Make the most of living in Loughborough

Loughborough, a vibrant town in Leicestershire, offers a unique blend of academic excellence and a lively student community. A first-year student we questioned said he finds Loughborough “more safe than originally thought,” highlighting the town’s secure environment.

What Our Students Have to Say About Moving to Loughborough

Students initially had mixed feelings about Loughborough, ranging from safety concerns to perceptions of it being a small, perhaps uneventful town. One student remarked “It felt quite small and boring but now my community of friends has changed my perception. And it feels like a second home.” A Foundation year student stated that he enjoys the “beautiful small town ambiance.”

How to Make Friends in Loughborough

Making friends is a vital part of university life. Joining clubs and participating in social events are great ways to meet new people. At our Luxurio accommodation there is a friendly and welcoming common room for students to mingle and interact with one another, and hopefully, make friends for life.  Within the university itself, there are currently 97 different societies for students to join and meet like-minded people. You can take a look at them here.

What students living at Luxurio have to say about making friends

Making friends was a journey for many. Some found it easy, while others faced initial challenges, especially as international students. A respondent shared, “It was hard. As an international student, it’s hard to make friends in such a small town,”. However, this sentiment appears to shift quickly once student activities begin. A third-year student living at Luxurio, finds the social aspect of life in Loughborough welcoming, citing “friends” as a key part of their experience.

Student Accommodation in Loughborough

Private Student Accommodation

Students who prefer to live more independently from the university can choose to rent private accommodation. This type of living generally offers a broader range of amenities and community events than typical student halls. At our Luxurio accommodation you can benefit from our cinema room, table tennis, games consoles, state of the art gym and cleaning services, there’s even a private dining room. The Luxurio also boasts the largest open plan social and study space for student accommodation in Loughborough. One student states that the Luxurio is “modern and diverse”, while another comments that it has a “great community”. There are currently over 45 different nationalities of people living at the Luxurio, making a home away from home for many people. 

University Student Accommodation

Loughborough’s university accommodations are diverse, offering various options for students. There are 17 different halls across the campus, some of which provide catering and others which are self-catering. When looking for accommodation on the University website you can filter the options by the catering level, your type of degree and whereabouts on the campus you would like to be, to help you find the accommodation that would suit you.

Renting a Student House in Loughborough

Students that prefer to live in a more independent way can rent a house through a private landlord. In this case, it is common for students to share houses to reduce costs and still enjoy a more communal living experience. A second-year student said she values the close knit community and diversity that she found when in local housing. It is worth noting that students who prefer to rent through a private landlord generally have slower responses to maintenance issues and, in most cases, have to share bathrooms!

Best Places to Study in Loughborough

There are a variety of places that students can go to study, they are not just restricted to their rooms. The university library and local cafes are ideal places to study, depending on the atmosphere that you favour while studying. 

Students commented that “Pilkington library has study spots” and “The university library” indicate these areas as preferred locations for focused academic work. However, many commented that they like to go to any of the cafes in town to get work done, some favoured spots mentioned were the local Costa Coffee cafe and Olivia’s Coffee & Bakery. 

– Pilkington Library: a library within the university grounds

Address: University Rd, Loughborough LE11 3TU

Website: lboro.ac.uk

– Olivia’s Coffee & Bakery

Address: 9 Market St, Loughborough LE11 3EP

Website: oliviasbakery.co.uk

– Esquires Coffee

Address: 32 High Street, Loughborough LE11 2PZ

Website: esquirescoffee.co.uk

Student Activities in Loughborough

Adventurous Student Activities in Loughborough

Loughborough offers numerous adventurous outdoor activities. One student remembers playing beer pong, highlighting the town’s lively student life. There are also some more lively attractions within Loughborough for students looking for some excitement, such as an escape room or laser quest.

– Break Escape, Loughborough

Address: 58, 59 Baxter Gate, Loughborough LE11 1TH

Website: breakescape.co.uk

– Laser Quest: Indoor laser tag chain offering games in multi-level, fog-filled arenas.

Address: Sital House, Cattle Market, Loughborough LE11 3DL

Website: lqloughborough.co.uk

Relaxing Student Activities in Loughborough

The town provides plenty of opportunities for relaxation, from parks to wellness centres. One student mentions that they enjoy exploring the small town and its tranquil settings. While another specifically recommends Queens Park as an ideal place to get out into nature and relax. The gym at Luxurio is also mentioned as a great place to unwind. 

– Queen’s Park, Loughborough: Landscaped park featuring a play area, a bowling green, a bandstand, museums & more.

Address: 54 Frederick St, Loughborough LE11 3BJ

Website: charnwood.gov.uk

Educational Student Activities in Loughborough

Loughborough has a plethora of educational spots and historic museums and cultural sites for students looking to learn something outside of the university classroom. Some of the favourites include:

– Great Central Railway: The only place in the world where you can see 2 full sized steam trains pass each other.

Address: Great Central Railway PLC, Great Central Rd, Loughborough LE11 1RW

Website: gcrailway.co.uk

– Charnwood Museum: Compact museum telling the story of the local area through its archaeology and natural phenomena.

Address: Granby St, Loughborough LE11 3DU

Website: charnwoodmuseum.co.uk

Student Nightlife in Loughborough

Loughborough’s nightlife caters to all preferences, from vibrant clubs to relaxed pubs. Students have said they find the town’s social scene welcoming and diverse and that some of their favourite spots include the local Revolution bar and Echo’s Night Club.

Transport in Loughborough

Transportation in Loughborough is described as convenient by students, with accessible bus routes and bike paths. The Sprint Bus runs every 15 minutes and travels from the university campus through town and back again. One student stated that as Loughborough is a small town, she finds it easy to walk everywhere. Loughborough also boasts a convenient train station, which allows students to easily access nearby cities such as Leicester, Nottingham and Sheffield. There is also a direct train line to London St Pancreas. The Luxurio accommodation is only a 7 minute walk from town, meaning that accessing anything that Loughborough has to offer is in easy reach.

Student Costs in Loughborough

When asked for tips on dealing with student costs, many students we interviewed suggested learning to live within a budget and allotting money into certain pots throughout the month. Students also commented that living in Loughborough is relatively affordable and easy to do. Some recommended getting membership at sites like Unidays and Amazon student to get access to deals and a Tesco clubcard was recommended for spreading food costs.