to eat out plus, with easy transport links to London. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat">EAT </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/Chocoberry-Loughborough.jpg" alt="Chocoberry Loughborough" class="wp-image-50338" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/Chocoberry-Loughborough.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/Chocoberry-Loughborough-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/Chocoberry-Loughborough-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/Chocoberry-Loughborough-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/Chocoberry-Loughborough-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Chocoberry</figcaption></figure>



<p>Plenty of options here including our personal fave <a href="https://www.chocoberrycafe.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chocoberry</a> (pic above) on Baxter Gate. They&#8217;ve got everything from French macarons to Spanish churros and American milkshakes and kids will love the Yum Bubblegum waffles. <a href="http://www.tarboushcafe.com/">Tarboush</a> is a Middle-Eastern inspired restaurant that serves lots of mouth-watering mezeh dishes. <a href="https://goodliffes.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Goodliffes Bar</a> is a great place for after-work drinks. <a aria-label="The White Horse and Noodle Bar (opens in a new tab)" href="http://whitehorsenoodlebar.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The White Horse and Noodle Bar</a> is a pub that serves fantastic noodles and is much-loved by families and students because it&#8217;s such great value for money. Previous Muddy Award winner, <a aria-label="Bom  Bom Patisserie   (opens in a new tab)" href="https://bombompatisserie.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bom Bom Patisserie</a> have two cafes in the city; one on Derwent Drive, two blocks away from the University&#8217;s Library campus and one in Canal House, plus a take-out at the university campus. We love their Malteser and Biscoff cookies and their lunch menu is spot on. There&#8217;s also the unmissable, Muddy Award Winning <a href="https://soakcocktailco.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">S.O.A.K Cocktail Co.</a>, these guys are seriously passionate about amazing cocktails and are wonderfully creative. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop"><strong>SHOP </strong></h2>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/10/Untitled-design-323.jpg" alt="Ohh Deer card and gift shop Loughborough" class="wp-image-51729" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/10/Untitled-design-323.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/10/Untitled-design-323-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/10/Untitled-design-323-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/10/Untitled-design-323-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/10/Untitled-design-323-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ohh Deer</figcaption></figure></div>


<p>You will find all the big names in the Carillon Court, The Rushes Shopping Centres and across Market Place but quirky vintage shop, <a aria-label="Winged Ape (opens in a new tab)" href="https://wingedape.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Winged Ape</a> is where you can find everything from antiques and industrial design pieces to collectables and comic books! </p>



<p>We&#8217;re big fans of <a href="https://ohhdeer.com/">Ohh Deer</a> who sell super cool and quirky cards, stationery and gifts. <a aria-label="Tylers  (opens in a new tab)" href="https://tylers.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tylers </a>is a family-run department store  that&#8217;s been running since 1922, selling everything from furniture to jewellery. Don&#8217;t miss the local Farmers’ Market every second Wednesday of the month where you can pick up some local, organic and artisan food and drink and the Vintage Market runs every Friday. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<p>With Loughborough Uni being such a hive of sporting excellence, you might not be surprised to learn that it&#8217;s fairly easy to find somewhere to keep in great shape. Try <a href="https://www.reformerstudio.co.uk/location/fennel-street" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Reformer Studio</a> on Fennell Street for Pilates, <a href="https://hotpodyoga.com/studios/loughborough/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HotPod Yoga</a>, set in a gorgeous converted church with high ceilings and feature windows, <a href="https://phoenixhub.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Phoenix Gym</a> for hardcore training (Hyrox addicts will love it) with a real community vibe, or <a href="https://www.burleigh-springs.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Burleigh Springs</a> for a gym, pool and spa combo at the edge of campus. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<p>Every year the city hosts the<a href="https://www.charnwoodarts.com/information/mela" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Loughborough Mela</a> – a family day out celebrating the Asian community that makes up a large part of the diverse city. Expect. dance, music, rangoli, henna hand painting, street food and more. Other events include the <a href="https://www.gardenersfair.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gardeners&#8217; Fair</a>, <a href="https://www.veganmarkets.co.uk/location/loughborough" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vegan Market</a> and <a href="https://www.charnwood.gov.uk/pages/music" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Music in the Park</a>. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<p>Housed in the former Victorian swimming baths, <a href="https://www.charnwoodmuseum.co.uk/">The Charnwood Museum</a> showcases the rich heritage of the local area through various permanent and temporary exhibitions. Whatton House is definitely worth a visit and parts of the gorgeous gardens date back to 1802. <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="http://gcrailway.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Great Central Railway</a> is the UK&#8217;s only double track, main line heritage railway where you can still see full-size steam engines passing each other. Kids will love <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.manorfarm.info/" target="_blank">Manor Farm Park and Woodlands</a> and active types will like heading to the summit of&nbsp;Beacon Hill Country Park &#8211; it&#8217;s the second highest spot in Leicestershire so of course boasts gorgeous views across the county and beyond. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/leics/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2022/07/loughborough-things-to-do-with-the-family-muddy-stilettos-rutland-and-leicestershire-2.jpg" alt="Loughborough Town Hall" class="wp-image-35993" /></figure>



