Rutland Water
One of the reasons many people come to Rutland is to visit Rutland water and for good reason, it is very beautiful. Many people elect to cycle around the reservoir and for good reason, it is probably the best way to see it other than risking getting wet in a boat. Around the shores you will find ample parking, cafes, pubs and places where you can hire bikes as well a boats if you are a sailor at heart. With the odd adventure playground and places for picnics it is an idea place to take a family for a day out.
Rocks to Rails
A little gem to be found in Rutland is the Rock to Rails museum just outside the village of Ashwell. Run by volunteers and set in a reclaimed quarry it gives a taste what the iron ore production in the East Midlands was like until the demise of the British Steel Industry which also saw the closure of many quarries in the region. The museum has an ironstone exhibition, a working railway line with steam engines, a workshop and loco yard, a nineteen sixties style cafe and a nature trail. It is advisable to check the museums website before you visit to make sure it open and check the days the steam trains are operating. From experience it is a great place to take the children and you can get up real close to the exhibits, so go and enjoy this gem.
Northfield Farm
Northfield Farm is located on the A606 between Oakham and Melton Mowbray. It is a working farm that produces it own meats from rear breed cattle and sells some of the finest meats I have ever had the pleasure to cook. Other than being a fine food outlet it is an open farm where you can see up close the working of a modern day farm and a great place to take the children. There are normally baby pigs in the pens near the farm buildings, other animals that you can see in the fields, a childrens play area and a cafe. It is worth a visit if your in the area and if you want a decent Sunday dinner then pop into the farm shop and pick yourself up a one of best joints of meat you can find in the East Midlands.
Oakham
Oakham is a really pretty market town set in some beautiful countryside, but if you want to see it in all it's beauty don't delay going to visit this charming town. The town is rapidly being spoilt by over development. Green spaces and the green fields surrounding the town are being turned into concert jungles and the nature will soon be town spoilt forever. See it now before it is too late and it becomes a blot on the landscape and a supermarket heaven for those that like such things; those who don't miss the joy of shopping on the High Street, for the lovely small business in the town will soon be long gone to be replaced by connivance stores and charity shops.
Uppingham
Uppingham is well worth visiting as are some of the surrounding countryside and villages (some of the best in Rutland). Relatively unspoilt be the developers and their friends at Rutland County Council it retains a lot of its character. The main shopping area is still full of family run businesses that have been trading in the town for years. A must is the bakery which sells some of the finest rolls I pastries that I have ever had the pleasure of eating. Not far from Uppingham you will find the next two attractions, Bede House and the Eyebrook Reservoir
Bede House
Bede House was originally the merdieval wing of a palace belonging to the Bishops of Lincoln, and in 1600 it was converted it into an almshouse for 12 poor ‘bedesmen’ and two women. It remained in use as a almshouse until 1930. Nearby there are the remains of the rest of the palace and a impressive village church. The house can be found in the beautiful village of Lyddington, just outside Uppingham, which is well worth visiting in it's own right with it typical stone built Rutland cottages.
Eyebrook Reservoir
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Eyebrook is the forgotten reservoir, over shadowed by it bigger neighbor Rutland water, but it is well worth visiting if you are into wildlife, especially bird life. It is equally as stunning as Rutland water and a great place if you are into fishing. Even in the winter months the hardy fisherman can be seen on the water trying to catch something to take home for dinner. The only thing to beware of is the width of the roads and the odd cyclist that travel round the water, so if your in a car just take it easy and don't forget to pop into the church at Stoke Dry and see the wall paintings, which includes Norman image of what appear to be Red Indians!
Stamford
Just on the boarders of Rutland in Lincolnshire is the beautiful town of Stamford. Walking through the streets is like walking back in time. The town is well known for its medieval core of 17th–18th century stone buildings, older timber framed buildings and boasts no less than five medieval parish churches. The town itself is a conservation area, in fact the first conservation area, and since then the old town has been made an area of outstanding architectural and historic interest. It is a natural treasure and It is a place you must visit if you are in the area, in fact it was once voted the best place to live in a national poll.
