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 The town of Oakham
Oakham is the county town of the picturesque rural county of Rutland. It is situated about 100 miles from London, 20 miles from Leicester and Peterborough and less than an hours drive from Nottingham. This market town is rich in both history and character, and is the administrative centre for Rutland. Every Wednesday and Saturday is market day and features a wide variety of stalls.
The reservoir at Rutland Water is one of the largest man-made lakes in Europe and provides a whole variety of outdoor attractions for visitors.
Oakham's parish church has an impressive spire, which dominates the surrounding countryside. The church dates mainly from the 14th century, although the oldest parts were built in the early 13th century
The Great Hall of Oakham Castle is one of the finest examples of late 12th century domestic architecture in England. Walkelin de Ferrers, a Norman baron, built it in about 1180-90. Steep earthworks marking the inner bailey surround it. The hall dates from the late 12th century. Inside the Great Hall is a unique collection of horseshoes, stemming from a tradition for 500 years that any royalty or peers of the realm who pass through the town must pay a horseshoe in forfeit. Nowadays this custom is only adhered to on special occasions such as official royal visits. The horseshoes hang upside down. This is generally considered unlucky, but in Rutland it was believed to stop the devil from sitting in the hollow of the shoe. |
