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PLACES TO VISIT IN AND AROUND RUTLAND |
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Rutland is the UK’s smallest County, hidden away in the very heart of this ‘Secret England’, surrounded by green pastures and gentle rolling hills. With two historic market towns and forty quaint, villages with honey coloured cottages in local limestone and roofs of thatch or, Colly Weston slate, ancient churches and Georgian architecture – Rutland is reminiscent of a bygone age, an ideal place to get away from it all and relax. |
Welland Valley |
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The picturesque market towns of Oakham and Uppingham, offer visitors a unique shopping experience, providing quality service, old world charm, and the beauty of being able to park the car close-by the shops. Rutland is the perfect place for walking with its quiet country lanes and miles of footpaths passing through ancient royal forests, beautiful open countryside and some of the prettiest villages in this part of England. |
Uppingham |
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Rutland Water, England’s largest lowland lake offers a huge number of outdoor activities. An important Internationally renowned centre for wildlife, particularly bird watching. Rutland Water’s 3000 acre site is just perfect for sailing, canoeing, rowing, windsurfing, cycling, fishing, walking, golf, horse riding and even rock climbing. |
Rutland Water |
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Eyebrook Trout Fishery, Caldecott - a 400 acre reservoir in an idyllic location offering visitors peaceful and tranquil surroundings for fly fishing, walking, and bird watching. |
Eyebrook Reservoir |
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Rockingham Castle. Built by William the Conqueror over 900 years ago, poised on the hills above the Welland Valley with amazing views over four counties. Visitors to the castle will immediately understand why William ordered a castle to be built there. As well as a fortress it was an important seat of government, the Great Council of Rockingham being held here in 1095. Many medieval kings came to Rockingham Castle. Richard the Lion Heart played host to his Scottish counterpart here. Rockingham Castle is featured in the BBC's recent series Medieval Lives by Terry Jones. |
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Only three miles from Corby is The famous Bede House, situated in Lyddington village, with rows of pretty limestone cottages. One famous attraction in Lyddington is the 15th century Bede House, originally the medieval palace for the Bishop’s of Lincoln. A grand medieval residence constructed largely in the 15th century, and accommodating many influential occupants until 1547 when the property was seized by the church. |
Bede House |
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Another notable historic building in the area is the majestic, Seaton Viaduct – Britain’s longest brick viaduct, built in 1876, spanning three quarters of a mile across the Welland Valley. Eighty two massive arches, built from 15 million bricks and rising 70 feet above the surrounding countryside, a monument to the days of steam. The viaduct can be seen from miles around and is a majestic sight, particularly at sunrise. |
Seaton Viaduct |
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Burghley House, famous for its annual horse trials. It is a grand structure built in the first Elizabethan age. There was a religious house on the site of the present structure as early as the 12th century. Burghley House is open to the public and welcomes many visitors. Marvel at the gardens and house, discover a wealth of treasures including paintings and sculptures. |
Burghley House |
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The first and only American oval race circuit in Europe hosting many different attractions from NASCAR and Superbike racing to pop concerts. The race track is open to the public on non race days. You can enjoy a lunch at the race track restaurant. If you are lucky you may see some high speed practice sessions. |
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Another interesting place to visit in Rutland is, Kirby Hall, a beautiful Elizabethan house dating from 1570 - a real jewel of English Renaissance. Although barely more than an uninhabited and ruinous shell, this fine house still displays many of the ornate external features that formed part of the original building. The house was inhabited for nearly 200 years by the Hatton family. |
Kirby Hall |
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A well known attraction in Rutland is Barnsdale Drought Gardens, only 15 minute drive from Caldecott is Barnsdale Drought Garden and Arboretum, familiar to millions of BBC2 viewers as home to the late Geoff Hamilton of the BBC’s Gardner's World. Barnsdale gardens comprise 37 individual gardens on an 8 acre site. The gardens are arranged in many different combinations offering a wealth of practical ideas for amateur gardeners. |
Barnsdale Gardens |
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For the steam railway enthusiast there will be a serious need to visit Oakham Signal Box. Built in 1899 by the Midland Railway Company. The signal box has been featured on the box illustrations for some of the famous Hornby train sets. It is still used today to control the level crossing in the centre of Oakham. For local railway history visit the railway museum. |
Signal Box |
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Belvoir Castle, built in 1070 is the ancestral home of the Duke of Rutland the castle has breathtaking views across the Vale of Belvoir. The original castle survived almost 400 years but was unfortunately raised to the ground during the War of the Roses in 1464. The castle contains a notable collection of furniture, porcelain and paintings by Gainsborough, Reynolds and Poussin. |
Belvoir Castle |
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The splendid Great Hall of Oakham’s Norman castle is one of the finest examples of late 12th century domestic architecture in England. It was built by Walkelin de Ferrers, a Norman baron, in about 1180-90. Almost certainly, the stonework was carved by masons who had worked at Canterbury Cathedral. They used local stone from Clipsham. |
Oakham Castle |
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Rushton's Triangular Lodge is a very interesting folly, designed and constructed between 1593 and 1597 by Sir Thomas Tresham in Northamptonshire. Tresham was a Roman Catholic and imprisoned for a total of fifteen years in the late 16th Century for refusing to become a Protestant. On his release in 1593 he designed the Lodge as a testament to his faith. His belief in the Holy Trinity is represented in the lodge by the number three; it has three walls 33 feet long, each with 3 triangular windows and surmounted by 3 gargoyles. The building has three floors and a triangular chimney. |
Triangular Lodge |
| For more information on the county of Rutland, click here | ||||
Rutland’s motto cannot be more accurate, ‘Multum in Parvo’ – MUCH IN LITTLE |
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