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Rutland approves traffic change on busy streets

Officials in Rutland have greenlit plans to change how traffic flows on two of the city’s busiest streets.

Woodstock Avenue and North Main Streets — Routes 4 and 7 in Rutland — currently have two lanes in either direction.

The new traffic pattern will reduce lanes in each direction to one, with a shared center turning lane.

Rutland City Mayor Michael Doenges says the changes will reduce the high number of left-turn accidents and slow drivers.

A similar design was tried briefly on Woodstock Avenue in 2014. But Doenges says that effort, which didn’t last, was not well-executed.

"These roads are 35 mph roads, and they are constantly being traveled at well over 50 mph," Doenges said. "That's not appropriate for our community.”

Doenges says traffic lights will be reconfigured and bike lanes added, which will make the roads more user friendly to cyclists and pedestrians.

The changes will be paid for by the state and go into effect next year.

Have questions, comments or tips?  Send us a message or reach out to reporter Nina Keck:

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Hidden England: Rutland travel guide

Rutland packs in picturesque villages, mighty castles and scenic views: England’s smallest county is full of surprises

Not many people have heard of Rutland, not even those who live in the UK. Comprising less than 150 square miles in the very heart of England, scenic, sleepy Rutland is flanked by the more famous counties of Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire.  

Rutland regained its status as a ceremonial county in 1997 and was given the motto “Multum in parvo”, the Latin for “Much in little” – and rightly so. What the smallest county in England lacks in size, it makes up for in charisma. With pretty Rutland Water at its heart, this is a county of golden ironstone villages, ancient churches, breathtaking farmland vistas, twinkly old pubs and the picture-perfect market towns of Uppingham and Oakham – home to two of the country’s most historic schools.  

While many gems lie just beyond county lines, there’s plenty to be explored within. Oakham – the county town and home to Rutland’s only train station – dates back to medieval times and is peppered with independent boutiques and coffee shops like Castle Cottage, purveyor of locally legendary cakes. The recently restored Oakham Castle, built 1180-90, is one of the oldest aisled stone halls in the country. Inside hang 240 horseshoes, gifted to the Lord of the Manor by royalty and peers, with the oldest dating back to Edward IV’s visit in 1470. The castle is the longest-running seat of justice in England – since 1229 – and is still occasionally used as a Crown Court. Nearby at Rutland County Museum visitors can learn more about crime and punishment in the county, and take a look at the only surviving ‘New Drop’ gallows in England.

A mile or so east, you reach the shores of Rutland Water. The reservoir has an interesting history, having been constructed in the 1970s via the demolition of one and a half villages and the flooding of a valley. The village of Upper Hambleton survived, and now sits on a peninsula, home to the 19th-century Hambleton Hall hotel.  

Rutland Water has evolved not only into a notable fishing and bird-watching destination – site of a programme to reintroduce osprey to England – but also as a place for bike and boat rides. Cycle round the scenic shores on bikes hired from Normanton – stopping for a pint or a pub lunch en route – or sail on the Rutland Belle from Whitwell.

Another reservoir, the Eyebrook, straddling Rutland and Leicestershire, offers stunning views and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest after being used in 1943 as a practice site for the Dambuster raids. Be sure to pop into nearby Stoke Dry church, whose walls bear a 13th-century mural. As legend has it, this is where Guy Fawkes and his co-conspirators thrashed out plans to blow up James I in 1605 .  

Travel a few miles south, just over Rutland’s border into Northampton, and you come to the Norman Rockingham Castle, standing proudly above the Welland Valley, with dramatic views across five counties. It was built under the instruction of William the Conqueror and boasts a Great Hall with portraits of Elizabeth I and her advisors, Lords Burghley, Howard and Dudley. The Long Gallery was once the focal point of family entertainment and holds an array of family artefacts, including a well-loved rocking horse.

Those on a castle-hopping tour shouldn’t miss Belvoir Castle in nearby Leicestershire. This fairytale Regency castle, home to the Duke of Rutland’s family since 1067, holds one of the country’s finest art collections, displayed in some breathtakingly grand rooms.  

Smaller than Oakham, Uppingham is known for its antiques shops and the renowned Goldmark Gallery, which specialises in 20th-century art and hosts a drop-in buffet lunch daily, free of charge. Bustling pubs line the square of this historic market town, which puts on an annual Fatstock Show: an opportunity for Rutland farmers to show off their pigs, sheep and cattle.

