Rutland (or Rutlandshire), inland county of England, bounded W. and N. by Leicestershire, NE. by Lincolnshire, and SE. by Northamptonshire; greatest length, N. and S., 18 miles; greatest breadth, E. and W., 17 miles; area, 94,889 acres, population 21,434. Rutland is the smallest county in England. The surface is diversified by gently rising hills and fine valleys, and is watered by the Eye Brook, the Chater, and the Gwash, flowing into the Welland, which forms the south-eastern boundary. The soil is in general loamy and fertile; in the east part it is chiefly in tillage, and in the west part under grass. The chief crops are wheat and barley. Great attention is paid to rearing choice breeds both of cattle and sheep. In the Vale of Catmose, round Oakham, are tracts of woodland, the remains of old forests. The prevailing rock is limestone. Rutland was made a county by Henry III, and gives the title of duke to the family of Manners. It contains 5 hundreds, 57 parishes, and part of another, and the market-towns of Oakham (where the assizes are held) and Uppingham; it has no parliamentary or municipal boroughs. It is in the diocese of Peterborough.
– John Bartholomew, Gazetteer of the British Isles (1887)
Lyddington Bede House – English Heritage
Bluecoat Lane
Lyddington LE15 9LZ
01572 822438
Lyddington Bede House is wonderful place to picnic and while away a few hours if you’re looking for an interesting day out in the East Midlands. Origionally a wing of a medieval palace it was later converted into an almshouse.
Normanton Church Museum
Rutland Water
Oakham LE15 8PX
01780 686800.
This iconic church is Rutland’s most famous landmark. It was saved from the water and is now open for guided tours that recount the history of this beautiful building and its surroundings and also provides a stunning location for civil weddings and classical concerts.
Oakham Castle
Market Place
Oakham LE15 6DX
01572 758440
www.rutland.gov.uk/castle
The Norman Great Hall of Oakham Castle, a late 12th century fortified manor house, is one of the finest domestic buildings of the period. It stands within walled earthworks, and remains of an earlier motte and bailey castle are also visible.
Record Office for Leicestershire, Leicester & Rutland
Long Street
Wigston Magna LE18 2AH
0116 257 1080
www.leics.gov.uk/museums
The Record Office is a service provided by Leicestershire County Council in partnership with Leicester City Council and Rutland County Council. The Record Office exists to preserve and provide access to a wide range of Resources which can be used to research the history and culture of Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland. Access to the collections is freely available to everyone and staff are on hand to help you find the information you need.
Rutland County Museum
Catmos Street
Oakham LE15 6HW
01572 758440
www.rutland.gov.uk/museum
Rutland County Museum is the perfect introduction to England’s smallest county. The museum is a guide to the history of Rutland and includes displays of local archaeology, history and an extensive rural life collection.
Collections: The museum has an extensive rural life collection, including tractors, farm equipment and waggons on display in the Riding School and in the adjoining Courtyard, where can be found the game larder of Lord Lonsdale, one of the famous Rutland characters whose stories can be found here. The collections include a wide range of rural tradesmen’s tools, domestic and social history material, Rutland’s standard weights and measures, and local archaeology.
Rutland Railway Museum
Ashwell Road, Cottesmore
Oakham LE15 7BX
01572 813203 recorded message when office closed
www.rutlandrailwaymuseum.org.uk
The Rutland Railway Museum occupies an area of nearly 7 acres on part of the former Midland Railway mineral branch line. The branch line linked to the Melton Mowbray to Oakham main line at Ashwell Station.