WHY?

A compact and characterful town largely due to its lively and quaint market place and buzzing high street. It’s a popular place for Londoners to settle down because of its laid-back country charm and good travel connections.

EAT

It’s a total foodie fest in these parts. The Finch’s Arms was recently named Best Destination Pub in the National Muddy Awards, high praise indeed and definitely one not to miss. The Larder is a firm favourite for lunch and The Anglers on Mill Street is a great spot for big family get-togethers. There’s also the rustic Hitchen’s Barn (a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant) and Sarpech on Burley Corner is a great Indian restaurant and wine bar and don’t miss the award-winning, Hambleton Bakery. For the best tipples, head to Oakham Wines and don’t forget Oakham’s brewery/pub, The Grainstore on Station Approach but for cocktails head to Ovation Wine & Spirit Bar. For locally sourced goodies to fill your pantry, Otters Fine Foods is your go-to deli.

SHOP

Don’t miss Rutland Nursery (above), where you’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 Cavells, an incredible fashion boutique stocking over 100 designers with a lovely homeware section too. Look out for Prink, a fab fashion boutique on the High Street. Walkers of Oakham is a much-loved indie bookshop, always worth a rummage; while Nadinoo sells mindfully made clothes that are simple, comfortable and versatile.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Check out the recently opened and absolutely gorgeous al fresco Signet Spa at The Barnsdale, with an outdoor heated pool, sauna and woodfired hot tubs. Excellence Physio is, well, excellent, and offers pilates too. Be Fit Gym is a modern, state of the art, purpose built studio with a huge range of classes to choose from and there’s a GP and a number of pharmacies in town.

COMMUNITY

Cricket, croquet, dance, rugby, running and triathlon club as well as an Arts Society, there’s probably something to cater for everyone here in Oakham. There’s also a library, as well as regular film screenings at Rutland County Museum, where you can also try your hand at craft workshops and attend monthly history talks.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

Oakham Castle, is a fine example of Norman architecture and beautifully restored. At Rutland County Museum you can explore the exciting archaeology discoveries of the area and Rutland Water is a large playground for big and little kids – you can enjoy water sports, nature reserves, outdoor water adventure cycling and walking facilities.

CULTURE

This year, Oakham hosted Pride Festival and the town is always buzzing during Discover Rutland Food and Drink Week which takes place every September.

AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES

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

HOT PROPERTY

NURSERIES

Climbing High Nurseries is a stone’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.

SCHOOLS

Oakham School is a highly regarded co-ed independent school for children aged 10 – 18 yrs (read our review here). Brooke Priory School is also in town, with Uppingham School just a few minutes up the road.

BEST KEPT SECRET

The Great Hall of Oakham Castle is thought to be the finest surviving example of Norman domestic architecture in Europe, built between 1180 and 1190.

COMMUTE

Most people work in and around Leicester or Peterborough (around 45 mins drive either way). It’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.

Main image credit: Discover Rutland

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