Explore the surrounding area.
Northamptonshire, Rutland and Leicestershire
In the Village
The Pickled Village is an award-winning producer celebrated for its distinctive preserves, chutneys, and marmalades. Crafted in small batches using carefully sourced ingredients, each jar reflects a perfect balance of tradition, creativity, and bold flavour. With its roots firmly in the English countryside, The Pickled Village has earned national recognition for its quality and innovation, offering a truly artisanal taste of rural Northamptonshire. They also present a thoughtfully curated café menu where guests can enjoy breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea, complete with a tea terrace and seasonal dishes.
The Pickled Village
The Queen’s Head
The Queens Head invites guests into a timeless setting where rustic charm and modern comfort beautifully converge. Dedicated to serving beautiful, home-cooked classics, their diverse menu features a standout Sunday roast carvery alongside a thoughtfully curated main offering of comforting favourites. Warm, inviting and rich with character, The perfect destination for a relaxed yet refined meal in the English countryside.
Places to visit
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Rutland Nusery
Set within the gentle rolling landscape of Rutland, Rutland Nursery is a serene destination where nature, design, and craftsmanship come together beautifully. The nursery offers an inspiring collection of plants, trees, and garden accessories, all thoughtfully curated to reflect timeless quality and style. Beyond its flourishing gardens, visitors can enjoy the inviting café and thoughtfully designed spaces that celebrate the beauty of outdoor living. Calm, elegant, and rooted in the landscape, Rutland Nursery is a place to slow down, explore, and be inspired
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Rutland Water
Rutland Water is one of those places that stays with you long after you’ve left. A vast stretch of water framed by gentle countryside, it offers space to breathe and a sense of quiet that’s hard to find elsewhere. You can cycle the full loop around the reservoir, stopping for coffee at waterside cafés, hire a kayak or paddleboard, or simply walk until the day feels longer and slower. Wildlife thrives here, particularly at the nature reserve, where hides look out over reed beds and open water. It’s the sort of place that suits whatever pace you bring to it: active, reflective, adventurous or just peaceful. Whether you’re looking for a day out that feels refreshing or a moment to reset, Rutland Water gives you both.
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Welland Viaduct
The Welland Viaduct is one of the quiet marvels of the English countryside. Stretching gracefully across the valley near Harringworth, it’s the longest viaduct of its kind in the country, with 82 brick arches that seem to move in rhythm with the landscape. It’s striking to see from a distance and even more impressive up close, a piece of Victorian engineering that still feels almost poetic in scale. Many visitors pass it on their way to Rutland Water, Oakham, Uppingham or the Rutland Nursery, and it always draws the eye: a landmark that makes you slow down for a moment. It’s beautiful at any time of day, but particularly when the light shifts across the arches. A reminder of craft, history and the enduring drama of a wide open view.
Surrounding Towns and Villages
Nestled on the banks of the River Nene in Northamptonshire, Oundle is a subtly elegant market town defined by its honey-coloured stone buildings, Georgian architecture, and timeless character. At its heart lies the prestigious Oundle School, one of England’s leading independent schools, whose historic buildings and landscaped grounds add to the town’s distinctive charm and vitality.
Highlights include the renowned waterside restaurant and bar Tap & Kitchen, where locally sourced dishes and craft-brewed beers are served in relaxed, stylish surroundings. On Thursdays, the town’s historic Market Place comes alive from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm with the bustling weekly market, while the Farmers’ Market, held on select Saturdays, celebrates the region’s finest producers and seasonal ingredients.
Oundle
Set along the banks of the River Welland, Stamford is one of England’s most beautiful market towns, celebrated for its golden limestone architecture, cobbled streets, and rich Georgian heritage. Steeped in history yet full of life, the town offers a perfect balance of old-world charm and modern sophistication.
Stamford
Highlights include the iconic George Hotel of Stamford, a landmark coaching inn renowned for its historic grandeur, fine dining, and timeless atmosphere, and the characterful Bull & Swan, where relaxed luxury meets hearty, seasonal food. The town’s elegant High Street is lined with an exceptional array of independent boutiques, artisan food shops, and stylish cafés, creating a shopping experience that’s as inspiring as it is unique.
Just moments from the town lies the magnificent Burghley House, one of England’s grandest Elizabethan estates, perfect for a day out exploring its stately rooms, landscaped parkland, and seasonal events.
With its blend of heritage, craftsmanship, and community spirit, Stamford is a true gem of the English countryside. A place that captures the essence of refined market-town living.
Oakham
Oakham is a charming market town known for its historic character, independent shops, and relaxed countryside atmosphere. At its centre sits Oakham Castle, famous for its impressive Norman architecture and unique collection of ceremonial horseshoes — a tradition dating back centuries.
The town offers a lovely selection of cafés, pubs, and restaurants, as well as a bustling weekly market that brings local produce and artisan goods to the high street. Just a few minutes away is the beautiful Rutland Water, one of the largest man-made lakes in Europe, perfect for walking, cycling, wildlife watching, and watersports.
At the heart of Uppingham is Uppingham School, one of England’s leading public schools, founded in 1584. Its presence brings a rich cultural atmosphere to the town, with regular concerts, exhibitions, and events that visitors can often enjoy. The school’s historic buildings and beautifully kept grounds add greatly to Uppingham’s unique character.
The town itself is home to a variety of boutique shops, traditional pubs, and excellent eateries, as well as a charming market square that has been the centre of local life for centuries. Art lovers will enjoy the town’s well-regarded galleries, while walkers can take advantage of the scenic countryside and nearby Rutland Water.
Uppingham is a picturesque market town in Rutland, full of character, charm, and a welcoming village feel. Known for its elegant Georgian architecture and thriving independent businesses, the town offers a wonderful blend of culture, history, and relaxed countryside living.
