The village’s name is thought to be derived from the Old English cweorndun, meaning “hill (dun) where millstones (cweorn) are obtained. The name was shortened from Quorndon to Quorn in 1889, to avoid postal difficulties owing to its similarity to the name of another village, Quarndon, in neighbouring Derbyshire.
Quorn is built around the old A6 road which runs through the centre of the village. On 28 October 1991 a dual carriageway bypass opened taking the A6 away to the northยญeastern edge of the village.
The village has a railway station called Quorn and Woodhouse, shared with the neighbouring hamlet of Woodhouse, which was on the national Great Central Railway network and is now on the preserved Great Central Steam Railway. Numerous royal visitors have disembarked at the station to take part in the Quorn Hunt, including the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII). As well as being a site of historical and cultural interest throughout the year, the station hosts a fireworks display on the Bonfire weekend.
Sarson Street, running adjacent to Rawlins Community College, features many 19thยญcentury terraced co๔ฐages, formerly those of framework knitters. Framework knitting was a major local industry until the onset of major mechanisation, and the cottages along this road display certain features typical of such an activity. Large windows for example were intended to allow in the necessary amount of light by which to work.
M. Wright & Sons Ltd have been manufacturing fabrics at Quorn Mill, on Leicester Road, since 1870. Originally producing fabrics for the footwear and corset trades, the factory now produces high technology textiles for various industries including military, aerospace and leisure.
“The Banks” area of the village is an ornate paved area with seating, designed to resemble the letter ‘Q’ when seen from the air.
Download a read the full document, sponsored by Right at Home, Loughborough, below.
