Things to do - Hambleton Hall

A considered guide to Rutland and the country beyond, curated by by our team. Jump to a theme below, or simply read at your leisure.

This booklet is prepared each year to guide Hambleton Hall guests to
outdoor activities, cultural assets and shops in our region.

It has been published yearly for some 39 years and was started because
our area was little known for tourism and had little information for
visitors. Our local tourism organization has done a great job to fill this
gap but there is still a need for something more exactly adapted to the
needs of our guests.

The shops (who cover the costs of the production of this guide) are
chosen by us for their potential to interest our clientele.

Since we started to publish this guide the number of general antique
dealers in the area has declined as interest in “brown furniture” remains
low. It is encouraging to welcome the return of Claire Langley to Stamford who combines great experience in antiques with contemporary design flair. Meanwhile, there seems to be plenty of collectors of paintings, sculpture and pottery. So institutions like Goldmark can build nationally significant collections with the aid of a strong on-line presence.

I am quite proud that our area continues to develop as a centre for
“foodies” and gastro pubs, (many with ex Hambleton staff) that can
provide food that justifies a detour. Our region has been known for
Stilton and pork pies for many years but visitors now can depend on
outstanding game in season, the delicious Lincolnshire Poacher Cheese
and many more local specialities like Hambleton Bakery Sourdough, or
our award winning Rutland Pippin.

Please tell us about your own discoveries for inclusion in future editions.

Woolsthorpe Manor

Woolsthorpe Manor is a 17c Manor house which is chiefly interesting for its association with Sir Isaac Newton. An ancient apple tree makes the unlikely claim that its fruit inspired the great man. To get

Rockingham Castle

Rockingham is one of the most attractive villages in our area, and the castle with its spectacular hilltop site is most picturesque. The collection is fascinating and contains some surprises like 20th century English pictures

The Portland Collection Museum and Harley Gallery

Welbeck Abbey is a great House which was formerly the seat of the Dukes of Portland. The House is now in the capable hands of the last Duke’s grandson William Parente who pioneered a novel

Grimsthorpe Castle

Grimsthorpe has been the home of the Willoughby de Eresby family (latterly the Earls of Ancaster) since about 1516 and houses a marvellous collection of pictures, furniture and other works of art. Like many buildings

Belton House

Belton forms a perfect contrast to Burghley House and was built by master mason William Stanton between 1685-88. It is as formal, compact and harmonious in its proportions as Burghley is rambling and eclectic. Belton

Elton Hall

Elton Hall owes its origin to a Proby who, like the first Lord Burghley, made himself useful to Queen Elizabeth I. The house is therefore mostly Elizabethan with major 19th century additions. It is very

Doddington Hall

Doddington Hall is an Elizabethan manor house in mellowed brick crowned with turrets and cupolas, 5 miles south west of Lincoln. It contains a fine collection of china, tapestries and Stuart and Georgian furniture. The

Deene Park

Deene Park is no exception to the rule that the houses open least are the most interesting to visit. It has a beautiful, well kept garden, charming rooms which are very much lived-in, and some

Cottesbrooke Hall

This totally lived-in house belongs to a distinguished whisky-distilling dynasty who keep the house and garden in immaculate shape. The house is a Queen Anne gem of sensible proportions and contains a uniformly splendid collection

Burghley House

Sir William Cecil, the first Lord Burghley was Lord High Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth I. His administrative and financial expertise was one of the foundation stones on which her very successful reign was built. Burghley

Boughton House

If you are lucky enough to be here on the right day this together with Grimsthorpe would be my first choice of local ‘statelies’. It is more lived in than many others and one might

Althrop House

Although a bit further than the others, Althrop (pronounced Altrup) is on the way to the Cotswolds and can be on the way to London if you take the M1. It’s collection is quite outstanding

Belvoir Castle

David, 11th Duke of Rutland and his charming wife Emma took over in 1999. Belvoir has a fantastic site on the edge of a steep escarpment dominating the broad vale to the North. The Manners

Heidi Kjeldsen LTD

At Heidi Kjeldsen, a world of mesmerising jewellery awaits – exclusive collections you’ll simply adore. Where the finest diamonds, exquisite gemstones and premium pearls are set in timeless designs. Experience contemporary chic for everyday living,

Claire Langley Antiques

Lovers of beautiful interiors and antiques will be delighted to see that Claire Langley has now been in her Stamford premises for over 2 years (after an interval of a few years as a successful

Dawon of Stamford Limited

John Dawson’s shop, in a fine and ancient building in a central part of Stamford, has over thirty years built a very wide following. Clients come from far afield to enjoy Stamford shopping at its

The Canon Gallery

Jeremy Green set up his own business in 1985 after experience with Sothebys and W H Patterson in Albermarle Street. He deals in oils and watercolours from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries from his

Gladwell & Patterson

Internationally renowned art gallery Gladwell & Patterson have created an elegant gallery over several floors within a landmark building on Red Lion Square in Stamford. With a London Gallery at House 50, The Burlington Arcade,

The Goldmark Gallery

It has been 50 years since Mike Goldmark set up shop in Uppingham. What began as a second-hand bookshop has now evolved into a vast treasure trove of 20th century art and ceramics. Part exhibition

Haddonstone Show Gardens

Haddonstone Show Gardens look more and more impressive each year with structures such as an orangery and a gothic grotto, a statue walk and great planting overseen by an excellent gardener who makes sure the

Easton Walled Garden

Easton Walled Garden is a very successful restoration project master-minded by Lady Ursula Cholmeley from a very grand garden abandoned in the 1950’s. Includes excellent gift shop, plant stalls, a new art material shop and

Coton Manor

Café open during regular garden opening times and provides lunches and cakes. This is the best large garden in our region and was recently voted ‘Nations Favourite Garden’ by the English Garden Magazine.

Barnsdale Gardens

Barnsdale Gardens, www.barnsdalegardens.co.uk (01572) 813200, much closer at hand and very handy for our own bakery and café was created by Geoff Hamilton some years ago as the backdrop to his TV series “Gardeners World”.

The Olive Branch

From pub classics to culinary delights, with an emphasis on locally sourced and seasonal produce. Head Chef Dean Carroll and the kitchen team are continually creating inspired dishes for the seasonal and daily changing menus. The

Hitchen’s Barn

A multi award winning restaurant in the heart of Oakham. Hitchen’s Barn serves Modern British & locally sourced food. Neil & Louise Hitchen look forward to welcoming you.

Woolroom

Chris Tattersall who took charge of the Woolroom in 2012 is determined to tell the world about the almost magical properties of wool, especially as the perfect companion for a better night’s sleep. Chris has

Taylor and Baines Interiors

Paul Baines bespoke upholstery and curtain business based in Oakham is descended indirectly from a huge and thriving business, which in the foxhunting boom of the 1880s (when Hambleton Hall was built) kept 140 horses

FŌRM & BLŌM

Adam Beard and Cristina Militaru were both London based architects when the demands of two small children encouraged them to relocate to Rutland. The splendid gallery at 17a Mill Street, Oakham, which houses their new

Cavells

Founded over 25 years ago, Cavells is an independent boutique catering impeccably to both men and women. The Cavells philosophy is very much centred around exceptional customer service in a relaxed and inspiring environment. The

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