Paula Radcliffe Stadium

Loughborough's athletics track bears the name of one of Britain's greatest distance runners, and it's a proper working stadium rather than a museum piece. You'll find the Paula Radcliffe Stadium on the Loughborough University campus - it's still used for competitive events and training, so what you see depends entirely on when you visit. On a match day, there's real energy here; on a quiet Tuesday afternoon, it's essentially a university facility going about its business.

For serious athletics fans, catching a fixture or university event makes the trip worthwhile. The track itself is nothing fancy from a visitor perspective - modern, functional, well-maintained. If you're just turning up hoping for a look around, you might find access limited depending on what's happening that day. Ring ahead before making the journey from wherever you're based.

This works best as part of a broader Loughborough visit rather than a standalone destination. The town itself has decent enough shops and a university buzz, and if you're staying at one of the nearby campsites - Midshires Way is only 4.3 miles out - you could combine it with exploring the surrounding countryside. Bradgate Park, five-odd miles away, is the real draw for a proper day out with walking and views. The stadium's more for completists and die-hard track fans than casual visitors. Worth knowing about if you're in the area, but don't plan your holiday around it.