Kirby Hall
Moving in Northamptonshire, and the Corby area once famed for it still mills they is the remains of one of the finest country houses in England.The house was based on French architectural pattern books and expanded in the classical style, and although mainly roofless the evidence of its former glory is clear for all to see. Set in gardens that match the style of the house it is well worth the entry money to get in. If the weather is fine take a picnic with you, there are picnic benches in the garden but avoid race days at Rockingham Speedway unless you want the noise of motor cars spoiling your meal.
Rockingham Castle
The former royal castle and hunting lodge at Rockingham is a mile north of the town of Corby. It was built on the instruction of William the Conqueror on the site that has for many years been used to site fortifications because of its position on elevated ground overlooking the valley of Welland. As well as visiting the castle itself and doing the official tour you can also visit the gardens and the tea rooms. Throughout the years the castle is host to a number of events and it is well worth checking out the official website to see what is going on before you visit. It is not cheap to get into the castle but it is worth the money if you make the day of it and there is plenty to do if you take your time and wander around taking everything in.
Rockingham Speedway
If you fancy a change from all the countryside and you enjoy the roar of a large engine then Rockingham Speedway is for you. The track itself was opened in 2001 and it was constructed on the site of the former British Steel Works in Corby. The circuit is based around a banked oval and the intention was to bring the American oval racing across the Atlantic to Britain, and it is the fastest banked track in Europe. Over the summer months Rockingham Speedway hosts a number of events including the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship. Before you go the circuit check the official circuit website and buy your ticket online to save you some pennies, buy tickets on the day is considerably more expensive, and if you feel you want to try it yourself why not take your own car for a high speed spin.
Foxton Locks
Moving now into Leicestershire you can find largest flight of staircase locks on the English canal system with two 'staircases' of five locks. Foxton Locks are located on the Leicester line of the Grand Union Canal just over 3 miles west of Market Harborough close to the nearby village of Foxton. Other than the working locks there is museum where you can learn more about the locks and how they were built. There are miles of canal towpaths to walk along and there is a tearoom and a choice of local pubs serving food, as well as for those on a budget areas where you can enjoy a picnic. While you are there you should also take in the town of Market Harborough.
Belvoir Castle
National Space Centre
On the outskirts of Leicester is the National Space Centre that was opened in 2001 as all-weather attraction for all the family. The centre is filled with rockets, satellites in includes one of only two Soyuz capsules on display in the West. The centre made up from six main galleries of exhibits that space flight, astronomy and cosmology. It also has a cinema and planetarium, a gift shop and a restaurant that is located in the nozzles of a two launch vehicles. Finally be warned it isn't a cheap place to visit but special deals and family tickets make it slightly more attractive than it would be otherwise.
Donington le Heath Manor
Donington le Heath Manor which is near Coalville in in North West Leicestershire. It is a lovely old medieval manor house set in authentic laid out medieval gardens. The house itself was built over 700 years ago and dates back to 1288 and includes exhibitions on medieval life with occasional exhibitions on a wide range of subjects. Interestingly it was home to Everard Digby who was a close friend of Guy Fawkes, and he was executed in 1606 for being one of the Gunpowder Plotters. It is enter the house, which free parking and there is a cafe if you need a drink or fancy a homemade cake or two. During the summer they have loads of events again all free. It is a lovely place to sit and enjoy the summer sun.
An airfield might be a strange place to suggest to visit, but at the weekend it can be a very colourful place to visit. It is home of the British Parachute School so not only can you go along and watch people jump out of completely serviceable planes, you can even have ago yourself. The best time to go is on a sunny windless weekend and the Airfield has a café for food and drinks and toilets for when you are desperate. The airfeild itself is in Nottinghamshire and about a 30 minute drive from Oakham down some beautiful country roads.
Finally in such a short post it is hard to include all that there is to see in one place, so if i have missed your favorite place in and around Rutland I'm sorry, but if you search the blog it might just turn up. To everyone that reads this I hope you have a lovely summer and enjoy the sun while it lasts.
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