Rutland is blessed with several heritage sites and is surrounded by stately homes.
Tucked away off the Market Place in Oakham sits Oakham Castle, inside the Castle you can see a magnificent oak-timbered roof, leaded windows and a stunning aristocratic display of over 240 gilded horseshoes, given to the Lord of the Manor by royalty and peers of the realm on their first visit to Oakham. The oldest surviving horseshoe in the collection dates back to Edward IV’s visit in 1470 after his victory at the Battle of Losecoat Field. More recently, horseshoes have been presented by the then Duchess of Cornwall (2014), now Queen Camila, and a lovely double display from the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh (2024), Prince Edward and Sophie.
Burghley is one of the largest and grandest houses of the 16th Century, Burghley is the heart-felt legacy of William Cecil, Lord High Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth I and the generations of his family who have lived in the house ever since, ensuring that the house and estate continue to thrive.Enjoy the treasures that fill every room. Burghley contains one of the largest private collection of Italian art, unique examples of Chinese and Japanese porcelain and superb items of 18th Century furniture.
Find hidden trails, imaginative planting and Elizabethan trickery as you explore the Burghley Gardens. Two spectacular gardens, each with their own distinct atmosphere and beauty. Discover horticulture, sculpture and sensational seasonal colour as you stroll through the undulating landscape of our Sculpture Garden, Capability Brown’s lost gardens. Then step into a world of classical civilisation, astrology and astronomy in the highly entertaining Garden of Surprises. A sensory delight with the unexpected at every turn.
Belvoir Castle sits within the Vale of Belvoir, it’s history dating back to the eleventh century. It is the ancestral home of the Duke of Rutland, where the family have lived in an unbroken line for almost a thousand years.The castle is open to the public for certain days throughout the year, please check their website for full details. For lovers of the outdoors, the groups and gardens are open all year round and there are many walks available.
Meander through the formal gardens on the castle terrace and into the woodland then on through the Japanese, Duchess’s and Hermit’s gardens. The Duke’s Walk is three miles and allows you to take in all the gardens with stunning views. Well-behaved dogs are welcomed throughout the garden and park, however as there is wildlife and livestock roaming in these areas, please do keep them on lead at all times.
The castle and surrounding parkland play host to a range of country pursuits, corporate events and wedding parties, as well as featuring in films including the Da Vinci Code and Young Victoria.
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.
Built on the instructions of William the Conqueror between 1066 – 1071, Rockingham Castle has sat resplendent on an escarpment dominating the Welland Valley for almost a millennium. Today, the Castle offers a glimpse of life through the ages from the routine of the Servants’ Hall and Old Kitchen to the Victorian splendour of the Long Gallery.
Rockingham Castle’s grounds and Formal Gardens are no less of a journey through time. The layout of gardens dates from the 17th century, following the restoration of the Castle gardens after the English Civil Wars. Emulating the Norman keep, the circular Rose Garden was laid by Sir Anthony Salvin in the mid-nineteenth century and corresponds with his design of the Flag Tower in 1836.
