Construction works to protect and enhance the Grade II* Listed buildings and onsite museum at Taylor’s Bellfoundry in Loughborough – the last bellfoundry of its kind in Britain – are now complete.
Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Loughborough Town Deal, alongside other Trusts and Foundations, private donors, organisations and communities, the project has been led by the Loughborough Bellfoundry Trust, working in partnership with the bellfounding firm of John Taylor and Company.
In a remarkable triumph for British heritage conservation, the completion of works means the bellfoundry is now saved from closure and can continue its centuries-old craft of casting and restoring bells.
The construction works have seen the restoration and modernisation of the Bellfoundry buildings and the redevelopment of the site’s museum.
The new museum will give visitors a glimpse into the world of bellfounding and provides an educational experience for all ages, safeguarding the bellfoundry’s legacy for generations to come.
The Loughborough Bellfoundry Trust was set up in 2016, when a small group of passionate individuals from the bell-ringing community came together to rescue the bellfoundry. Their collective determination saw the start of a 10-year journey to restore and safeguard it.
Taylor’s Bellfoundry – which was built in 1859 and is on the edge of Loughborough town centre – has cast more than 25,000 bells which are located in over 100 countries.
Bells from the foundry hang in famous landmarks including London’s St Paul’s Cathedral, the Washington National Cathedral in the US capital, Australia’s National Carillon in Canberra, and South Africa’s Cape Town City Hall.
Following a tender process, construction works commenced in spring 2023 by specialist heritage conservation firm Messenger BCR, working alongside architects Caroe, who drew up the comprehensive plans to restore the Victorian site. Other specialists involved included exhibition designers Redman Design and museum retail experts cre8.
Phase one of the programme of works included the stripping out of the existing museum, removing internal walls – which were added to the bellfoundry in the 80s – and replacing the leaking roof.
Accessibility for all was a key objective of the renovation, with a lift and disabled and baby changing toilets now installed.
Phase two of the project started earlier this year and saw the reconfiguration and improvement of the company archive room – which is home to an extensive working archive with documents dating back to the late-18th century, offices, and board room which is now available to hire as a meeting space for outside organisations and community groups.
Further works included the restoration of the original historic entrance to the site, used by generations of the Taylor family, and the relandscaping of the Carillon Courtyard for visitors to explore and enjoy the grounds upon arrival.
The museum has had a complete transformation. Its increased footprint will enable more visitors to explore the history, craftsmanship and engineering that has made the bellfoundry a world leader in bell-making. It now features an accessible, multi-function activity room and provides an interactive and inclusive experience to visitors of all ages.
There are two primary spaces to explore within the museum. Firstly, a ground floor timeline detailing the history of both the bellfoundry and the art of bellfounding. Secondly, the Patternmaker’s Gallery, which displays a series of objects that have been recovered from existing foundry spaces, located in the original patternmaking workshop.
Throughout the museum, visitors will have the opportunity to touch and handle objects, making it an immersive and authentic experience for families, schools, bell enthusiasts and history lovers.
Trustee of Loughborough Bellfoundry Trust, Andrew Wilby, said: “First and foremost, thank you to our funders, The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the National Lottery players who make these funding pots possible. The Loughborough Town Deal, and the many passionate personal donors who supported us – it was incredibly humbling to see the number of people who cared about the bellfoundry and wanted to help protect this important part of British history.
“The trustees and I are elated that we have come to the end of our epic 10-year journey. Our aim to restore, enhance and protect the bellfoundry is now complete – and not only is it safe and secure – we now have a modern and engaging new museum which will pass on the history, importance and the magic of this place to people of all ages for many years to come.
“A final acknowledgement and thanks to the volunteers who are the life and soul of the bellfoundry and have been a major contributor to this project. Not only will we be able to welcome many more visitors than ever before, and we encourage everyone to come and visit us, the completion of these works means there are now more volunteering opportunities at the Bellfoundry for those who are passionate about bells, heritage and culture.”
Robyn Llewellyn, Director, England, Midlands and East at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “It’s fantastic that the new Taylor’s Bellfoundry heritage experience is now open to the public, after the extensive redevelopment and renovations to the site’s Grade II* listed buildings. It’s thanks to National Lottery players that we were able to award this project with a grant of £3.7 million, ensuring that this important part of Loughborough’s unique heritage can be preserved, and its story shared for many generations to come.”
Martin Traynor OBE, chair of Loughborough Town Deal, said: “Loughborough is known around the world thanks to Taylor’s bells and I am so pleased the work to preserve the bellfoundry has been completed. It is fantastic to see the difference that they have made.
“This is a historic industry, not just in Loughborough but in the whole of the UK and it is so important that the Town Deal has been able to support a project to secure its future.
“The bellfoundry will now be able to look ahead and keep this wonderful bell-making tradition alive in Loughborough for decades to come and encourage visitors to come to the town and visit its rich history.”
The National Lottery Heritage Fund provided a grant of £3.7 million to the bellfoundry thanks to National Lottery players, plus match-funding which brought the total project value to £6.5 million.
£835,000 was awarded to the bellfoundry from the Loughborough Town Deal as part of its £16.9 million from the Government’s Towns Fund, to boost skills and support the visitor economy and the town centre of Loughborough.
To mark and celebrate the opening of its new heritage experience and to thank all involved, the Trust recently hosted a launch event at the bellfoundry. Messenger BCR, Caroe and all other construction partners were invited, as were special guests including members of the Taylor family, representatives from Loughborough Town Deal and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Dr Jeevun Sandher MP, Cllr Dr Julie Bradshaw MBE – Mayor of Charnwood, Bishop of Loughborough, Bishop Saju Muthalaly, and Vice Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Colonol Murray Colville, TD DL.
Now a thriving hub of activity once again, the bellfoundry is still producing some of the finest bells in the world and it will continue to be a vital cultural asset to British industrial heritage and industry.
Taylor’s Bellfoundry also known as John Taylor’s Bellfoundry, or simply Taylor’s, is the last major bellfoundry in Britain and Commonwealth.
