We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The Tripadvisor website may not display properly.We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.
Open today: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Save
Review Highlights
Ticked one Bucket List item ...

As a bell ringer the foundry has long been on my "To Visit" bucket list ... and recently finally... read more

Reviewed 25 October 2023
Kieron B
,
Adare, Ireland
The Bell Foundry Loughborough ....A fascinating piece of living history

Our Dene Valley U3A run many different types of interest group, including ours which visits... read more

Reviewed 25 July 2023
trevorsB6657EU
,
Stratford-upon-Avon, United Kingdom
Read all 86 reviews
  
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Reviews (86)
Filter reviews
86 results
Traveller rating
72
12
1
0
1
Traveller type
Time of year
LanguageAll languages
Traveller rating
72
12
1
0
1
Show reviews that mention
All reviews guided tour well worth a visit fascinating visit entertaining guide modern technology small museum step back in time all ages casting tuning taylors mould molded craftsmen heritage skills
Selected filters
Filter
Updating list...
43 - 48 of 86 reviews
Reviewed 18 July 2018

Fifteen members of the Deepings U3A met at the Museum for a guided tour of the factory. It was a fascinating and enjoyable visit ably guided by John Mulvey. The museum consisted of a collection of memorabilia well documented showing the history of the foundry. (Note the largest Bell foundry in the world). There were a number of artifacts to interact with. The tour of the factory floor showed many and detailed processes for the both restoration of older bells and finishing of the newly cast ones. We saw in action many of the processes including lathe work, tuning, fettling and mould making. We were given information on Bell ringing and the installation of Bell towers and Carrilon bells

Date of experience: July 2018
Thank dascott32
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 8 June 2018 via mobile

Have enquiried several times booking the tour and was lucky enough to get onto one with three bells being cast! The Museum part is interesting especially one gets to pick up a mallet & ring the bells (children will like this!) The talk by the tour leader is informative & packed with fun facts. The chance to see how the red, hot molten being tipped into ladle & poured into the moulds is fascinating! Not many foundries are left now & it is a good showcase of the industrial heritage for this country. Well worth a visit to see something different, even one is not crazy about bells!

Date of experience: May 2018
Thank Almaly H
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 2 July 2017

14 of us (from Orpington U3A Industrial Archaeology group) booked a tour of the foundry - which, since the Whitechapel bellfoundry closed, is the only operating bellfoundry in England. Also, unlike Whitechapel, you see the working foundry - it's not just a museum of artifacts.

Our guide, Chris Birkby, was very knowledgeable and we saw the whole process in different parts of the foundry, from casting the bells to polishing and testing for tone. Absolutely fascinating. Definitely to be included in your itinerary if you like industrial heritage.

You must wear strong (not fabric) enclosed shoes eg trainers or boots

Date of experience: June 2017
Thank StellaCaroline
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 9 May 2017

Went in quite a large group - which led to problems hearing the guide at times. But sa a very good DVD of the whole process, together with historical items, the foundry and the tuning area. Well worth a visit.

Date of experience: May 2017
Thank LichTraveller
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 30 April 2017

Fascinating tour showing how bells are cast and made including vital ingredients like manure. Including seeing a peel of bells at the end. Close to the Great Central Railway in Loughborough

Date of experience: September 2016
Thank BootsMidlands
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
View more reviews