About Us

War Memorial and Museum

The Loughborough Carillon is first and foremost a war memorial to the fallen in two world wars, but it is also a museum with artifacts, documents and items that recall the events of those and other wars as they relate to Loughborough people.

The carillon tower is owned by the local authority, but administered by a board of trustees. On a day-to-day basis it is run by a team of volunteers.

The museum is a great place to find out about the past; whether that means simple curiosity about the wars fought in the 20th century, seeking information about an ancestor or more serious research about events and those who took part in them.

It’s also a good place to teach the next generation about their history through the people who were there and the artifacts they left behind.

The History of the Tower

At the end of the First World War it was decided that a memorial should be created to honour the men of the town who had lost their lives serving their country. In November 1919 the people of Loughborough were asked to take part in a ballot and a carillon tower was voted as the first choice. Taylor’s Bell Foundry paid £2,000 towards the bells, and a ‘Buy a Bell’ campaign invited individuals and organisations to contribute. Local companies Brush and William Moss each pledged £500 to the general funds. Public subscription also raised money. Fundraising events produced £75. By May 1920, over £7,000 had been raised.

Loughborough firms were commissioned to help build the Carillon Tower. The foundation stones were laid in a ceremony in January 1922. The official launch took place on 22nd July 1923. The Carillon Tower was dedicated by Field Marshall Sir William Robertson, with the Duchess of Rutland, the Bishop of Peterborough and Dame Nellie Melba amongst the VIP guests. Carillon recitals were broadcast by the BBC almost from the beginning, and were heard across Europe.

In February 1989 the new two-floor museum opened; to be run by the Charnwood Museum Trust. In November 2001 the Carillon Tower and War Memorial Museum became a Registered Museum.

In 2018-2019 work was done to repair the copper roof, replace some windows with repairs to others and to clean the Portland sandstone walls. The Clavier and bells received a comprehensive refurbishment. This work coincided with the centenary of World War One and sought to bring the Carillon up to a good condition with a focus on the building’s own centenary in 2023.

Loughborough Roll of Honour

“They whose names are here recorded were numbered among those who at the call of King and country left all that was dear to them, endured hardness, faced danger, and finally passed out of sight of men by the path of duty and self-sacrifice, giving up their lives that others might live in freedom. Let those who come after see to it that their names be not forgotten.“

The Loughborough Roll of Honour commemorates the men of Loughborough who served and gave their lives for their country from the Napoleonic wars to the Falklands conflict. It is also a source of further information on the Carillon Tower, the Songster story and other Loughborough memorials.

Loughborough Carillon's Facebook Page

Our Facebook page is where we get to give you news about the Carillon Museum and to share stories and pictures about Loughborough’s role in various conflicts.

We’d very much like to hear your stories and opinions too. And if you have any pictures of wartime events, or of friends and family members in the services at that time, please share them with us.