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places to visit

Rutland

Did you know.....

Rutland is England's smallest county, nestled in the heart of England between Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire with its beautiful rolling hills and quaint historic market towns. Ninety minutes from London, two hours from Leeds, Rutland is easy to get to by train, car or bus. 

Check out below for lots of things to see and do in and around Rutland.....

Rutland is home to the largest reservoir in Europe - Rutland Water, set in 3,100 acres of beautiful rolling countryside it is also home to a wonderful diversity of British wildlife. For the bird enthusiast, a visit to the Lyndon visitor centre is a must as is the Rutland Bird fair each year.  For a more cultured appetite Rutland and surrounding areas are home to picture postcard villages, historic house and gardens, art galleries and the quaint market towns of Oakham, Uppingham and just outside - Stamford. Uppingham, incidentally, was recently named as one of the best places to live according to an article in the Times, March 2022.

Check out our stay active tab if you're feeling more energetic!

Rutland is the perfect place for enjoying the great outdoors.   Whilst boasting a 25 mile perimeter track, perfect for cycling, walking and running, Rutland Water is also famous for its water sports and sailing facilities   Rutland is also blessed with a plethora of fantastic golf courses, horse riding establishments and footpaths to cater for all.

Country Houses and Castles

Country Houses and Castles

Country Houses and Castles

Burghley House - 18m

Belton House - 32m

Apethorpe Hall - 18m

Rockingham Castle - 10m

Belvoir Castle - 30m

Lyddington Bede House - 6m

Oakham Castle - 9m

Kirby Hall - 15m

Deene Park - 14m

Local Market Towns

Country Houses and Castles

Country Houses and Castles

Rutland and the surrounding areas have a wealth of quaint historic market towns to enjoy an afternoon meandering around and exploring with their cobbled streets, farmers markets and wealth of independent shops, galleries and restaurants. Oakham (9m), Uppingham (4m) and Stamford (16m) are but three to wet the appetite. A little bit further, with its world famous pork pie, how could we forget Melton Mowbray (19m).

Farmers markets:

Uppingham and Stamford: Every Friday

Oakham: 3rd Saturday of every month

Melton Mowbray: Every Tuesday and Friday

country houses, market towns not your thing?.....how about:

Normanton Church (7m)

Rutland Falconry and Owl Centre (11m)

Rutland County Museum (9m)

Rutland’s most famous landmark was saved from flooding when Rutland Water was created in the 1970s. Now with the floor raised almost half way up the church, it is a fascinating building with a unique history. Normanton Church has become a stunning location for civil weddings and musical concerts.  

Rutland County Museum (9m)

Rutland Falconry and Owl Centre (11m)

Rutland County Museum (9m)

The Museum, located in Oakham, houses a collection of objects relating to local rural and agricultural life, social history and archaeology. 

Rutland Falconry and Owl Centre (11m)

Rutland Falconry and Owl Centre (11m)

Rutland Falconry and Owl Centre (11m)

Rutland Falconry and Owl Centre is a bird and wildlife sanctuary set in Burley Bushes woodland in a quiet part of Rutland. Meet birds of prey from around the world.

Barnsdale Gardens (12m)

Barnsdale Gardens (12m)

Rutland Falconry and Owl Centre (11m)

Barnsdale Gardens were made famous by Geoff Hamilton through the BBC television series Gardeners' World. Dubbed a theme park for gardeners, it links 39 themed garden 'rooms',  on its 8 acre site through its landscaped walkways ranging from romantic, cottage style plantings to more modern designs. 

Rutland Farm Park (9m)

Barnsdale Gardens (12m)

Rutland Farm Park (9m)

Rutland Farm Park is a small 18-acre working farm in the market town of Oakham. Open all year round it provides a wonderful opportunity for you to explore their tracks and meet and feed their wonderful and friendly animals.  

Open Air Theatre (20m)

The Rutland Belle Leisure Cruiser

Open Air Theatre (20m)

Set in the wonderful grounds of Tollthorpe Hall, each summer more than 34,000 people from throughout the UK and from overseas attend the Stamford Shakespeare Company’s acclaimed summer season of plays in June, July and August.  

Welland Viaduct (8m)

The Rutland Belle Leisure Cruiser

Open Air Theatre (20m)

Welland Viaduct, crosses the valley of the River Welland between Harringworth in Northamptonshire and Seaton in Rutland. The viaduct is 1,275 yards (1.166 km) long and has 82 arches, each with a 40 feet (12 m) span. It is the longest masonry viaduct across a valley in the UK. Built by the contractor Lucas and Aird, a total of 30 million bricks were used in the viaduct's construction. Completed during 1878, it has since become a Grade II listed building.  

The Rutland Belle Leisure Cruiser

The Rutland Belle Leisure Cruiser

The Rutland Belle Leisure Cruiser

 From Good Friday through to the end of October, the Rutland Belle sets sail daily from Whitwell Harbour on a leisurely cruise around the reservoir. Visitors can enjoy an audio commentary from the knowledgeable and amiable Captain whilst admiring the views of the county from the water. 

Foxton Locks

National Space Centre (19m)

The Rutland Belle Leisure Cruiser

This impressive staircase of locks in Foxton are a popular tourist attraction. The flight of ten locks are located on the Leicester line of the Grand Union Canal. The locks are also designated as a country park with lovely walks along the canal and into the surrounding countryside. 

Fineshade Wood

National Space Centre (19m)

National Space Centre (19m)

Fineshade Wood is a beautiful destination. Head into the woods to walk, run or cycle the trails. Next to the café is a Cycle Centre where you can hire a bike if you haven't already brought one with you to explore to undulating hills of Rutland!

National Space Centre (19m)

National Space Centre (19m)

National Space Centre (19m)

 At the National Space Centre, you can find out all about the history and future of space exploration, the planets and the farthest reaches of the universe. 

Annual events not to be missed

Burghley Horse Trials

Featuring 80 of the world’s top competitors, the annual Burghley Horse Trials is one of the UK’s top ten sporting events, and boasts a spectacular setting amongst picturesque Elizabethan parkland. Here, dressage, cross country and show jumping competitions combine to create a spectacular four-day equestrian extravaganza. Don't forget, if you can tear yourself away from the horses, the shopping and food fair is just as impressive! 

Battle of the Proms

This quintessentially British ‘party in the park’ features a 2 hour orchestral programme with all the ‘last night of the proms’ finale favourites, all in the grounds of the stunning Burghley House.


Hallatonfest

Hallatonfest is located in the beautiful village of Hallaton just over the border in rural Leicestershire. The festival is an affordable 3 day family event that aims to bring you the best new and upcoming bands plus some excellent tribute acts. The event starts on Friday afternoon and finishes on Sunday night. 


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