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.

Home of Ferneley’s Ice Cream, an adventure golf course, children’s play areas and an amazing countryside view from the cafe, visitors can be sure of a warm welcome come rain or shine.
Our family-run garden nursery, shop and restaurant is situated on the south shore of beautiful Rutland Water.

07/06/2025 - 08/06/2025

Join us for a Wonderful Weekend of Wonder in the beautiful Vale of Belvoir when we will be raising funds for local hospice care.
Rutland is a county bursting with flavour! The variety and quality of produce made in this area is astonishing.
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.
Otters Fine Foods brings a new dimension to the food shopping experience. We offer the most wonderful naturally smoked fish, meats and cheeses, all smoked using traditional methods with no artificial colourings, flavourings or preservatives.
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.

Start Date: 01/01/2017

Situated in the heart of the ancient market town of Uppingham, you will find a feast of inspirations to give your home a refreshing new look.
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 
Clipsham Yew Tree Avenue is a unique collection of 150 yew trees, most over 200 years old. The Avenue was once the carriage drive to Clipsham Hall, the centre of the Clipsham Estate.
A hidden gem in the countryside south of Rutland! Located between Stamford and Corby, Fineshade Wood provides a picturesque setting for your next family adventure.
If you’ve been inspired by our ‘Perfect Rural Escape’ tourism film, then here is a handy itinerary which includes all of the places featured.

Start Date: 01/01/2018

Supplying wines, beers and spirits to the local area and also to our online community. We pride ourselves in the quality of fine French wines, and only source from the very best suppliers in Europe, the US, Australia and beyond.

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.
Rutland’s most famous landmark was saved from flooding when Rutland Water was created in the 1970s. Now with the floor raised almost half way up the church, it is a fascinating building with a unique history.