Rutland Area Guide

Rutland is England’s smallest (approximately 16 miles long by 16 miles wide) and one of the prettiest counties. This is the perfect place to spend time enjoying the great outdoors. Rutland Water offers a multitude of leisure pursuits including watersports, cycling, fishing and bird watching, while Rutland’s many attractive villages set in the wonderful English countryside, are home to picture postcard cottages and traditional country pubs.

The quaint towns of Oakham and Uppingham offer a range of individual boutiques; Uppingham is famed for its antiques and galleries, whilst the county town of Oakham offers a great mix of quality high street and independent shops – not to mention a castle!

Known as The County of Good Taste due to the plethora of fantastic local producers and providers.

Highlights and attractions

Rutland Water

Rutland Water is the largest reservoir in England, set in 3,100 acres of countryside and it has a 23-mile perimeter track for walking or cycling. Since the water is drawn upon when needed, the relative areas of land and water vary a little, but the flatter parts of the lake margin are enclosed by banks so that the wetland nature reserve is maintained. A 1,555-hectare area of lake and shore is a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest, a Special Protection Area, 1,333 hectares is a RAMSAR internationally important wetland site, and 393 hectares at the western end is managed by the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust.

Fishing, birdwatching, walking, cycling, water sports – you name it – Rutland Water has it! Not only does it bring vital water resources for the surrounding regions, but it also provides a fantastic day out for all the family. Whether you’re looking for an action-packed day on the water, a spot of fishing to escape the stresses and strains of everyday life, or simply want to enjoy a tranquil walk in beautiful surroundings, look no further than the fabulous Rutland Water Park.

Normanton Church

Rutland’s most famous landmark was saved from flooding when Rutland Water was created in the 1970s. Now with the floor raised almost halfway up the church, it is a fascinating building with a unique history.

Normanton Church has become a stunning location for civil weddings, corporate meetings and musical concerts. It is only open to the public during certain events, but you do not have to go inside to marvel at this beautiful building and its surroundings.

Rutland Watersports Centre

Rutland Watersports Centre is on the north shore of Rutland Water Park at Whitwell, offering sailing, kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding and windsurfing. The centre is owned and operated by Anglian Water providing a great place to hold or enrol in events, courses, activity days and corporate days. The Centre is also AALA, British Canoeing and RYA certified training school.

Aqua Park Rutland

Located at the Rutland Water Sports Centre, Aqua Park Rutland is the UK’s most exciting Aqua Park, opens May through to September and featuring the largest collection of bespoke big impact water obstacles. Slides, trampolines, wall climbing courses and some of the biggest blast bags making it the ultimate day out for groups, families, adults, children age 6+!

Rutland Water Nature Reserve

This internationally famous nature reserve is managed by the Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust in partnership with Anglian Water and provides one of the most important wildfowl sanctuaries in Great Britain, regularly holding in excess of 25,000 waterfowl.

It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, designated as a European Special Protection Area and internationally recognised as a globally important wetland RAMSAR site.

Rutland Water Nature Reserve occupies shoreline and shallow water lagoons along 9 miles of the western end of Rutland Water and covers a total area of 1000 acres. There are over 30 bird watching hides and nature trails from two visitor centres with experts to help you with identification.

The Anglian Water Birdwatching Centre is nestled just next to the picturesque village of Egleton, provides the ideal start point for your visit to Rutland Water Nature Reserve. The Centre runs a number of events throughout the year, from guided walks to activity weeks for children, to willow weaving and hedge laying courses! The Rutland Environmental Education Centre is based in the centre, providing free educational visits for school groups. Open daily 9am – 5pm (closing 4pm Nov-Feb)

Lyndon Visitor Centre & Nature Reserve is one of two visitor centres at Rutland Water Nature Reserve. Located on the South Shore of the Reserve, it was opened by Sir David Attenborough in 1985 and offers the birdwatcher, wildlife enthusiast or first-time visitor the opportunity to experience this peaceful spot with stunning views across the water.

Away from the Centre a self-guided trail leads visitors through a variety of habitats ranging from old and newly created woodland to ponds full of aquatic life and seven birdwatching hides. Since 2007 a breeding pair of Ospreys have nested on the reserve and the bespoke osprey viewing hide offers spectacular views of these magnificent birds throughout the summer.