Another lovely town hereabouts is Stamford. Often described as the finest stone town in England, it built up and prospered in Georgian times thanks to the wool trade and its position as a mail coach interchange on the Great North Road, almost halfway between London and York.

Its attractiveness has led to its use as the backdrop for numerous TV costume dramas and films, including the 2005 iteration of Pride & Prejudice . In the village of Little Casterton nearby, Tolthorpe Hall is home to the Stamford Shakespeare Company, which puts on summer plays in an auditorium in the grounds.  

Any trip to Stamford should include a visit to magnificent Burghley House , one of England’s finest Elizabethan houses, set in sprawling parkland. It was built and mostly designed by William Cecil, Lord High Treasurer to Elizabeth I, between 1555 and 1587. A series of special events celebrating 500 years since Cecil’s birth is planned for 2020.

It’s a short detour to another historic site, Fotheringhay. While only the earthworks and the conical motte remain of Fotheringhay Castle, the site is worth a visit for its significance in British history. In 1587 the castle was chosen to host the trial and execution of Mary, Queen of Scots , whose body was subsequently transported to nearby Peterborough Cathedral for burial, before being moved for final burial at Westminster Abbey .  

With scenic views and historic sites galore, you could spend days exploring this pocket of hidden England, but make time too for its low-key charms. The real spirit of Rutland is to be found in its countless sleepy (or not so sleepy) villages, whose cosy pubs play host to fireside meet-ups in winter, and whose squares and grassy verges come alive with the clinking of Pimm’s glasses come summer. “Much in little”, indeed.

READ MORE: Regional guide to the Peak District

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Sarah Baxter | 03 May 2022

A travel guide to rutland, england.

Small-but-perfectly formed, Rutland packs in pretty villages, heritage and one of Europe’s largest man-made reservoirs...

W alking into Oakham’s old town centre, a blue plaque on a stone cottage caught my eye. It commemorated former resident Jeffrey Hudson (1619-1682), the ‘smallest man from the smallest county in England’. Hudson, I later leaned, was a metre-high court dwarf, decreed a ‘wonder of the age’ for his well-proportioned tiny size. So a bit like Rutland itself.

Rutland is the country’s smallest historic county by some margin and, hovering in the landlocked midlands, one many outsiders struggle to place on map. But it’s a perfectly formed package of rural England and crams a fair amount into its limited borders, from Cotswold-like villages to one of the largest man-made reservoirs in Europe. As its motto declares: Multum in Parvo – much in little.

Sunset over Rutland waters (Shutterstock)

It hasn’t long been this way. Although the county’s heritage stretches back centuries, it was incorporated into Leicestershire in the 1970s and only regained its unitary status in 1997 – so in 2022, Rutland marks the 25th anniversary of its modern-age independence.

“It’s nice to be independent,” baker Richard Baines told me as I ate a slice of traditional Battenberg outside his Uppingham store. “Control – you have control. And it’s unique isn’t it?”

Indeed, there is a uniqueness and quirk to this county. I drank honey-laced beer at the Grainstore tap room, a rare example of a traditional gravity-fed brewery. At Stoke Dry church I saw murals with a Native American-style headdress that, some believe, provide evidence of North America being discovered long before Columbus. I ate at the wonderful King’s Arms in Wing, where smoked Rutland Water trout and culled grey squirrel is often on the menu. I cycled around the Hambleton peninsula, which used to be a ridge amid fields but is now a headland poking into the reservoir. And at Oakham Castle I wondered why it’s been a thing, since at least 1470, for visiting nobles to gift enormous decorative horseshoes - a practice that happens nowhere else.

No, Rutland is distinctly itself, and all the better for it. And its compact size makes it ideal for discovering over a weekend.

Read next An insider guide to wild Northumberland

Oakham’s Buttercross market square (Alamy)

View from Stoke Dry towards Eyebrook Reservoir (Shutterstock)

How to spend 48 hours in Rutland

Make today a tale of two towns. Oakham, Rutland’s capital, is a pottering sort of place: wander between the market square (markets every Weds and Sat), Norman-era Oakham Castle (free), the County Museum (free) the high street and side alleys. Get refreshments at Scandi-inspired Fika , Otters or pick up a Rutland pippin – Lincolnshire pork, Stilton and apple sauce in an apple-shaped pastry case – from Hambleton Bakery .

