Loughborough Bellfoundry Trust

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• Uncover the story - Loughborough – the name is a bit of a tongue twister, sometimes pronounced as ‘Loogabarooga’. Much easier then to use its other tag, the Town of Bells, bestowed upon it thanks to the unique work of John Taylor & Co, bell founders with a tradition that can be traced back to the 14th century. <hr> In 1839, Taylor came to the town to recast its parish church bells and decided to put down roots. Now, Loughborough can claim to host the UK’s last working major bell foundry, whose site is one of very few Victorian factories still used for its original purpose. <hr> Think you’ve never heard of the Loughborough Bellfoundry? Think again. You may not know the name but you’re sure to have heard the harmonious sounds its products make, hanging in churches worldwide, from here in Loughborough all the way to Australia. <hr> Perhaps the most famous Taylor bell and the largest church bell in Britain, Great Paul peals in St Paul’s Cathedral. Cast in 1881, it was in situ during historical events including Winston Churchill’s funeral, services marking the end of both World Wars and the wedding of Prince Charles and Diana Spencer. The case used to produce Great Paul now sits proudly outside Charnwood Museum in Queen’s Park. <hr> A Taylor’s bell also stars in the Christmas single ‘Fairytale of New York’ and on the AC/DC track ‘Hells Bells’ – even going on tour with the band. <hr> You don’t have to go as far as Australia or even London to see and hear the famous bells. Simply visit Loughborough, where the Carillon in Queen’s Park boasts 47, played regularly for visitors to enjoy. This memorial to fallen soldiers also houses a military museum, and the park itself is home to Charnwood Museum and has several water features, a maze and a bandstand. <hr> A pre-booked tour of the bell foundry and its museum will give even more insight into the incredible sounds that resonate around the globe but come straight out of Loughborough.