Rutland’s motto is “Multum in Parvo”, meaning “much in little”. As the smallest county in England, it’s certainly little but there’s an awful lot to it as well. If you live in London, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the high life around the city, but sometimes the way to experience luxury is to get some peace and quiet. Rutland is only a couple of hours away from the capital, and could offer you the perfect place to hide away if you want a quiet weekend. If you’re planning a trip away this spring or summer, you could do worse than spending some time in Rutland.
Choose Somewhere to Stay
Rutland might only be small, but there’s still plenty to do and it’s worth staying for at least a couple of days. Finding somewhere to stay should be your first step if you want to have a relaxing time. Luckily, you have a number of great options for a country house hotel in Rutland. Choose the right hotel and you can benefit from beautiful grounds and even a swimming pool. If you want something a bit smaller, you can also find some great guest houses, B&Bs and even pub rooms that will still offer you the comfort and convenience you’re looking for.
Places to Eat and Drink
It wouldn’t be a luxury weekend away if there weren’t good places to eat. Part of the fun of going away is that you can eat what you want and explore the local food and drink culture. Rutland is home to the restaurant with the longest-held Michelin star in the UK, and there are other fantastic restaurants on offer too. But if you’re not looking for a 2 AA Rosette restaurant like Lake Isle Restaurant, there are pubs, cafes and places to get afternoon tea. The Grimsthorpe Castle Tea Room is one option for the quintessential English pastime of drinking tea and eating tiny sandwiches, scones and cake.
Arts and Culture
Rutland has plenty of nature and wildlife, but it’s also a place that’s brimming with culture. Theatre is a particular attraction, with the open-air theatre at Tolethorpe Hall, where you can watch a production from the Stamford Shakespeare Company. There’s also Uppingham Theatre, where you can find everything from music to children’s theatre. If you prefer looking at art, you can find galleries like Goldmark Gallery and Orange Street Gallery. Uppingham has plenty of antique shops too. Each year, you can also enjoy Rutland’s arts festival, which gives you the chance to explore a range of different arts.
Visiting Stately Homes
For a luxury weekend, there can be nothing better than exploring some luxury homes. Rutland has some fantastic stately homes that you can visit, both within Rutland and just outside of the county. Rockingham Castle was built by William the Conqueror and opens for visitors in the spring. You can tour the castle or the gardens, or visit the tea rooms or gallery. There’s also Burghley House in Stamford, where you will find the Gardens of Surprise, as well as The Orangery Restaurant. In other counties nearby, you can visit Grimsthorpe Castle, Belvoir Castle, and Belton House.
Museums and Historic Buildings
On top of stately homes and art galleries, you’ll also find historic buildings and museums to explore in and around Rutland. Oakham Castle dates back to the 12th century and it’s free to visit all year, although it’s closed on Tuesdays, Sundays and bank holidays. It received funding for renovation in 2016 so it continues to be cared for. You might also want to visit the Rutland County Museum, where you can learn about history from a huge range of periods. There’s natural history from the Triassic and Jurassic periods, collections from both world wars and other military conflicts, and items from home life in Rutland through the years. There’s something for everyone, no matter what type of history you’re interested in.
Relaxing Spas
If you prefer not to move much while you’re away, instead of getting out and about, spending some time at a spa is also possible in Rutland. You can get spa treatments at Barnsdale Hall Hotel near Oakham, and there’s the Clarins Health Spa at Stapleford Park. If you go just over the border, you can also find Rushton Hall’s Stableyard Spa in Northamptonshire and Ragdale Hall in Leicestershire.
Spend a luxurious weekend in Rutland, where you can escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. There’s plenty to do – or not do if you prefer to stay in.
Jessica Lippe 
