Northants, Leics &amp; Rutland


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY?</h2>



<p>A compact and characterful town largely due to its lively and quaint market place and buzzing high street. It&#8217;s a popular place for Londoners to settle down because of its laid-back country charm and good travel connections. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat">EAT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="665" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/finchs.jpg" alt="The Finch's Arms Rutland" class="wp-image-51557" style="aspect-ratio:1.5037593984962405;width:640px;height:auto" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/finchs.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/finchs-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/finchs-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Finch&#8217;s Arms</figcaption></figure>



<p>It&#8217;s a total foodie fest in these parts. <a href="https://www.finchsarms.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Finch&#8217;s Arms</a> was recently named Best Destination Pub in the National Muddy Awards, high praise indeed and definitely one not to miss. <a aria-label="The Larder (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.thelarderoakham.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Larder</a> is a firm favourite for lunch and <a href="https://www.angleroakham.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Anglers</a> on Mill Street is a great spot for big family get-togethers. There&#8217;s also the rustic <a href="http://www.finchsarms.co.uk/">Hitchen&#8217;s Barn</a> (a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant) and <a href="https://www.sarpech.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sarpech</a> on Burley Corner is a great Indian restaurant and wine bar and don&#8217;t miss the award-winning, <a aria-label="Hambleton Bakery. (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.hambletonbakery.co.uk/collections/breads/products/date-walnut-sourdough" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hambleton Bakery</a>. For the best tipples, head to <a href="https://oakhamwinesonline.co.uk/">Oakham Wines</a> and don&#8217;t forget Oakham&#8217;s brewery/pub, <a href="https://www.grainstorebrewery.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Grainstore</a> on Station Approach but for cocktails head to<a href="https://ovationoakham.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Ovation Wine &amp; Spirit Bar</a>. For locally sourced goodies to fill your pantry, <a href="https://www.ottersfinefoods.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Otters Fine Foods </a>is your go-to deli.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop">SHOP</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="912" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/10/rutland-nursey-912x1024.jpg" alt="Lifestyle store at Rutland Nursey Oakham" class="wp-image-51905" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/10/rutland-nursey-912x1024.jpg 912w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/10/rutland-nursey-267x300.jpg 267w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/10/rutland-nursey-768x862.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/10/rutland-nursey.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 912px) 100vw, 912px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rutland Nursery</figcaption></figure>



<p>Don&#8217;t miss <a href="https://www.rutlandnursery.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rutland Nursery</a> (above), where you&#8217;ll find a fabulous restaurant, workshops and events, lifestyle store, oh, and plants, of course. No visit to Oakham would be complete without a visit to <a aria-label="Cavells  (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.cavells.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cavells</a>, an incredible fashion boutique stocking over 100 designers with a lovely homeware section too. Look out for <a aria-label="Prink (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.instagram.com/prink_rutland/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Prink</a>, a fab fashion boutique on the High Street. <a href="https://walkersbookshops.co.uk">Walkers of Oakham</a> is a much-loved indie bookshop, always worth a rummage; while <a href="https://www.nadinoo.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nadinoo </a>sells mindfully made clothes that are simple, comfortable and versatile. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<p>Check out the recently opened and absolutely gorgeous al fresco <a href="https://barnsdalerutland.com/signet-spa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Signet Spa</a> at The Barnsdale, with an outdoor heated pool, sauna and woodfired hot tubs. <a href="https://www.excellencephysio.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Excellence Physio</a> is, well, excellent, and offers pilates too. <a href="https://befitgym.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Be Fit Gym</a> is a modern, state of the art, purpose built studio with a huge range of classes to choose from and there&#8217;s a GP and a number of pharmacies in town. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<p>Cricket, croquet, dance, rugby, running and triathlon club as well as an Arts Society, there&#8217;s probably something to cater for everyone here in Oakham. There&#8217;s also a library, as well as regular film screenings at <a href="https://rutlandcountymuseum.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rutland County Museum</a>, where you can also try your hand at craft workshops and attend monthly history talks. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/04/rutland-water.jpeg" alt="Normanton Church Rutland Water" class="wp-image-45487" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/04/rutland-water.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/04/rutland-water-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/04/rutland-water-768x511.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rutland Water</figcaption></figure>



<p><a href="https://www.discover-rutland.co.uk/listing/oakham-castle">Oakham Castle</a>, is a fine example of Norman architecture and beautifully restored. At <a href="https://www.discover-rutland.co.uk/listing/rutland-county-museum">Rutland County Museum</a>&nbsp;you can explore the exciting archaeology discoveries of the area and <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Rutland Water (opens in a new tab)" href="https://anglianwaterparks.co.uk/rutland-water" target="_blank">Rutland Water</a>&nbsp;is a large playground for big and little kids &#8211; you can enjoy water sports, nature reserves, outdoor water adventure cycling and walking facilities.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>



<p>This year, Oakham hosted Pride Festival and the town is always buzzing during <a href="https://www.discover-rutland.co.uk/food-week/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Discover Rutland Food and Drink Week</a> which takes place every September.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-prices">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES</h2>



<p>Average property prices in Oakham come in at £324,192, with terraced houses going for £230,391 and semis £253,310.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/leics/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2022/10/Ashby-le-zhou-Leics.jpg" alt="OAKHAM 3 STOREY TOWNHOUSE" class="wp-image-45716" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Grade II listed grandeur with contemporary&nbsp;comforts, this Regency style townhouse is a gem. <a href="https://www.pelhamjames.co.uk/properties/17149166/sales#/">On the market for £995,000</a>. </figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries">NURSERIES</h2>



<p><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.climbinghighnurseries.co.uk/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.climbinghighnurseries.co.uk/" target="_blank">Climbing High Nurseries</a> is a stone&#8217;s throw away from the town. Kids here get to plant potatoes and carrots, play the piano and chat to their fluffy, white neighbours in the field next door. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schools">SCHOOLS</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.oakham.rutland.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oakham School</a> is a highly regarded co-ed independent school for children aged 10 – 18 yrs (read our review <a href="https://northantsleicsrutland.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/oakham-school-review-muddy-stilettos/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>).&nbsp;<a href="https://brooke.rutland.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brooke Priory School</a> is also in town, with <a href="https://www.uppingham.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Uppingham School</a> just a few minutes up the road. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret">BEST KEPT SECRET</h2>



<p>The Great Hall of&nbsp;<a aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.oakhamcastle.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oakham Castle</a>&nbsp;is thought to be the finest surviving example of Norman domestic architecture in Europe, built between 1180 and 1190.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute">COMMUTE</h2>



<p>Most people work in and around Leicester or Peterborough (around 45 mins drive either way). It&#8217;s 101 miles to London, which to drive, would take over two hours. Oakham Station is a few minutes drive and you can get a season ticket for just under £9,000. </p>



<p>Main image credit: Discover Rutland</p>



<p><em>View the full <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live">Top 300 Best Places to Live</a>.</em></p>


Oakham

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