Morcott: Village Character, History and Walks

Morcott combines a remarkable village history with paths through open countryside. Between listed church architecture, historic houses and the disused railway cutting, there are many different impressions to discover. Anyone planning a trip can combine culture, short explorations around the village and walks in the surrounding area.

Historical Details in the Village

A prominent focal point is the Church of St Mary, a Grade I listed building. It represents Morcott’s distinctive historic character. Sundial House is also well worth seeing and is regarded as Morcott’s oldest dated house. The building features a combined sundial and date stone bearing the inscription “WC 1627” – a small, specific detail that stays in the memory during a walk through the village.

The historic context extends beyond individual buildings. Morcott Conservation Area was designated on 9 March 1981. Changes are managed in a way that takes the area’s special character into account. For visitors, this mainly means that the village can be experienced as a coherent whole, without the trip having to focus on just one attraction.

Open Countryside and the Old Railway Cutting

The trees in the disused railway cutting are also part of Morcott’s distinctive landscape. They provide an attractive backdrop to the village and are protected through their inclusion in the Conservation Area. North of High Street, the protected area also includes open land extending to a tributary of the River Chater. This land contributes to the views towards and out from the village.

Morcott therefore offers different ways to spend your stay: you can focus on architectural history and the village landscape, or give greater emphasis to the countryside and walking routes.

Walks with Different Areas of Focus

The Morcott Village Walk begins at the Village Hall on Station Road. This fixed starting point makes it easier to plan your own route without prescribing a particular itinerary. Those who would prefer to connect with the wider countryside can include the footpath at the end of Pingle Lane. It crosses a tributary of the River Chater and leads to South Luffenham.

The churchyard of St Mary the Virgin is another noteworthy place to pause. It has two benches, hundreds of spring flowers and 13 yew trees. For walkers on the long-distance Rutland Round trail, the site is considered a pleasant picnic spot. This allows an active day to be combined with a quieter break, without turning it into a fixed programme.

A Suitable Starting Point for Planning Your Trip

When looking for a holiday cottage or holiday house in Morcott, you can choose between focusing on the historic village landscape and spending more time walking.

Another distinctive feature is one of Rutland’s surviving tower windmills, located in Morcott. It adds a different architectural theme to the village’s historic impressions. Together with the paths, railway cutting and open spaces, this creates a destination that consists of more than a single highlight. When choosing your accommodation, therefore, consider which combination of exploring the village, walking and excursions best suits your trip.

More Places to Consider for Your Trip

If you would like to compare other places alongside Morcott, you can also find Uppingham, Oakham, Lyddington, Cottesmore, North Luffenham, Ashwell, Empingham and Langham.

For the higher-level travel overview: Rutland.