48 hours in Rutland
It may be the UK’s smallest county, but this beautiful bolthole is packed with plenty of attractions, animal antics and adventure to keep the whole family happy
If you like getting lost in the great outdoors, you’ll love Rutland Water. With 4,200 acres of open countryside and England’s widest reservoir, it’s the perfect base for walking, cycling, fishing and watersports. Famed for being the only osprey site in England – and an important wildfowl sanctuary – twitchers will be in their element at the nature reserve. Covering a total area of 1000 acres, there are more than 30 hides and nature trails to explore at your leisure – plus two visitor centres with experts on hand to help you with identification. With a keen eye, you might even spot a few water voles, frogs or grass snakes!
Green-fingered enthusiasts will love the horticultural haven that is Barnsdale Gardens. Originally developed by Geoff Hamilton of Gardener’s World, this eight-acre site has landscaped walkways
linking 38 individually themed areas. Among these, you’ll discover a blooming fruit orchard and a brightly coloured Mediterranean garden, as well as a holistic Japanese garden and an enchanting woodland teeming with wildlife. If the array of scents and sights has you feeling inspired, take a look in the centre’s very own plant nursery.
If you’re visiting with the family, you’ll want to make a beeline for Bugtopia The Zoo. Located on the banks of Rutland Water, this attraction has been created to engage the whole family in the wildlife that plays a key part in our ecosystem. Enjoy hands-on interactions with stick insects, lizards, giant snails and tarantulas and learn all about the animals with talks from a handler.
Housing more than 75 different species of animal, you’ll meet more than just insects here. Other exotic residents include meerkats, large hairy armadillos, raccoon dogs, bats, lizards and even frilled dragons!
If you like the idea of browsing among historical buildings and quaint independent shops and cafes, pay a trip to the charming market town of Uppingham. Here, you’ll find stylish boutiques, hand-crafted gifts and hidden treasures in antique shops – plus lots of locally produced gourmet delicacies. On Fridays, market stalls line the streets of the town centre, offering even more foodie finds and keepsakes to choose from.
If your tastebuds are after something scrumptious for supper, book a table at the Olive Branch in Clipsham village. This homely gastropub delivers inventive British cooking and real ale in quirky and cosy spaces. Dishes are based around local and seasonal produce – with shellfish from the east coast, dairy delicacies from the Vale of Belvoir and foraged herbs and fruits from the surrounding hedgerows,
woodlands and fields.
Located in the historic market town of Oakham, The Wisteria Hotel prides itself on being the perfect base for exploring much of Rutland. A beautiful retreat, it has all the modern creature comforts, plus the charm and character of a country house, with its oldest parts dating back to the early 17th Century. All 25 bedrooms feature ensuite facilities, with ground floor rooms available for easy access. After a day out and about, retreat to the cosy bar and restaurant, which boasts original wooden beams and a log fire.