Discover Rutland: Holiday Apartments Between Nature and History

Rutland combines impressive history, protected natural areas and unusual attractions within a compact area. Between castles, museums, regenerated quarries, gardens and Rutland Water, visitors can enjoy a wide variety of experiences, ranging from historic buildings to observing waterfowl and ospreys.

Culture and History

The Great Hall of Oakham Castle was built between 1180 and 1190 and is considered the best-preserved example of Norman secular architecture in Europe. The hall also houses a unique collection of more than 230 elaborate ceremonial horseshoes. They were donated by the nobility and peers of the realm. The grounds of Oakham Castle and the Great Hall can be visited free of charge.

Rutland County Museum displays archaeological exhibits on Rutland’s early history and houses the only surviving New Drop Gallows in England. During half-term holidays and school holidays, the museum organises workshops for children.

Lyddington Bede House was once a wing of a palace belonging to the Bishops of Lincoln. Visitors can see the Bedesmen’s rooms with their small windows and fireplaces, the impressive timber roof and the bishops’ great chamber with its carved Tudor cornice. The deconsecrated Normanton Church is also one of the area’s notable historic buildings: a causeway and an embankment access route were built to make it accessible from the shore of Rutland Water.

Nature

Ketton Quarry is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The grassland, scrub and woodland reclaimed by nature provide excellent habitats for butterflies, moths, wildflowers and reptiles. Summer is considered the best time of year for a walk in Ketton Quarry.

Rutland Water Nature Reserve regularly hosts more than 25,000 waterfowl. An osprey pair has nested in Manton Bay since 2007; the birds can be observed via a live webcam at the nest and from the Waderscape Hide.

Two walking trails lead from the Lyndon Visitor Centre through the woodland, across meadows and along the bay. The trails are suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. Rutland Water Visitor Centre provides information about the history of the reservoir and the wildlife of the nature reserve, and offers maps and information about cycling routes.

Experiences

Rutland Farm Park is an 18-acre working farm in Oakham. Visitors can explore the paths at Rutland Farm Park and meet and feed the animals.

Rocks by Rail is an open-air museum on 19 acres of a regenerated quarry with railway tracks. The museum has the only comprehensive collection in the United Kingdom of locomotives and rolling stock from standard-gauge quarry railways. Its offerings include nature trails, train rides, the opportunity to drive a historic locomotive and guided tours of the workshops. The Oakham Loop cycleway runs past the Rocks by Rail museum site.

Barnsdale Gardens comprises 38 small, thematically designed garden rooms.

Regional Produce

Mallard Point is a family-run winery with its own single vineyard. There is also a distillery in Essendine, Rutland, which offers tours. Mallard Point produces local gins as well as still and sparkling wines.

Compare Holiday Apartments in Rutland

When viewing offers for a holiday apartment in Rutland or comparing accommodation, you can check the exact location, type of accommodation, occupancy, included services, price components, and booking and cancellation conditions on the respective offer pages. Compare these points directly within the offers before deciding to make a booking.

Other Places in Rutland

Other location pages in Rutland: Morcott, Oakham, Lyddington, Uppingham, Ashwell, Greetham, Clipsham, Cottesmore, Langham, Seaton, Empingham, North Luffenham.

For the higher-level travel overview: East Midlands.