The Rutland Falconry and Owl Centre (RFOC)

The Centre is home to a superb international collection of Birds of Prey – Owls, Hawks, Buzzards, Falcons, Eagles and Vultures who live next to a fascinating array of flora and fauna. Since 1999, RFOC has nurtured and protected the biodiversity of the local woodlands, creating a secure home for the Centre residents alongside the native woodland birds, animals and plants.

Oakham Castle

Britain’s finest example of Norman architecture, it was built between 1180-90 and is one of the oldest surviving aisled stone halls in the country.

Inside the Castle you can see 240 presentation horseshoes hanging on the walls, given to the Lord of the Manor by royalty and peers of the realm on their first visit to Oakham. The oldest surviving horseshoe in the collection dates back to Edward IV’s visit in 1470 after his victory at the Battle of Losecoat Field. More recently, horseshoes have been presented by the Princess Royal (1999), the Prince of Wales (2003), Princess Alexandra (2005) and the Duchess of Cornwall (2014).

The hall is also decorated with a range of 12^th century sculptures. Above the columns are six musicians, each playing a different instrument. They are made of local stone from Clipsham and are believed to have been carved by masons who had worked at Canterbury Cathedral.

Oakham Castle is the longest-running seat of justice in England and was first recorded being used as a court in 1229. It is still used as a Crown Court, with proceedings being held in the castle every two years.

Rutland County Museum

The museum is located in Oakham, in the old Riding School of the Rutland Fencible Cavalry, which was built in 1794–95. It opened in 1969, houses a collection of objects relating to local rural and agricultural life, social history and archaeology. Temporary exhibitions are shown alongside the permanent displays. Admission to the museum is free.

Rocks By Rail: The Living Ironstone Museum

Rocks by Rail – formerly known as Rutland Railway Museum – is situated 4 miles from Oakham and tells the local story of how private railways were used in the local ironstone extraction industry to move the extracted stone on the first part of its journey to the distant steelworks. It takes visitors back to the days before mass road transport when most minerals were was carried by rail and quarries had their own rail system.

The museum hosts a large collection of steam and diesel locomotives and wagons associated with quarry railways in the East Midlands and eastern England. The museum has the only comprehensive collection of locomotives and rolling stock relating to standard gauge quarry railways in the UK.

Barnsdale Gardens

Barnsdale Gardens were made famous by Geoff Hamilton through the BBC television series Gardeners' World, which he presented from 1979 until his death in 1996. They are on The Avenue in Exton, a short distance north of Rutland Water. Geoff Hamilton began developing the garden in 1983 from what was then a ploughed field. It now covers 8 acres, comprising 38 individual gardens and features.

Welland Valley Viaduct (Harringworth Viaduct or Seaton Viaduct)

It crosses the valley of the River Welland between Harringworth in Northamptonshire and Seaton in Rutland. The viaduct is 1,275 yards long and has 82 arches, each with a 40 feet span. It is the longest masonry viaduct across a valley in the United Kingdom. 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 Welland Viaduct is on the Oakham to Kettering Line and is generally used by freight trains and steam specials.

Wakerley Woods

Part of the Rockingham Forest, Wakerley Wood is a great place to enjoy a walk and a picnic, get some fresh air whilst exploring some of the area's most beautiful landscapes.

Lyddington Bede House

Set beside the church of the picturesque ironstone village of Lyddington, Lyddington Bede House originated as the medieval wing of a palace belonging to the Bishops of Lincoln. By 1600 it had passed to Sir Thomas Cecil, son of Queen Elizabeth’s chief minister, who converted it into an almshouse for 12 poor ‘bedesmen’ over 30 years old and two women (over 45), all free of lunacy, leprosy or the French pox.

Visitors can wander through the bedesmen’s rooms, with their tiny windows and fireplaces, and view the former bishops’ Great Chamber on the first floor, with its beautifully carved ceiling cornice.

Clipsham Yew Tree Avenue

It is a unique collection of 150 yew trees, most over 200 years old. The Avenue was once the carriage drive to Clipsham Hall, the centre of the Clipsham Estate. A small, free car park gives year-round access to the Yew Tree Avenue, where admittance is free.

Rutland Open Air Theatre

One of Europe's finest theatre venues, Tolethorpe Hall is home to the Rutland Open Air Theatre where the resident Stamford Shakespeare Company present an annual season of plays across June, July and August. A stage set in an enchanting glade, a company of fine actors, stunning sets and gorgeous costumes combine to create a magical setting for the works of the world's greatest playwright. Comfortably seated and protected from occasional summer showers beneath a permanent all-weather canopy, visitors will enjoy all the comfort of an indoor theatre with the charm of an open-air setting.

