Description
Ideally situated just off the A1, yet one of Britain’s best kept secrets. Here’s a taste of what is waiting to be discovered on your next group visit…
The popular Rutland combo: A morning at Barnsdale Gardens, followed by an afternoon cruise on the Rutland Belle
Barnsdale Gardens: With 38 individual gardens in an 8-acre site, there’s plenty to see and do, whether you are a keen gardener, an armchair gardener or a visitor looking to enjoy beautiful surroundings, a plant nursery and a welcoming tea room. Voted #1 Best Visitor Garden in the UK by readers of Garden News. Open all year round (except 24th & 25th December).
The Rutland Belle: One of the best ways to see Rutland Water is from the water – and a cruise aboard the Rutland Belle allows you to enjoy all the sights whilst listening to a commentary highlighting points of interest. Optional stop at Normanton Church. Groups can book exclusive morning sailings for a minimum of 30 people. Afternoon Cream Tea cruises also available. The boat has a licensed bar. Open April—October
Visit our traditional Market Towns
Oakham: The County Town of Rutland offers a lovely place to spend some time, with many shops, places to eat and free attractions: Oakham Castle is England’s most complete Norman Great Hall with a unique interior showcasing historic decorative horseshoes. Rutland County Museum has a
range of displays & exhibits celebrating rural trades & life. Market days are Wednesday and Saturday. Oakham coach set down point is High Street, opposite the Market Place, LE15 6AN. Free coach parking is available in the Kilburn Road car park, LE15 6QL
Uppingham: A quaint town brimming with art galleries, antiques shops and bespoke trades, plus a great selection of places to sit back and
enjoy food & drink. Market day is Friday. Uppingham coach set down point is North Street East, LE15 9QL. There is no designated coach parking unfortunately, however the laybys on Leicester Road, driving West on A47 are often used for this.
Some local attractions great for groups
Tolethorpe open air theatre: Home to the Stamford Shakespeare company, this remarkable open air stage with a comfortable, covered auditorium, is known as one of England’s premier alfresco theatre venues and delivers three different productions over the summer months. Group booking discount available.
Rutland Water Nature Reserve: An extensive internationally famous nature reserve regularly holds in excess of 25,000 waterfowl. The 1000 acres site offers over 30 hides and nature trails from their two visitor centres; Anglian Water Birdwatching Centre with excellent views, optics centre & gift shop, and Lyndon Visitor Centre which is the best site for spotting resident ospreys.
Rutland is surrounded by spectacular historic piles offering group visits: Belvoir Castle to the north, Burghley House to the east and Rockingham Castle to the south.
Rutland is known as The County of Good Taste for a reason…
Mallard Point Vineyard and Winery: Join a relaxing and informative tour of the vineyard, where you will be shown the different varieties, discuss viticulture and the grape growing practices before moving on to the Winery where you will be immersed into all of the magical aspects of wine making and sample some wines from tank or bottle.
The Grainstore Brewery offers 1-1.5hour tours including video, guided tour of the brewing process and ale samples with an option to include a Ploughman’s supper. Group sizes from 10-30, not available on Friday or Saturday evenings.
Hoggy’s Grill Cookery School: Let England Cricketing legend, Matthew Hoggard, explain why grilling is all about socialising with your friends and having fun! He can teach you everything from how to serve up the most incredible “smash” burgers to how to wow with wonderful, sizzling steaks.
Garden Centres Galore
Rutland Garden Village: on the outskirts of Oakham you will find this gemstone in our county crown. With ample parking on site, a lovely restaurant, separate cakery and large indoor and outdoor areas to browse seasonal plants and gifts, it’s an ideal stop-off.
Rutland Nursery: on the southern shore of Rutland Water, Rutland Nursery offers the very best in quality shrubs and plants. With over 90% of the plants on sale grown on-site, redeveloped in 2023, the new restaurant has unbeatable rolling views over Rutland Water
Welland Vale Garden Centre: near Uppingham is one of Rutland’s best-kept secrets! With over 40 years of experience, it’s the perfect place for any gardening advice. With a focus on quality well-cared for plants with frequently changing fresh ideas, large specimen plants from topiary to trees for instant impact, sundries and pots.
Gates Garden Centre: This huge site is more than a garden centre, with restaurant, farm shop, and additional units containing Lakeland, Mountain Warehouse and Cotton Traders. There is an array of indoor and outdoor plants, shrubs, herbs, trees and cut flowers, and the Christmas displays are renowned.
Group Experiences
Enjoy some group activities in Rutland, great for team building or having a laugh with friends and family.
Aqua Park Rutland; Don a wetsuit and jump into Rutland Water during the summer months to experience one of the larges aqua parks in England. With obstacles including the Rutland Mammoth jump and the Rutland Sea Dragon, it’s great fun.
One Way Out Escape Rooms; Great for any time of year, the choice of rooms in Oakham will require your thinking caps to solve the puzzles and beat the clock – this is the best value escape room in the UK and has been cleverly designed by an ex-science teacher.
Nordic Walk It!; organise a group session of Nordic walking, an enhanced walking technique that uses poles to exercise your upper body as well as your legs giving a full body, low impact workout, promoting good posture, muscle tone and flow of movement. A great way to enjoy our beautiful countryside!
And, or course, there’s the range of golf courses in the county to satisfy newbies and experienced golfers. Rutland Water Golf Course has fantastic views of the water and Greetham Valley enjoys two championship courses in rolling countryside. Both also offer par three courses, driving range and fantastic restaurant.
