Join us on this visit to the smallest county in England. Rutland has beautiful market towns, glorious gardens bursting with fiery autumn colours, and one of the largest man-made lakes in Europe.
Day 1 We make our way north to Rockingham, making suitable refreshment stops along the way. We reach our hotel with plenty of time to relax before dinner.
Day 2 This morning we drive to Stamford, where we find over 600 listed buildings, delightful shops, and an abundance of cafés and pubs in which to find some lunch. Our afternoon is spent at Burghley House, one of the largest and grandest houses of the Elizabethan age.
Day 3 We set off into Rutland and the historic market town of Oakham, which boasts a Norman Castle and the Rutland County Museum. We have views of Rutland Water as we move on to Barnsdale Gardens, familiar to many TV viewers as home to the late Geoff Hamilton and Gardeners World. The gardens comprise 37 individual gardens within eight acres.
Day 4 Our day is spent at Old Warden Park exploring the Shuttleworth Collection and Swiss Garden. Six hangers house working vintage aircraft – some the sole survivors of their type, veteran buses, motorcycles, steam engines and farm machinery. The Swiss Garden was created in the 1820s and is a delightful Regency and Victorian layered garden, with a woodland walk, peacocks and a sculpture garden.
Day 5 Leaving our hotel after breakfast, we travel homewards, reaching the local area and our taxis late afternoon.
Our modern three-star hotel is pleasantly located between the pretty Northamptonshire villages of Rockingham and Corby, and its rural setting gives easy access to the countryside and all the attractions on this tour. Bedrooms have TV, telephone, WiFi, ironing facilities, hairdryer and hospitality tray. There is no lift and bedrooms are on the ground or first floor.
