Discover Rutland aims to develop and grow a sustainable tourism economy in Rutland through brand awareness, income generation and partnership working.
This is the section of the website where you can keep up to date with the latest information and opportunities happening within the tourism industry and find out about how to get involved through our membership and advertising opportunities.
About Discover Rutland – the official Destination Management Organisation (DMO) for England’s smallest, and greatest, county! Part of the Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP)
Who and What is Discover Rutland
Discover Rutland is the destination and promotional brand for tourism in Rutland, it sits within Rutland County Council, but is self funded predominantly by it’s membership scheme, and it’s activity is determined by the Discover Rutland Tourism Committee (DRTC), a group of volunteers from local businesses.
To help explain the structure of Discover Rutland, we have produced this Discover Rutland organisational chart.
Please find a list of Tourism Committee Members here.
We work in partnership with Destination Lincolnshire as the local LVEP, recognised by VisitEngland.
What we do
The main aim of the DRMC is to support it’s members, this is done by providing a contact point for business queries, delivering business events, developing a strong marketing platform for the county through the website, social media and providing useful literature such as a seasonal visitor guide and tourist maps.
We also provide an essential gateway for attracting and satisfying journalists enquiries, and communicating with the wider regional, national and international tourism partners.
Being a rural county with predominantly smaller businesses, we understand providing important industry information (such as funding) and relevant opportunities (such as free workshops) is a key service we provide to member. See our news page for the latest updates.
Networking opportunities are also available, we run ‘Tourism Talk & Tour’ events to provide an informal opportunity to get together, have a look around a different business and discuss business. We also hold a Discover Rutland Ball annually to both raise marketing funds and give the industry a chance to have a ‘knees up’ after the peak season. Plus there’s our annual tourism which highlights what work has been achieved and what the future plans are.
Business Support Programme 2025
Funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, a support programme has been developed to provide our local businesses with high quality, free of charge training, covering a variety of topics. To book onto on of our events, please follow the below links.
Workplace Wellbeing
The Workplace Wellbeing Workshop is provided by the Arthur Ellis Foundation. It will explore how companies can support and protect their employees and customers' mental health in a workplace setting.
- Venue: Anglian Water Birdwatching Centre, Egleton
- Date: 13th January 2025
- Time: 13:30-15:30
BOOK WORKPLACE WELLBEING
Dementia Awareness Experience
In support of Alicia Kearns MP campaign to make Rutland the first dementia friendly county in the UK. The award-winning Virtual Dementia Tour, operated by Training2Care, is an amazing opportunity which seeks to put delegates literally into the shoes of someone living with dementia to better support customers.
- Venue: The King Centre, Oakham
- Date: 28th January 2025
- Time: 10:00-13:00 & 13:30-16:30
BOOK DEMENTIA AWARENESS EXPERIENCE 10:00 - 13:00
BOOK DEMENTIA AWARENESS EXPERIENCE 13:30 - 16:30
Emergency First Aid Training
Delivered by Rutland Medical Solutions, the First Aid at Work Course provides a comprehensive set of theory and practical skills needed to deliver first aid to colleagues and customers.
Successful candidates will receive a certificate that conforms to HSE guidelines, valid for three years.
- Venue: Wisteria Hotel, Oakham
- Date: 12th February 2025
- Time: 08:30 - 17:30
BOOK EMERGENCY FIRST AID TRAINING
Fire Warden Training
Delivered by FTC UK this course is recommended for all employees to provide a basic understanding of all relevant Fire Warden duties.
- Venue: The Barnsdale
- Date: 27th February 2025
- Time: 09:00-12:00
BOOK FIRE WARDEN TRAINING
Accessibility Awareness & Champion Training
As the focal event of our support programme, this course will be supplied by Gillian Scotford from AccessibleUK and is designed to support your business in kickstarting our goal of Rutland becoming a place of accessibility excellence.
- Venue: Rutland Hall Hotel
- Date: 10th March 2025
- Time: 10:00-16:00
BOOK ACCESSIBILITY AWARENESS & CHAMPION TRAINING
Digital Business Support
Delivered as a webinar by The Rutland Web Designer, this course provides an insight into search engine optimisation (SEO).
- Venue: Virtual
- Date: 25th March 2025
- Time: 13:00-14:30
BOOK DIGITAL BUSINESS SUPPORT
Employment & HR Legal Support
Delivered by Hegarty & Co this course focuses on HR and employment law. Attendees will have the opportunity to provide questions in advance to ensure the course relates directly to local business needs.
- Venue: Virtual
- Date: 9th April 2025
- Time: 13:00-14:30
BOOK EMPLOYMENT & HR LEGAL SUPPORT
Allergen Awareness & Food Hygiene
Delivered in partnership with Peterborough City Council, the food hygiene course is focused on the Food Standards Agency’s: Safer Food Better Business (SFBB) and will cover aspects of legal requirements, best practice and common mistakes made by food businesses.
- Venue: The King Centre, Oakham
- Date: 24th April 2025
- Time: 09:30-12:30 & 13:30-16:30
BOOK NOW (ALLERGEN AWARENESS) 09:30 - 12:30
BOOK NOW (FOOD HYGIENE) 13:30 - 16:30
Discover Rutland Annual Tourism Forum 2024
The Discover Rutland Tourism Committee held their annual forum on Monday 15th January 2024 at The Barnsdale, with an open invite to anyone with an interest in local tourism to hear the committee report on the past 12 months and the plans for the coming year.
You can view the slides from the recent Discover Rutland Forum here.
If you are interested in becoming more involved in the Discover Rutland Tourism Committee, please email [email protected]
Business Support
Rutland County Council - Business Page - Think Rutland
As Rutland is part of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership, Rutland businesses can access all the useful support and development material available at Business Visit Lincolnshire, including The Green Tourism Toolkit and a variety of bitesize online business masterclasses.
Our Growth Hub Advisor for Rutland is Harry Haslam from Business Lincolnshire; [email protected] | 07825 426763
VisitEngland Business Advice Hub: Essential information, advise and resouces for tourism businesses. This includes the latest industry advice, training and guidance on your legal obligations.
Rutland is part of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). You can sign up to receive their updates here.
