Canoes, kayaks, SUP’s, katakanus and row boats are all hired on a first come first served basis from our Watersports Centre at Whitwell, we do not take prior bookings. You can also bring your own equipment to use with a launch permit.
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
13/09/2025
Ride & Stride Rutland has 64 churches, much loved by the many thousands of people who worship in them, celebrate major life events or just gaze at them in admiration as they pass by.
19/04/2025 - 21/04/2025
Easter Circus at Belvoir Castle: Introducing Boom Circus’ Spectacular Show ‘BERT’ Get ready to be dazzled this Easter at Belvoir Castle as we proudly welcome the sensational Boom Circus and their incredible performance, ‘BERT’ — a show that knows no bounds.
Bat and Bottle are Rutland’s only specialist importers of Italian wine. Truly multum in parvo, we are winners of the Decanter Retailers Awards for Best Italian Wine Merchant, and came second for Best Subscription Wine Club, as wel as being the first ever (2020) London Wine Fair Wine Buyers Award for: UKs ‘Best Online Specialist Wine Buyer’.
Our small warehouse on Oakham Enterprise Park is packed with artisan wines – shoppers are welcome to drop in whenever we are open; we sell directly to the public and there is no minimum purchase. Our wine club was shortlisted by the IWC as one of the UK’s top two wine clubs, we have even represented UK small businesses at Downing Street… You can be assured that though serious when we buy our wines, you will never find life is too serious when you shop with us.
Mallard Point is a family-run Single Estate Vineyard and Distillery located in Essendine, Rutland, offering tours and creating a range of local gins and still and sparkling wines.
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.
If you find yourself staying in Oakham and looking for a reasonably flat walk to see the picturesque Rutland Water, then this is for you. It stays on pavements and hard footpaths so should never get muddy.
Creators of stunning bespoke metal, from staircases, furniture, gates and much more.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Bowl Everyone Over With Our Grilling Courses
A family-owned, independent garden centre with a restaurant and cakery on the outskirts of Oakham, located within a selection of tempting shops at Rutland Garden Village courtyard with children’s play area.
Start Date: 04/01/2010
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.
Rocks by Rail is an outdoor living museum covering 19 acres of reclaimed quarry and railway tracks to offer a journey back in time. Situated 4 miles from Oakham, explore fascinating nature trails, take a train trip, drive a classic loco and tour the workshop.
