If you’re looking for where to don your cossie and do some lengths, this useful list should help…
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
Global Birdfair is a fantastic event for all generations to enjoy.
Keeping our minds and bodies active is vital in the upkeep of our mental health and Rutland is the perfect place to do so. Whether you’re looking to recharge your batteries in the great outdoors and get your brain focused on some arts and crafts, or get some adrenaline pumping with fun activities, you will never be stuck for things to do in Rutland.
The Barnsdale experience is all about enjoying exceptional food and drink. Our homely 1760 Brasserie and breath-taking Orangery, are accompanied by a number of fabulous private spaces.
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
Cycling is one of the easiest ways to keep fit and healthy, it can be a fun activity for all the family. A bicycle does not cause pollution or contribute to climate change.
From Farm, To You, By Lou X
Visit Our Farm Shop for Meat, Poultry, Farmhouse Pies, Artisan Burgers, Craft Sausages & More.
Rockingham Castle is home to the Saunders Watson family, whose ancestors have made their lives here for the last 450 years, following the sale of the Castle by James I in 1619 to Sir Lewis Watson.
Pack your bucket and spade and head to Rutland Water beach – the 1st inland bathing water location in England to have a Blue Flag and Seaside Award!
Download the 7 Heritage Trails, each with a circular walking and cycling route exploring Rutland villages and fascinating local history.
From snowdrop season in February when flowers carpet the ground, to blossom time in May when the trees are awash with colour and our famed sweetpea summers, Easton Walled Gardens’ seasonal highlights offer endless inspiration.
Drawing on a rich heritage dating back to the 18th Century, Stamford Arts Centre is a thriving multi-arts venue that provides the opportunity to experience and participate in a wide selection of art forms from theatre, cinema, music and poetry to sculpture, dance, painting and drawing.
Tim Norton’s is your friendly Bosch Car Service Centre in Oakham, offering a wide range of products to the motorist. Rutland has seen us grow from humble beginnings to our present location in Long Row, which boasts one of the best staffed and equipped garages in the county and is ideally situated near Oakham Train Station.
Welcome to the Rutland Church Trail: A guide to 15 churches in the County of Rutland
The magic of Tolethorpe is something special which we highly recommend you experience for yourselves. Enjoy a picnic in the beautiful grounds in front of Tolethorpe Hall, then take your seat in the covered auditorium, and see an open-air stage like no other, with amateur productions from the extremely talented Stamford Shakespeare Company.
It is said that the East Midlands has the best riding countryside in Europe and the area historically attracted many hunts due to the rolling hills making it easy to view horses for miles around. The region had many private stables and of course the Internationally famous Burghley Horse Trails.
