The Old Wisteria Hotel

England's smallest county

by sourbugger

Rutland has traditionally been England's smallest county. It disappeared for a while with local government re-organisation. It has now thankfully been restored to it's righful place on the map (although unfindable on VT - and hence i've put this under the county town)

Located in the East midlands, and with a population of only 30,000 or so it takes up a diamond shaped piece of central England similar in size to the Isle of Wight.

The motto of the county is therefore very apt : Motto Multum in Parvo.

For those of you without a traditional classical education it means (roughly) "There is much in something little ".

Custom of Old...

by mrandmrsdevlin

When royal or otherwise dignified visitors came to visit the Oakham Castle, they would be presented with a horseshoe, and a corresponding horseshoe plaque with their name on it would go on the walls at the Oakham Castle. There were many, many plaques including a Churchill and Prince Albert.

I like to ride my bicycle....

by sourbugger

Rutland water dominates the county of...erm...Rutland. When it was built it was the largest man-made lake in Europe. Probably still is. It's just the right size for a bike ride.

A circuit of the lake (including the peninsula) is about 25 miles. The majority of the route is off road on well laid out paths and gravel tracks. There are a few steep hills, but nothing more than a couple of hundred yards worth.

The company mentioned below operate from Whitwell, and will rent you top quality bike for under 20 pounds a day. Either that, or take your own - just remember to keep the water on your left (or right) and you can't get lost. Honest.

Oakham.

by Adaptor-Plug

http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/vv/313d/ North Welsh idyllic railway for kids

http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/vv/313f/ English Shires idyllic railway for kids

http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/vv/3140/ Suburban factory idyll for kids

http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/vv/3141/ English Urban idyll for kids

http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/vv/3144/ English market town idyll for kids

Oakham and Rutland water

by Thistle-Rose

"Rutland County"

We visited the smallest county in England in december to go cycling around Rutland water.It was a great day we got off the train at Oakham then walked to the cycle hire shop got the bikes then cycled all the way round the entire lake.

"Almost halfway round"

Theres a good place to stop halfway round to get something to eat and a drink.

"Jen having a rest"

Theres a church you will see when cycling around Rutland water that is sunk into the ground.