A short visitor's guide to Oakham, Rutland: things to do, places to eat and drink, and what's on through the year.
Oakham is the county town of Rutland, England's smallest county, sitting in the Vale of Catmose about twenty-five miles east of Leicester and twenty-three miles north-west of Peterborough. With a population of around twelve thousand, it is a compact market town of limestone buildings, an ancient market place and a good range of independent shops, restaurants and pubs.
The town sits just to the west of Rutland Water, the large reservoir that draws walkers, cyclists, sailors and birdwatchers from across the Midlands. Oakham itself rewards a morning's exploration: the 12th-century Oakham Castle and its famous Great Hall, the Rutland County Museum on Catmos Street, and the weekly Friday market on the town square are the key draws in town before heading out to the water.
Oakham's attractions are concentrated in and around the market place and are easy to cover on foot.
The centrepiece is Oakham Castle on the Market Place, whose 12th-century Great Hall is one of the finest surviving examples of Norman domestic architecture in England. The hall is decorated with original sculptures and a unique collection of horseshoes presented by visiting royalty and peers over the centuries. Nearby, the Rutland County Museum on Catmos Street covers the county's archaeological, agricultural and legal history in a converted 18th-century indoor riding school; admission is free. For a family half-day, Rutland Farm Park on Uppingham Road is a small, family-run working farm focused on rare breeds and conservation, with a cafe and plenty of hands-on appeal for younger visitors.
Oakham's main town park is Cutts Close, a well-maintained green space next to the castle grounds, popular for a lunchtime walk and events in summer. On the other side of town, Royce Recreation Ground on Princess Avenue is the larger sports-and-play space.
The bigger draw is Rutland Water, a short cycle or drive to the east of town. The reservoir's 23-mile circular cycle route takes in the nature reserve on the western shore, operated by the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust, where ospreys nest between April and August. Sailing, windsurfing and paddleboarding are all available at the various water-sports centres around the lake. The villages of Langham and Manton are both within easy walking or cycling distance of Oakham and add variety to a longer day out.
For a rainy afternoon, Oakham has a reasonable spread of indoor options beyond its museums.
One Way Out Escape Rooms at ROL House on Long Row is the town's highest-rated indoor attraction (4.9 from over a hundred reviews), offering challenging escape room experiences suitable for groups and families. Knights Fine Art on Mill Street is a contemporary art gallery with a curated collection covering painting and sculpture; it is free to browse and worth a look if you have an hour in town. Oakham Library on Catmose Street is part of the Rutland Library Service, with free membership, internet access, local history collections and regular children's events.
Oakham has a strong pub scene for a small market town, anchored by a celebrated brewery and a handful of well-rated independents.
The destination pub is The Grainstore Brewery and Tap on Station Approach, which has been brewing on the premises since 1995 and has won The Good Pub Guide's Own Brew Pub of the Year five times. Alongside the ales brewed on site, it hosts regular live music, traditional pub games (bottle walking, bar billiards, giant Jenga) and brewery tours. On Northgate, the Wheatsheaf is a cosy 17th-century pub with oak beams, a beer garden and a strong line in real ales, whiskies and rums. The Angler Oakham Hotel and Pub on Mill Street and the Railway Pub and Steam Bar on Station Road round out the real-ale options, the latter holding a Cask Marque award and offering Sky Sports and live music. For something different, Ovation Wine and Spirit Bar in Knights Yard off Gaol Street is the contemporary choice: wine, cocktails and tapas in a lively setting that works as well for a date night as for a group.
Oakham's restaurant scene is well above average for a town its size, with a Michelin-recognised standout and a strong line of Indian restaurants alongside the traditional British options.
The critical favourite is Hitchen's Barn on Burley Road, an award-winning modern British restaurant holding a Michelin Bib Gourmand (2019 to 2024), two AA Rosettes and a place in The Good Food Guide Top 100 Local Restaurants. For classic hotel dining in period surroundings, The Admiral Hornblower on the High Street occupies a 17th-century farmhouse and offers relaxed all-day dining. The Lord Nelson on the Market Place is the oldest building in town (circa 1500) and serves hearty British pub food with outside seating. On the curry front, Jashir - Indian Cuisine on the High Street and Sarpech on Burley Corner both carry 4.8 ratings; 10 Dining Street on New Street and Rutland Balti House on Mill Street are the further Indian options. San Giorgio Restaurant on Church Street covers Italian.
Oakham's cafe selection is strong for its size, with a good cluster of independents around the town centre alongside the national chains.
The best-regarded independent is The Larder Oakham on Mill Street, a cosy coffee shop serving home-baked cakes, brunch and lunch using local and independent producers; it carries a 4.8 rating from over two hundred reviews. Hungry Birds on Burley Road is the go-to for a relaxed breakfast or a light lunch, with gluten-free and vegan options on the menu. Castle Cottage Cafe on the Market Place is the obvious choice for a tea break after visiting the castle, while Lily and Honey Bakery in Knights Yard offers fresh baking in an independent courtyard setting. For specialty coffee, Stray's Coffee on the High Street and the Rutland Coffee House on Crown Walk are the well-rated local options.
Oakham is well connected by rail and has regular bus links to the surrounding towns.
By train, Oakham railway station sits on the Birmingham to Peterborough line. CrossCountry runs a broadly hourly service through the day, connecting Oakham with Birmingham New Street, Leicester, Peterborough, Cambridge and Stansted Airport. East Midlands Railway operates a smaller number of peak-hours services linking the town with Norwich, Nottingham, Kettering, Melton Mowbray and Peterborough.
By bus, most services are operated by Centrebus and Blands, with routes covering Corby, Melton Mowbray and Stamford. For the villages around Rutland Water, a car gives the most flexibility, but the bus network covers the main market routes. By car, Oakham sits close to the A606, which connects the town to Melton Mowbray to the north-west and Stamford to the south-east; Leicester is approximately forty minutes and Peterborough around thirty minutes by road.