Walks and Trails

Rutland is the perfect place for walking and has long attracted ramblers who enjoy finding their way around the tiny villages, little known tracks and country lanes. One of the best features is that you are never far away from a great village pub!

Places to go, things to see

A few trails for consideration:

• Barnsdale – Whitwell = 1 mile
• Whitwell – Sykes Lane = 1.5 miles
• Sykes Lane – Normanton = 2 miles
• Hambleton Peninsula circuit = 5 miles
• Fineshade Woods offers cycling facilities and 3 walking trails
• Dales Wood trail – scenic woodland walk using purple markers. 3 miles (4.8 km)
• Mill Wood trail – long woodland walk using pink markers. 6 miles (9.7 km)
• The Smelters’ walk – short, circular family friendly walk using yellow markers. 2 miles (3.2 km)
• The grand estates from our local Stately homes and castles also offer beautiful scenic routes; Burghley House – Rockingham Castle.

Oakham

Oakham is a pretty, traditional English market town, bustling with activity. Packed with heritage, there’s plenty to see in Oakham, including the Rutland Country Museum and Oakham Castle. The architecture of the renowned Oakham School dates back to 1584 and is a major landmark in the town.

On High Street you cannot miss the impressive Victoria Hall, a Grade II listed building rich in history and now serving the community as a multi-functional venue. You will also find a nice selection of independent shops in the town.

On the Market Place on a Wednesday or Saturday to find a burgeoning display of the finest local produce from meats and pies, to local cheeses, artisan bread and fresh free-range eggs.

Mill Street is offering everything you need to relax, unwind and indulge. With top class boutiques, salons and artisans. This street is home to some popular local businesses including jewellery makers, vintage clothing and art galleries

Uppingham

A wealth of history and a host of excellent shops can be found in Rutland’s smaller market town of Uppingham. The town is blessed with a range of speciality shops and traditional retailers, many of whom are still family owned and run. Antiques waiting to be discovered in Uppingham include glass, china, cutlery, silver, jewellery, maps, furniture, mirrors, coins and many more objects d’art.

Art is very important to Uppingham with a number of art galleries displaying work from acclaimed artists from around the world as well as introducing visitors to a plethora of talented local artists. peter barker fine art is a great example of this, and the internationally renowned Goldmark Gallery is certainly not to be missed.

Uppingham has been a functioning market town since the 14th century. It has the only fatstock show still to be held in temporary penning in a traditional market town, with farmers bringing their livestock just prior to Christmas to enter them into many judging categories.

Uppingham School has been providing education locally since 1584 and is considered one of Britain’s best schools for music as well as housing one of the largest private theatres in the country. Uppingham School was founded by Robert Johnson, the Archdeacon of Leicester, who also established Oakham School.

Traditional country inns, stylish restaurants and cosy English tea rooms are dotted around Uppingham all vying to tempt your taste buds!

Love Uppingham is a website dedicated to this beautiful Rutland Market Town, celebrating its vibrant community and array of shops, events and places to eat.

Commuting

Rutland sits in the very heart of England, approx. 2.5 hours from London, 45 minutes from Leicester and within half an hour from Peterborough, Corby and Kettering. The popular Georgian market town of Stamford is within a short drive.

Rutland has excellent road links with easy access to the A1 (providing access to London as well as to the North), the A47 and the A43.

Oakham Train Station has regular rail service to Peterborough station which is on the East Coast high-speed direct line to London Kings Cross.

For international travel, three airports (London Stansted, London Luton and East Midlands Airports) are within one and half hour drive away.

Schools

Rutland has two renowned independent schools, the Oakham School (an independent boarding and day school for 10–18 year olds) and the Uppingham School (an independent boarding and day school for pupils 13-18).

The nearby Stamford also offers excellent schools including Stamford School and Stamford High School, long-established independent schools, which together with Stamford Junior School form the Stamford Endowed Schools.

New College Stamford offers post-16 further education: work-based, vocational and academic; and higher education courses including BA degrees in art and design awarded by the University of Lincoln and teaching-related courses awarded by Bishop Grosseteste University. The college also offers a range of informal adult learning.

Other reputable school within commutable distance:

Witham Hall School - an independent boarding and day school for boys and girls aged 4 to 13 years.

Oundle School - an independent boarding and day school for pupils 11-18