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The Lake Isle Hotel is an ideal base to use when exploring the vast range of historic, cultural and fun attractions that Rutland and the surrounding area has to offer. Whether you have just a few hours to spare or are planning an extended break, you will find plenty to keep you occupied. Here is just a sample of the range of activities which you can enjoy in the vicinity of our Rutland hotel:
History on the doorstep - Stately homes, castles and gardens to explore
Family days out - Whether young at heart or want adventure with your children, something for everyone
A bit of culture - Museums, galleries and Shakespeare, a perfect combination
Ready for action - For the active go-getters
Back to nature - Appreciate and learn about your surroundings |
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History on the Doorstep
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Barnsdale Gardens
The gardens at Barnsdale in Rutland were built by Britain’s best loved television gardener Geoff Hamilton over several years for BBC TV Gardeners’ World programme and various other BBC specials. Since Geoff’s death in 1996, his gardens have been open to the public and include a nursery of choice and unusual plants, mainly propagated from the gardens. Book your visit online by visiting their website.
Address: Barnsdale Gardens, The Avenue, Exton, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 8AH
Tel: 01572 813200
Web: www.barnsdalegardens.co.uk
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Belton House
Regarded as one of the finest Restoration houses in the country, Belton House has featured as a film location for the BBC in several period dramas including 'Pride and Prejudice', 'Tom Jones' and in the 2006 adaptation of 'Jane Eyre'. Its stunning interiors contain exceptionally fine plasterwork and wood-carving, as well as important collections of paintings, furniture, tapestries and silverware. There are also formal gardens and Orangery, a magnificent park and a large adventure playground with a fort.
Address: Belton House, Grantham, NG32 2LS
Tel: 01476 566166
Web: www.nationaltrust.org.uk
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Belvoir Castle
The ancestral home of the Duke and Duchess of Rutland for one thousand years, Belvoir Castle contains many notable pieces of art and includes paintings by Gainsborough, Reynolds, Holbein and Poussin, along with outstanding collections of furniture, porcelain, silks, tapestries, French furniture and Italian sculpture. For the children there is a quiz to keep them entertained as they explore the Castle, as well as the chance to play in The Old Nursery and School Room, and an adventure playground to enjoy in the grounds.
Address: Belvoir Castle, Grantham, NG32 1PE
Tel: 01476 871002
Web: www.belvoircastle.com |
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Burghley House
The grandest house of the Elizabethan Age is right on our doorstep, but many of us have yet to actually see what lies behind those walls. As well as a tour around the house, visitors can also enjoy entrance to the sculpture garden and the Garden of Surprises. Based on the first Lord Burghley's Trick Garden, it contains water features, a maze and grottos, with something new to explore around every corner.
Address: Burghley House, Stamford, PE9 3JY
Tel: 01780 752451
Web: www.burghley.co.uk |
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Grimsthorpe Castle
Great for those with an interest in architecture, as each section of the large quadrangular house has a difference appearance, reflecting the different architectural styles that have been employed since building began in the 13th century. Highlights inside the Castle include the newly refurbished Dining Room, whilst outside children are kept thoroughly entertained on the swings, scramble nets and slides that make up the Woodland Adventure Playground.
Address: Grimsthorpe Castle, Grimsthorpe, Bourne, PE10 0LY.
Tel: 01778 591205
Web: www.grimsthorpe.co.uk |
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Lyveden New Bield
Lyveden is a beautiful but incomplete Elizabethan garden house and moated garden. It was begun in 1595 by Sir Thomas Tresham to symbolise his Catholic faith, but remains virtually unaltered since work stopped when Tresham died in 1605. The house has fascinating architectural details, but it is for the gardens that many people visit. Featured in the BBC series Hidden Gardens, it boasts the remains of one of the oldest garden layouts in the country, and includes a restored orchard.
Address: Lyveden New Bield, Nr Oundle, Peterborough, PE8 5AT
Tel: 01832 205358
Web: www.nationaltrust.org.uk |
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Rockingham Castle
Winner of the Enjoy England Silver Award for Excellence in 2006, Rockingham was built by William the Conqueror as a royal fortress to help control the peasants. It remained in Royal hands until Tudor times when it was taken over by Edward Watson and became a family home. As well as a stunning building and impressive grounds, expect lots of events during eh year including jousting, falconry, a Viking pageant and even kites day.