<p>There&#8217;s always something fun on over at <a href="https://www.loughboroughtownhall.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Loughborough Town Hall</a> which serves as the local theatre, there&#8217;s also a Cineworld and an Odeon for all things cinematic.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret">BEST KEPT SECRET<strong> </strong></h2>



<p>Suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst spoke at Loughborough Town Hall  in the early 20th century.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries">NURSERIES</h2>



<p><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.watermeadnursery.co.uk/" target="_blank">Watermead Nursery </a>comes complete with a music room, two art rooms, a forest school, library and a purpose-built building for preschoolers called Brook Farm House &#8211; needless to say, it&#8217;s been rated Ofsted Outstanding. Slightly smaller, <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.babblebrooke.co.uk/" target="_blank">Babblebrooke Day Nursery</a> on Limehurst Avenue is a nurturing place for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schools">SCHOOLS</h2>



<p>For primary school, <a href="https://www.locrating.com/schools-Holywell-Primary-School-0urn138906.aspx">Holywell Primary School</a> and <a href="https://www.locrating.com/schools-Booth-Wood-Primary-School-0urn119973.aspx">Booth Wood Primary School</a> are both rated Ofsted Outstanding. For secondary there&#8217;s <a href="https://charnwoodcollege.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Charnwood College</a>, <a href="https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/school/137367/limehurst-academy">Limehurst Academy</a> and <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Woodbrook Vale School. (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.woodbrookvale.leics.sch.uk/" target="_blank">Woodbrook Vale School.</a> </p>



<p><a aria-label="Loughborough Schools Foundation  (opens in a new tab)" href="https://lsf.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Loughborough Schools Foundation</a> is a collective of four selective, independent, private schools and includes&nbsp;Loughborough Grammar School, an all-boys&#8217; secondary school,&nbsp;Loughborough High School, an all-girls&#8217; secondary school,&nbsp;Fairfield Preparatory School, a co-ed prep, and&nbsp;Loughborough Amherst School. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/01/Woodhouse.jpeg" alt="Property for sale in Woodhouse, Leicestershire" class="wp-image-54805" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/01/Woodhouse.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/01/Woodhouse-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/01/Woodhouse-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Valley Cottage is a 5-bed detached home in the village of Woodhouse, set in 1.85 acres of landscaped gardens and paddock. <a href="https://www.richard-harrison.co.uk/properties/sale/uncategorized/woodhouse/valley-cottage-school-lane-woodhouse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">On the market for £1.395k</a>. </figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-prices"><strong>AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES</strong></h2>



<p>An overall average price of £223,492, with detached homes fetching on average £323,453.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute"><strong>COMMUTE</strong></h2>



<p>To drive to London it takes 2 hrs 30 mins but trains run regularly from Loughborough station. The fast train can get you there in around 75 mins.</p>



<p><em>View the full&nbsp;</em><a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/"><em>Top 300 Best Places to Live</em></a>.</p>


Loughborough

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