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.

Oakham, the county town of Rutland, is a classic English market town, mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. It has a castle, market place, butter cross and stocks, a famous old school, all in close association with a magnificent parish church and arranged in a rectangular shape around which the town has grown.

14/04/2025

Join us for an exciting Easter adventure trail on the Lyndon Nature Reserve – the home of the Rutland Osprey! This family-friendly trail and walk is perfect for beginners and nature lovers of all ages. Wander along the nature reserve path, learning all about the Ospreys that call Rutland Water home.
Oakham is a unique place as it has one of the oldest continually active courts in England. There are numerous sites linked to crime and punishment and the last remaining New Drop Gallows in England, all within a short walk.
In and around Rutland, we have a fantastic variety of parks and gardens…⁠ ⁠ We have selected a few below that are really worth visiting… ⁠ ⁠ 🏞️Uppingham – The park in Uppingham has a new toddler play area that has recently opened! Check out this new green space with the little ones.⁠ ⁠ 🍃Oakham’s Cutts Close Park (next to Oakham Castle which is free) has something for all ages, plus a skate park and many cafes just a hop away in the town 
A guided walk through Uppingham’s Heritage. There are 20 identified sites numbered on the map.
The UK’s most exciting Aqua Park featuring the largest collection of bespoke big impact water obstacles at Rutland Water is open May through to September.
A family business, we have been selling art worldwide for over 40 years. We stock thousands of prints, paintings, drawings, ceramics and sculptures across a very wide range of top British, American and European artists.
Explore food, farming and the beautiful countryside on a visit to Sacrewell Heritage Farm and Country Centre. We have plenty to keep you entertained, with animals to meet, outdoor spaces to discover, a recently restored 18th century watermill and a large indoor soft play centre.
Rutland County Museum, located on Catmos Street in Oakham, is the perfect introduction to the smallest county in England.
Proudly hosting athlete focussed events in and around the county of Rutland, including triathlons, walks, swims and walks. This year you will see the return of some established favourites alongside some newer offerings, find the perfect event for your next sporting challenge!
It is said that the East Midland has the best riding countryside in Europe and we have many hunts in the area as well as private stables and of course the Internationally famous Burghley Horse Trails plus Rockingham Horse Trails.
Arts for Rutland is a Registered Charity committed to leading, promoting and supporting the arts in Rutland. It consists of a small volunteer committee that aims to be representative of the county’s arts organisations and various creative disciplines.
Where inspired British design meets the Spirit of India. A shop for lovers of beautifully designed, unusual and uplifting home furnishings on Mill Street in Oakham.
For those keen to hit the water, the Rutland Water Fishing Lodge is your starting point for boats, permits, tackle and tuition. Rutland Water Fishing Lodge is ideally situated and offers bait, tackle as well as tuition by experienced instructors.