Sovereign state United Kingdom Area 278.9 km² | Area rank 147th | |
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Colleges and Universities Loughborough University, Loughborough College, RNIB College - Loughborough Points of interest Bradgate Park, Charnwood Museum, Mount St Bernard Abbey, Watermead Country Park, Beacon Hill - Leicestershire | ||
The Borough of Charnwood is a borough of northern Leicestershire, England. It is named after Charnwood Forest, which it contains. The population of the Borough at the 2011 census was 166,100. Loughborough is the largest town in the district and serves as the borough's administrative and commercial centre.
Contents
Map of Charnwood, UK
History
The district of Charnwood was formed on 1 April 1974 as a merger of the municipal borough of Loughborough, the Shepshed urban district and the Barrow upon Soar Rural District. It was then granted borough status on 15 May 1974.
The symbol of Charnwood Borough Council is the fox, historically linked with Leicestershire, and this is also the symbol used by Leicestershire County Council. Charnwood also contains Quorn, which is believed to be the birthplace of fox-hunting.
Geography
To the south it borders the City of Leicester, about 20 km away from Loughborough. There is a moderately urbanised A6 corridor between the towns and close to the River Soar, including Quorn, Barrow-on-Soar, Mountsorrel, Birstall, Thurmaston, Syston and East Goscote. Shepshed, to the west of Loughborough, is the other major town in the district. The highest point is Beacon Hill (248m/814 ft).
Political representation
There are two Parliamentary constituencies covering the district. Charnwood is represented by the Conservative Edward Argar MP. Loughborough is represented by the Conservative Party's Nicky Morgan.
Demographics
Charnwood is the largest borough by population in Leicestershire, and has the largest school population as well.