Car Hire Loughborough

Car Hire

The Midlands region of the United Kingdom is home to many historical destinations, including the underestimated market town of Loughborough. This Leicestershire town is famous for its university, whose students account for nearly 25 per cent of the local population. The university creates a bustling atmosphere across the town during term time. However, Loughborough also enjoys a lovely tranquil ambiance during the summer break. Car rental in Loughborough makes it easy to explore the town and the reach the nearby cities of Leicester and Nottingham.

Who to Book With
Sixty, Enterprise and Avis are the largest car hire companies found in the town centre and surrounding districts of Loughborough. However, they operate in conjunction with other local rental firms, which include Jays Rental Vehicles and Freeway Car and Van Hire. All firms provide online booking services for customers, which will certainly save visitors time and money.

Best Time to go
The best time to visit Loughborough is during the summer months of July and August. During the summer, the weather is mild and the town becomes much quieter, as university students that make up a quarter of the population travel home for the break. This gives tourists a better opportunity to explore the town’s attractions, especially with car hire, as traffic is usually light.

Need to Know Essentials
There are several documents visitors must present in order to rent a car in Loughborough:

- A national driving license
- Passport identification for address and secondary ID purposes
- Booking voucher confirmation
- The credit card used for reservation

Visit our page on FAQ's for more details.

Driving
The streets around the centre of town tend to be thronging with pedestrians during most days of the week, so motorists need to be cautious when driving. Keep speeds low and be wary of people walking into the street. Free parking is limited, although there are some street-side parking areas that allow 30-minute and one-hour standing at times. Several multi-story car parks are available in the heart of the city as well. Be wary of peak hour traffic, which can be horrendous at times. Because public transportation is limited to taxis and buses, driving is the most efficient way to get around the city.

Tourists are recommended to read our guide to the UK for more information on driving in the country.

Transport

Driving in Loughborough makes it much easier to get around. However, tourists can also find some public transportation services if needs be. Taxis are found within the city centre, and buses make it possible to connect to major landmarks in Loughborough, such as the university. Loughborough Train Station is found to the east of the town centre, connecting to the surrounding cities of Leicester and Nottingham. There is no inner-city train network linking the landmarks of Loughborough, however. There are numerous highways and well-maintained roads leading to the city, so daytrips are easy with hire car.

Taxis
The city of Loughborough is serviced by several private taxi companies that allow visitors to book online or over the phone. The most widely used taxi companies operating in Loughborough include TK Taxis and the Loughborough Taxi Service.

Buses
Tourists and locals can get around the city using the small yet efficient bus network. The inner-city public bus service is operated by Kinchbus, which not only offers a convenient service, but is also inexpensive. The central area of Loughborough and every corner of the city are connected by bus. However, there are also several private bus companies that provide connections to destinations outside the city itself. These include companies like Trent Barton and Arriva Leicester.

Exploring

Loughborough is close to a plethora of interesting natural and manmade attractions, all within easy reach when driving. The town is located within the East Midlands region, which is home to some grand landmarks. Parks, castles, forests, lakes and interesting towns can be reached within an hour or two’s drive from the heart of Loughborough.

Recommended Drives

Belvoir Castle - Located close to the town of Grantham, stands as one of the most impressive estates in the Midlands region of the United Kingdom. This Norman castle welcomes thousands of visitors per year, and also boasts a charming little hotel, a restaurant, a cricket club and an art gallery.

Bradgate Park - Sitting only a short distance from the centre of Loughborough, provides tourists with a great place for camping, fishing, and other outdoor activities. There are also some landmarks inside the park, including the brilliant folly of ‘Old John’ and a war memorial. The park is situated just five miles to the south of Loughborough.

Sherwood Forest - This is the perfect place for outdoor lovers. Less than 45 minutes from Loughborough, this forest is where Robin Hood’s legendary Major Oak is found, not to mention many miles of walking and cycling tracks. Visitors can access this landmark along the A614 highway.