Rutland is at the heart of the East Midlands making it a great base to visit the rest of the area.
Here are just a few of the great places to visit, just a hop over the Rutland border.
Culture & Heritage over the border
Rockingham Castle is a short drive from Uppingham and was built by William the Conqueror. It’s the best example of a Norman Castle in Britain and has an exciting diary of events from Easter onwards. The Castle is still a family home and has been owned by the same family for 450 years.
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 around Easter to October (except Fridays), Burghley House and The Gardens of Surprise are 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 (first weekend in September) where international riders compete for the £50,000 prize fund over a 3 day event (which takes place over 5 days!). Excellent shopping facilities abound at this premier event with a number of pavilions, rural crafts, shops and food walk exhibitors keen to introduce you to their stunning array of products. Very tempting for a little early Christmas shopping!
Grimsthorpe Castle, this magnificent historic house, park and gardens are all set in rolling Lincolnshire countryside. Offering a great family day out with house tours and over nine miles of marked routes for cyclists – either bring your own bike or hire one on site, and adventure play area.
Peterborough Cathedral, is just 20 miles from Rutland Water. It is one of the finest Norman Cathedrals in Europe and the burial place of Henry VIII’s first wife, Katharine of Aragon. Its decorated ceilings are spectacular and include the rare 13th century painted wood ceiling in the Nave. The Cathedral is close to the city centre shops and on fine days is a very pleasant place to picnic.
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. This stunning Grade 1 listed castle is open to the public on selected days throughout the year. The formal gardens are stunning and include the Japanese Woodland, Duchess Garden and Hermits Garden. The resident birds of prey are kept to chase pigeons off the castle lead roof and if you’re lucky, you’ll be able to see them with their devoted handlers.
Deene Park just south of the Rutland border. This historic family home has grown from a mediaeval manor to a Tudor and Georgian mansion over the previous 500 years. Visitors to Deene Park are allowed to see rooms from each of the different periods. This interesting property is still owned, and lived in, by the Brudenell family who first occupied it in 1514. The formal gardens each have their own distinctive planting schemes, with the Parterre incorporating topiary tea pots!
Family attractions over the border
Twinlakes Park in Melton Mowbray is a wonderful family day out packed with acres of rides and indoor play centres for the whole family. Rides include The Buffalo Stampede, Gladiators Galleon and the Creepy Critters Reptile House. The park offers season tickets and group discounts.
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 for all ages.
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 practices. 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.
