Rutland is the smallest county in England, measuring just 16 miles by 16 miles. At the county centre is Rutland Water, the largest man-made lake in Europe. In the south Eyebrook reservoir is popular with anglers and bird watchers. Among the villages there is Wing, site of one of the last remaining turf maze and Clipsham with the old Yew tree lined carriage drive to Clipsham Hall. Oakham town centre is home to Oakham Castle and Rutland County Museum providing an excellant starting point for discovering the county of Rutland.
Rutland is a place of significant historical interest, reflected in a number of historic buildings such as English Heritage's Bede House at Lyddington and Oakham Castle, as well as the site of one of the War of the Roses' biggest battles - The Battle of Losecoat Field. The county of Rutland has been home to a a variety of famous people including, Jeffrey Hudson (the world's smallest man), Titus Oates (the Greatest Liar in Christendom), Thomas Cook (the father of tourism), Sir Isaac Newton, Boris Karloff, John Clare, Lord Lonsdale and Sir Gilbert Heathcote.
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Rockingham Castle is a former a royal castle and hunting lodge in Rockingham Forest. It overlooks the villages of Rockingham and Caldecott and enjoys good views over the Welland Valley. Now privately owned, it is open to the public on certain days. Rockingham Castle was a popular haunt of writer Charles Dickens who was a great friend of Richard & Levinia Watson, ancestors of the current family. |
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The reservoir was formed between 1937 and 1940 by the damming of the Eye Brook. It was built by Stewarts & Lloyds to supply water to their Corby steel works. During the Second World War it was used in May1943 as a practice site for the Dambuster raids. It has been a trout fishery since 1942 and is now a site of Special Scientific Interest. Eyebrook is an ideal place for bird watching. |