Address: Rockingham Castle, Rockingham, Market Harborough, LE16 8TH
Tel: 01536 770240
Web: www.rockinghamcastle.com |
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Family Days Out
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Conkers
Set in the heart of the National Forest, children and adults can immerse themselves in wildlife and nature through exciting interactive exhibits. The Enchanted Forest adventure play area takes you on a journey through inter-linking cobweb walkways to the tree top house and the eagle's nest! There are also 120 acres of trails and habitats to explore along with many Ranger led activities. A great example of how to educate whilst entertaining.
Address: Conkers, Millennium Avenue, Rawdon Road, Moira, Swadlincote, DE12 6GA
Tel: 01283 216633
Web: www.visitconkers.com |
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Flag Fen Bronze Age Centre
The excavations at Flag Fen completely revolutionised modern understanding of British prehistory between the New Stone Age and the Roman conquest. An enormous 3,000 year old wooden structure was discovered here, surrounded by amazingly well-preserved swords, jewellery, Britain's oldest wheel and other fascinating remnants of Bronze Age life that are now displayed in the museum.
Address: Flag Fen Bronze Age Centre, The Droveway, Northey Road, Peterborough, PE6 7QJ
Tel: 01733 313414
Web: www.flagfen.com |
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National Space Centre
The award winning National Space Centre is the UK's largest attraction dedicated to space. From the minute you catch sight of the Space Centre's futuristic Rocket Tower, you'll be treated to hours of breathtaking discovery and interactive fun. Human Spaceflight: Lunar Base 2025 is the new fantastic experience at the National Space Centre. Become an astronaut and join the crew of our futuristic lunar base to complete your training. Interactive exhibits test your mental and physical ability to survive in deep space. Blast off on a stunning 3D SIM journey to the ice moon Europa.
Address: National Space Centre, Exploration Drive, Leicester, LE4 5NS
Tel: 0116 261 0261
Web: www.spacecentre.co.uk |
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Nene Valley Railway
Once part of an important cross-country route from East Anglia to the Midlands, the Nene Valley Railway transports you back to a past age. It has a large collection of British and continentals steam trains (not forgetting Thomas the Tank Engine!), which have been restored to allow you to enjoy a railway journey as it used to be. There are also lots of pretty walks from and between stations. A real family favourite.
Address: Wansford Station, Stibbington, PE8 6LR
Tel: 01780 784444
Web: www.nvr.co.uk |
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Rutland Butterfly Farm and Aquatic Centre
The Farm is home to the largest tropical house in the area, with over 5,000 square feet of jungle paradise with hundreds of free-flying beautifully coloured butterflies. You will also find parrots and other tropical birds, along with iguanas and Giant African Land Snails. For those with an interest in all things creepy-crawly, visit the 'Twilight Zone Insect Cave' which is full of mini-beasts!
Address: Rutland Butterfly Farm and Aquatic Centre, Sykes Lane Car Park, North Shore Rutland Water,
Empingham, LE15 8PX
Tel: 01780 460515
Web: www.rutlandwaterbutterflyfarm.co.uk |
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Rutland Cycling
Enjoy Rutland Water from every angle by cycling around the 23 miles of waterside track. If you don't have your own bike, Rutland Cycling have the largest hire fleet in Europe, with a huge range of models to choose from, as well as ex-hire and new bikes for sale. The friendly staff say you should be able to cycle all the way round, AND stop for a pub lunch in three hours!
Address: Rutland Cycling, Whitwell Leisure Car Park, Rutland Water, Oakham, LE15 8BL
Tel: 01780 460705
Web: www.rutlandcycling.com |
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Twin Lakes
60 acres of action designed to appeal to children of all ages, with a huge variety of activities and multiple play zones indoors and outdoors. Attractions include assault courses, a large soft play area, indy pedal karts and rollercoasters for thrill seekers, with a farmyard and rowing boats for those wanting to take things a little slower.
Address: Twin Lakes, Melton Spinney Road, Melton Mowbray, LE14 4SB
Tel: 01664 567777
Web: www.twinlakespark.co.uk |
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Wicksteed Park
A combination of country park and leisure park, Wicksteed prides itself on having one of the biggest free playgrounds in Europe! You will also find an 18 hole crazy golf course along with a fairground at the top of the Park, which offers a wide range of attractions that are targeted at families with children up to 14 years old. There are further water rides and the Wicksteed Park Railway, which has been enjoyed by more than 15 million people since it first opened in 1931.
Address: Wicksteed Park, Barton Road, Kettering, NN15 6NJ
Tel: 01536 512475
Web: www.wicksteedpark.co.uk |
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A Bit of Culture
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Melton Carnegie Museum
The history of the Pork Pie and Stilton Cheese and more about other local trades including saddlery, shoemaking and tinsmithing and the impact they had on the town. You can also find out why the expression 'painting the town red' actually has local connections.
