Things to do in Rutland - Discover Rutland

TV presenter Julia Bradbury, known for her work on BBC’s Countryfile and who has travelled across the UK and many parts of the world, is a big fan of the county and believes that we offer something for everyone here.

If you enjoy the great outdoors, then you’ll find lots of thing to enjoy in this rural retreat. Outdoor sports are extremely well catered for with plenty of walking and cycling routes available, plus fishing, golfing and the huge choice of watersports that take place on Rutland Water.

Rutland is a great place to pursue an interest in your surroundings, whether you have a passion for wildlife and nature, an enthusiasm for gardening or a keen interest in photography and landscape painting. There are two nature reserves around Rutland water, with many hides providing a great opportunity to spot a rare bird to two – or you can visit one of the many stunning gardens open to the public. Treat yourself to a trip to the beautiful Barnsdale Gardens – explore the gardens, take a gardening course and buy stunning plants to take home with you for a lovely reminder of happy memories in Rutland.

If you prefer to stay indoors there are plenty of places for you to explore too: theatres, art galleries and shopping in our two Market Towns that offer a huge variety of boutiques, farm shops and family run stores .

Rutland is very proud to offer visitors and locals an abundance of locally produced food and drink. There are numerous award winning pubs, restaurants and hotels in the county, with each able to inform you of the provenance of their menus.

Rutland is also a great base for you if you’re keen to explore the East Midlands. Many of the finest English stately homes are easy to reach from Rutland; museums, concerts, outdoor cinemas, sports facilities, family friendly attractions and things to do make our county a superb choice for you and your family.

Featured Listings

Living Heritage Game and Country Fair

25/05/2025 - 26/05/2025

Living Heritage Game and Country Fair Enjoy a packed programme full of country sports and family friendly entertainment Enjoy first class entertainment from some of the countryside’s top names and organisations and try out lots of country sports such as Clayshooting, Airguns, Archery, and Fishing.

Ganders Goat Walking

Ganders Goat pride themselves on their green focused farming and production methods. Come Goat Walking on the farm, where they produce a range of Soap and Ice Cream from the goat milk.

Global Birding

Global Birding aims to inspire birdwatchers to come together as a global community and celebrate birds, by participating in birdwatching, birdwatching events, citizen science and conservation. The major event is Global Birdfair 14-16 July 2023 which attracts a multitude of exhibitors and visitors who are passionate about conserving nature worldwide. Global Birding is the brainchild of Tim Appleton MBE, co-founder of the first and biggest Birdfair which he ran for 31 years. Prior to creating and managing Rutland Water Nature Reserve, he worked for Sir Peter Scott at the world famous Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust.

Walkers Bookshop – Oakham Books, Greetings Cards, Newsagent, Thorntons

Walkers is a locally run, family bookshop that was started by my father back in Oakham during 1972. Since then we have been quietly beavering away, serving the communities in Rutland with books, cards, news and more for nearly 50 years.

One Way Out Escape Rooms

THE MOST FUN YOU CAN HAVE IN SEVENTY MINUTES! Highest Quality. Designed by original thinkers, beautifully built by skilled craftspeople.

Belvoir Castle & Belvoir Retail Village

Crowning a hill outside the county of Rutland, the Castle’s turrets and towers rise over the Vale of Belvoir like an illustration in a romantic fairy-tale. There is something for everyone with our parklands, Retail Village, Adventure Playground & more!

Normanton Church

Once part of Normanton Estate, local residents fought to save ‘St Matthew’s Church’ from demolition when the reservoir was created in the 1970’s. Now deconsecrated and with a new floor level, Normanton Church has it’s own embankment making it a prominent feature on the water.

Rutland Walks: Empingham

Two circular walking routes taking in the countryside around Empingham and Rutland Water, starting at The White Horse.

Local Walks

We have collated a table for you with information on the distance of the walk, where to find the map and even some pubs along the route to stop of for a well deserved drink!

Food Map Southern Cycle Route

Part of the new Discover Rutland Food & Drink Map is this Southern Route of 23.7 miles. The route follows rural roads and an option to join the Rutland Water cycle paths.

Elizabeth Stanhope Interiors

Start Date: 01/01/2019

Elizabeth Stanhope Interiors is a retail and interior design consultancy business situated in the trendiest street in Oakham, Mill Street. WIth rooms full of inspiration, luxurious fabrics, paints, wallpapers and accessories, you can plan your next design project with expert help.

Woolroom

Woolroom is the leading provider of natural, healthy sleep in the UK and is based locally in Oakham. Using British wool in all its products it offers all natural and chemical free sleep products including mattresses, duvets, pillows, mattress toppers and protectors for both adults and children alike. Whilst its whole product portfolio can be found on-line it also has a small showroom locally in Oakham which can be booked by appointment for personal consultations.

Anglian Water Birdwatching Centre

Nestled just next to the picturesque village of Egleton, the Anglian Water Birdwatching Centre provides the ideal start point for your visit to Rutland Water Nature Reserve. Here you will find a well stocked gift shop, light refreshments, and friendly staff and volunteers on hand should you need assistance.

Moana Jr at Stamford Corn Exchange

04/07/2025 - 06/07/2025

Moana JR. Stamford Pantomime Players is the longest serving society in Stamford. They have been very successful over the last couple of years, being nominated for NODA awards for best pantomime and summer show and winning the best pantomime in 2023 with their production of ‘Aladdin’.

Royal Visit 2024

Rutland welcomed Their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh in May 2024, highlighting more reasons to visit Oakham and see the new Royal installations. Follow in their footsteps with this day itinerary below;