Oakham

A charming market town with a beautiful hexagonal market hall and medieval All Saints Church, offering a quintessentially English countryside atmosphere. The town serves as an excellent base for exploring Rutland Water and the surrounding rural East Midlands.

Things to do

• Explore Oakham Market Hall — Wander through the striking Victorian hexagonal market hall built in 1901, a striking focal point of the town centre still hosting weekly markets.
• Visit All Saints Church — Admire this impressive medieval parish church with its distinctive spire and intricate interior monuments spanning centuries of local history.
• Rutland Water Activities — Visit England's largest man-made reservoir just outside town for sailing, fishing, bird watching, and lakeside walks with excellent visitor facilities.
• Oakham Castle — Tour the remarkable Norman great hall, one of the finest surviving examples in England, featuring a fascinating collection of horseshoes gifted by visiting dignitaries.
• Rutland County Museum — Discover local heritage and archaeology in this intimate museum housed in a Victorian ironstone building, showcasing rural Rutland life through the ages.
• Walk the Town's Georgian Streets — Stroll through beautifully preserved Georgian and Victorian streets lined with independent shops, cafés, and historic buildings in the compact town centre.
• Normanton Church at Rutland Water — Visit this haunting Grade II listed church submerged in the reservoir during winter months, accessible on the peninsula and offering unique photographic opportunities.

Food to try

• Rutland Pies — Sample traditional hand-made pies featuring local ingredients such as Rutland beef and game, available from local bakeries and market stalls.
• Rutland Water Fish — Enjoy fresh-caught pike, perch, and trout from Rutland Water prepared in local restaurants, often simply cooked to highlight the local catch.
• East Midlands Sausages — Try locally-made pork sausages with regional seasoning from Oakham's butchers, integral to traditional English breakfasts in town cafés.
• Market Hall Local Produce — Browse seasonal fruits, vegetables, and local cheeses sold at Oakham Market Hall on market days, sourced from nearby Rutland farms.
• Afternoon Tea — Experience traditional English afternoon tea at the town's independent cafés and tearooms, often featuring homemade cakes and local specialities.

Local customs & good to know

• Horseshoe Tradition at Oakham Castle — A 600-year tradition requires distinguished visitors to donate a horseshoe to the castle, now displayed in the hall as a unique local custom.
• Market Day Energy — Visit on Wednesdays and Saturdays when the market hall buzzes with vendors, locals, and tourists creating the authentic heart of town life.
• Rural East Midlands Pace — Embrace the slower, friendly pace of this market town where locals frequent independent shops rather than chains, and conversation happens naturally.
• Rutland Water Community Connection — The reservoir is central to local identity and recreation, with water sports clubs and seasonal bird-watching events creating strong community engagement year-round.