Address: Melton Carnegie Museum, Thorpe End, Melton Mowbray, LE13 1RB
Tel: 0116 305 3860 |
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Museum of Lincolnshire Life
Discover the social history of the county. The museum contains one of the best agricultural collections in the country and excellent industrial displays reflect this crucial part of Lincolnshire's history. Expect lots of unique items such as the earliest surviving tank made by local company William Foster and Co Ltd of Lincoln in 1917.
Address: Museum of Lincolnshire Life, Burton Road, Lincoln, LN1 3LY
Tel: 01522 528448 |
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New Walk Museum and Art Gallery
Watch out for the mighty Rutland Dinosaur and the Barrow Kipper in the 'Mighty Dinosaur' exhibition, and step back in time to a land where it never rains and explore a civilisation that has lasted for 3,000 years in the 'Ancient Egyptians' display. You can also enjoy 'Expressionism and Beyond', a gallery dedicated to Leicester's internationally outstanding collection of 20th-century German art. And there's much more.
Address: New Walk Museum and Art Gallery, New Walk, Leicester, LE1 7EA
Tel: 0116 225 4900 |
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Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery
A huge collection of over 200,000 objects covers a great range of objects of national and international importance, such as the Norman Cross prisoner of war craft work, the Jurassic marine reptiles, finds from Roman Peterborough and the original manuscripts of the famous poet John Clare.
Address: Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery, Priestgate, Peterborough, PE1 1LF
Tel: 01733 343329 |
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Stamford Shakespeare Festival
Amongst the plays and show put on in the region's many high quality arts venue, a trip to the Stamford Shakespeare Festival is a must. The Stamford Shakespeare Company presents an annual season of play in June, July, August and the first week of September at the Rutland Open Air Theatre in the grounds of historic Tolethorpe Hall. It is regarded as one of the finest open air theatres in Europe and fantastic on a warm summer's evening.
Address: Stamford Shakespeare Festival, Tolethorpe Hall, Tolethorpe, Stamford, PE9 4BH
Tel: 01780 756133
Web: www.stamfordshakespeare.co.uk |
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Ready For Action
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Kilworth Springs Golf Club
Kilworth Springs was established in 1993 and overlooks the beautiful Avon Valley in South Leicestershire. The championship course measures 6718 yards par 72 and is a superbly sculptured links style course with the front nine offering a traditional links challenge, whilst the back nine, with its numerous lakes, adds water to the mix. With wide fairways and the addition of thick rough and gorse between holes, the course offers a true challenge to professional and amateur alike, whilst retaining it's playability for the society golfer. Kilworth Springs welcomes visitors and societies to the club on a pay and play basis.
Address: Kilworth Springs Golf Club, North Kilworth, Nr Lutterworth, Leicestershire, LE17 6HJ
Tel: 01858 575974
Web: www.kilworthsprings.co.uk |
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Protrax Off-Road Adventures
At Pro-Trax you will find some of the best off road facilities available at present in the UK together with modern well-equipped vehicles and handpicked instructors with a wealth of experience. Open 7 days a week, Pro-Trax has the experience born from logistic and training work overseas as well as worldwide and UK competition involvement. This ensures that our training or event is exciting, informative, rewarding, enjoyable, memorable and entirely safe whatever the course, wherever the venue. Pro-Trax is fast becoming well known to be one of Europe's leading off-road schools and has a worldwide reputation for excellence!
Address: Cromwell House, 2 Debdale, Stoke Albany, Leicestershire
Tel: 01858 535552
Web: www.protrax.co.uk |
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Rutland Sailing School
Rutland Sailing School offers tuition to anyone over the age of seven, and of all abilities, from absolute beginners to national level racing. Adults are taught on a one-to-one basis, with initial courses usually lasting 2-3 days and taking you to RYA Level 2 (this allows you to hire one). Children are taught in groups of up to 15, with courses running 4-5 consecutive days.
Address: Rutland Sailing School, Gibbet Lane, Edith Weston, Oakham, LE15 8HJ
Tel: 01780 721999
Web: www.rutlandsailingschool.co.uk |
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Rutland Water Golf Course
From the true beginner and occasional player to the more accomplished golfer, Rutland Water Golf Course has something for everyone; challenging holes, varied tee positions and exceptional scenery. This parkland course is well established with rolling fairways and great greens testing the skill of the lowest handicapper whilst remaining a friendly 'Pay & Play' course with a pleasant family atmosphere.
