Nearby attractions

Rutland’s central location makes it an ideal place to stay during a holiday to the East Midlands.  Close at hand are a great range of fascinating attractions. 

Culture & Heritage

A short drive from Uppingham, Rockingham Castle was built by William the Conqueror and is the best example of a Norman Castle in Britain. Open from Easter, the Castle is still a family home and has been owned by the same family for 450 years. Click here to visit Rockingham Castle's website.

Burghley House, in Stamford is a 20 minute drive from Oakham and well known as the largest and grandest house of the first Elizabethan Age.  Open to the public daily from 20th March to 31st October this year (except Fridays), Burghley House and The Gardens of Surprise is a fascinating family attraction.  Burghley is also home to one of the most exciting events in the equestrian calendar; the annual Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (2-5 September 2010) where international riders compete for the £50,000 prize fund over a 3 day event.  www.burghley.co.uk

Belvoir Castle, in nearby Leicestershire dates back to Norman times.  Belvoir has been the ancestral home of the Duke and Duchess of Rutland for one thousand years and is currently the family home of 11th Duke and Duchess and their five children.  Open from March to October with free guided tours on weekdays at 12.30pm and 2.30pm.  www.belvoircastle.com

Deene Park just south of the Rutland border, this fantastic building has grown from a mediaeval manor to a Tudor and Georgian mansion, allowing visitors to see rooms of different periods. This interesting property is still owned by the Brudenell family who first occupied it in 1514. www.deenepark.com

Grimsthorpe Castle this magnificent historic house, park and gardens is set in rolling Lincolnshire countryside. Offering a great family day out with house tours and over nine miles of way marked routes for cyclists - either bring your own bike or hire one on site. www.grimsthorpe.co.uk  

Family attractions

Twinlakes Park in Melton Mowbray is a wonderful family day out packed with acres of attractions, rides and indoor play centres for the whole family.  This year, new rides include The Buffalo Stampede, Gladiators Galleon and the Creepy Critters Reptile House.  Open every day, the park offers season tickets and group discounts. www.twinlakespark.co.uk

Conkers is an award winning attraction at the heart of the National Forest with a mix of both indoor and outdoor experiences to keep all the family engaged for hours.  Indoors are four discovery zones designed for both children and adults.  Outside, 23 activities are on offer including lakeside walks, sculpture and nature trails. www.visitconkers.com

The National Space Centre in Leicester is a great day out for the family and is the largest attraction in the UK dedicated to space. There are hours of discovery and interactive fun to be enjoyed at this excellent attraction. www.spacecentre.co.uk

Sacrewell Farm & Country Centre is just over the Rutland border, off the A47 towards Peterborough. You’ll find plenty of things to keep your family entertained here, feed the animals, hop on a tractor, race around our kart track or learn about olden day farming practises. The little ones can make friends with Bluebell the rabbit, meet Beatrice the shire horse and George the lamb, and if that’s not enough, why not explore the straw bale maze, the bygone watermill and the indoor activity barn. There is also The Stables Restaurant the Three Little Ducks Shop on site. www.sacrewell.org.uk