Congregational Chapel (Kibworth)
The Congregational chapel at Kibworth has an important place in the history of modern tourism.
The chapel is on the main A6 road in Kibworth Harcourt. It was built in 1767, and has a gallery dated 1815. The manse is at right angles to the chapel and was built in 1794.
Thomas Cook had been asked, in 1841, by his colleagues in the Temperance movement to try to promote a tea party which had been organised at Loughborough.
Shortly afterwards, he was walking from his home in Market Harborough to a meeting in Leicester. On passing the Congregational chapel, he had a brainwave – why not use the newfangled railways? The resulting hire of a train was the beginning of an industry which brings millions of pounds every year into the country.