Address: Rutland Water Golf Course, Lodge Farm Manton Road, Edith Weston, Rutland, LE15 8HB
Tel: 01572 737525
Web: www.rutlandwatergolf.co.uk |
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Rock Blok
The team of Rock Blok have a fantastic four-sided climbing tower, which you can not only climb, but abseil down again once you reach the top. There is also a second climbing area with natural rock feature, and you have the chance to tackle a series of obstacles on the eight metre high rope course. Suitable for all over the age of 7.
Address: Rock Blok, Whitwell Leisure Park, Whitwell, Oakham, LE15 8BL
Tel: 01780 460060
Web: www.rockblok.co.uk |
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Rutland Fly Fishing
Expect a morning in the bank side cabin learning about the Water and flies, before enjoying a delicious lunch and the heading out onto Rutland Water to catch some fish during this packed day experience with one-to-one tuition. Even total beginners usually catch some trout, which they can take home and enjoy. Can also be a great day out for a couple.
Address: Rutland Fly Fishing, The Lodge, Barnsdale, North Shore Rutland Water, Oakham, LE15 8AB
Tel: 01572 722422
Web: www.rutlandwaterflyfishing.co.uk |
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Tallington Lakes
If you are keen to try out some water sports, but cannot decide whether you want to go water skiing, wakeboarding, jet skiing, dingy sailing, windsurfing or canoeing - look no further than the 205 acres of clean spring fed water at Tallington Lakes where you can try out all of them! And if that is still not enough choice for you, there is also a coarse fishing lake, with several other fishing lakes nearby, as well as the 130 meter metre dry ski slope. Whatever you level of experience you can be sure of safe and expert tuition, and you can choose from one off experiences through to annual membership.
Address: Tallington Lakes, Barholm, Road, Tallington, Stamford, PE9 4RJ
Tel: 01778 347000
Web: www.tallington.com |
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Back To Nature
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Bedford Purlieus
Another National Nature Reserve, this historic ancient woodland is home to more plant and insect species than most other woods in this country. The reason for this is that the geology of the woodland changes from north to south, leading to lots of different wildlife habitats. Look out for shrews, voles, badgers, and weasels, and even the odd grass snake! As well as wildlife, you will also find archaeological features including wood banks, and the remains of a large Roman dwelling place.
Address: Gateway to Bedford Purlieus can be reached down the farm track, signposted 'Farm Access' off the A47, 2 miles west of Wansford.
Tel: 01780 444920
Web: www.forestry.gov.uk |
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Hills and Holes
Once a medieval stone quarry, Barnack Hills and Holes is now a National Nature Reserve and one of Britain's most important wildlife sites, with over 300 types of wild plant, including eight species of orchid, the rare pasque flower and the more familiar violets and cowslips. Barnack's rich flora supports a wide variety of wildlife, especially insects, along with several uncommon butterflies including the marbled white, chalkhill blue and green hairstreak. For those wising to stretch their legs, there is the Limestone Walk, a circular 30 minute walk which takes you through all the main features of the reserve.
Address: Hills and Holes, Barnack (Just off the B1443)
Tel: 01733 405850
Web: www.naturalengland.org.uk |
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Ouse Washes
If birds are your passion, a trip to Ouse Washes could prove a real find. Half a mile wide and 20 miles long, the Washes are the largest frequently flooded grazing marsh in Britain, and are both a Special Area of Conservation, as well as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The RSPB manages over half the area, and its reserve is the place to go to see birds and wildfowl throughout the year; from Lapwings and Snipes in the spring, through to Kingfishers and Yellow Wagtails in summer, and Black-tailed Godwits and huge flocks of Bewick's Swans in the cooler months - and there is no charge!
Address: Ouse Washes, Signposted from Manea village (6 miles east of Chatteris) on the A142/A141 between Ely and March.
Tel: 01354 680212
Web: www.rspb.org.uk |
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Rutland Water Nature Reserve
When the reservoir was created in 1975, a narrow strip of land with an area of 500 acres was set aside at eh western end as a nature reserve. It is now home to a wide variety of waders and wildfowl throughout the year.
Address: Anglian Water Birdwatching Centre, Rutland Water Nature Reserve, Egleton, Oakham, LE15 8BT
Tel: 01572 770651
Web: www.rutlandwater.org.uk |
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Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve
One of Britain's oldest nature reserves and the most important surviving area of original undrained fenland in East Anglia. There is an abundance of wildlife to be found here including an incredible one thousand species of beetle, twenty species of dragonfly and another thousand species of moth, as well as Highland cattle, Hen Harriers and three hundred different plants.
Address: Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve, Lode Lane, Wicken, CB7 5XP
Tel: 01353 720274
Web: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wickenfen |
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