For nearly 600 million years, the powerful forces of nature have been sculpting the breathtaking landscapes of Charnwood in Leicestershire. The distinctive rocky formations, which can be seen around the borough, are the resting place of the oldest fossils in England.
The intricate Charnia fossil, discovered in Charnwood Forest in 1957, proved to the world that animals had existed on Earth far earlier than previously thought. Charnwood Forest is so significant it is bidding to become a UNESCO Global Geopark.
At the heart of this dramatic landscape is the dynamic university and market town of Loughborough. Home to the last major bell foundry in the UK – John Taylor and Co – and Great Central Railway, these bastions of industrial heritage sit alongside the cutting-edge research and excellence of Loughborough University – renowned worldwide for developing elite athletes. Olympic legends of the past, present and future have connections to Loughborough.
Charnwood's many features add up to a fascinating destination promising a non-stop voyage of discovery from its ancient origins and unique habitats to its future potential as a centre for knowledge and enterprise that is shaping tomorrow's world.