Then hop on a bus or drive to Uppingham (top left) a small, handsome market town, dominated by Uppingham School. Follow the Heritage Trail and grab a drink on the main square at Don Paddy’s (donpaddys.co.uk) and a slice of Battenberg at Baines Bakery . Then consider a walk further afield: try a 10-12km loop south, via the church at Stoke Dry, Eyebrook Reservoir and the chocolate-box village of Lyddington.

Finish with fine dining at Uppingham’s  Lake Isle restaurant.

Inside Oakham Castle (Elli Dean Photography)

There’s no ignoring Rutland Water. This reservoir was created in 1975 following the flooding of the Gwash Valley (and two ancient hamlets with it) and is now the county’s inland sea – an outdoor playground and wildlife refuge.

A 27km almost-traffic-free cycle trail encircles the Water, or 37km including the optional circuit of hilly Hambleton Peninsula (recommended). Hire a bike or ebike at Whitwell, on the north shore (from £25) and spend a day riding around; pedal anti-clockwise to get the harder bits done first. Stop at T he Anglian Water Bird Watching Centre at Egleton , where hides overlook the lagoons. Stop for lunch in Manton , either at the Horse & Jockey Inn  or lovely Wellies cafe at the Garden Nursery . Pause at LRWT’s Lyndon Visitor Centre , the place to see ospreys in summer, and continue via Edith Weston village , ‘floating’ Normanton church, the dam and the swimming beach to return to Whitwell.

End the day back in Oakham, with dinner at the Admiral Hornblower .

Charlie Pallett

Local's tip

“Explore Rutland on foot. Start at Uppingham’s historic Market Place (where there’s a market every Friday, as there has been for centuries) and grab a snack from Uppingham Fine Food, my favourite independent shop. Stroll down the High Street and walk along a path called The Inhams to beautiful Bisbrooke – home to Wilma the village pig, an artisan bakery, a secret garden and a stunning church – before looping back to Uppingham.”

- Charlie Pallett, the Rutland Blogger, rutlandblog.co.uk

Stamford from above (Shutterstock)

Floating Normanton Church (Alamy)

Top things to do in Rutland

Rutland food and drink trail.

Eat your way around the Rutland Food & Drink Trail. This driving or cycling route visits a range of producers across the ‘County of Good Taste’, from brewers and gin distillers to coffee grinders and bread bakers.   discover-rutland.co.uk

Take a hike

The 100km Rutland Round roughly traces the perimeter, leading via attractive villages, award-winning pubs and quiet countryside, with detours to Oakham and Rutland Water. There’s no need to do it all at once: the official guidebook (£6.75; cordee.co.uk) breaks it into five sections. Also, the Rutland Local History & Record Society website has an interesting selection of village walks.   rutlandhistory.org

Barnsdale Gardens

Inhale  the floral delights at Barnsdale Gardens. Open year-round, Barnsdale is a collection of 38 themed and individually-designed garden ‘rooms’, fun to explore even if you’re not especially green-fingered. There’s an excellent tea room too. From £8.50pp;   barnsdalegardens.co.uk

Visit Stamford town

This stone-built Georgian town is a smidgen over the county line in Lincolnshire but a worthy add on (and is connected to Rutland by bus). Its narrow lanes are lined with independent shops and cafes. Burghley House, one of the England’s grandest Elizabethan houses, is nearby. £20pp;   burghley. co.uk

Wisteria Hotel (Donald Talbot)

Where to stay in Rutland

The Wisteria Hotel   is in the heart of Oakham, with good food and comfortable rooms; B&B doubles from £90pn.

The Falcon Hotel   is a 16th-century coaching inn on Uppingham’s market square, with a quality restaurant, pretty garden and cosy lounge; B&B doubles from £115pn.

How to get to Rutland

Rutland sits in the centre of England, so isn’t a long drive from anywhere (around 2.5hrs from both London and Manchester). Oakham, on the Birmingham-Stansted Cross Country Line, is the county’s only train station. Bus routes within Rutland are limited (especially at weekends) but connect some towns and villages, including Oakham and Uppingham.   The Rutland Belle   plies the eastern end of Rutland Water, April-October. See   discover-rutland.co.uk .

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A county for taste: cycling around Rutland, England’s secret foodie heartland

The smallest county holds astonishing culinary variety: from prize-winning pubs and pastries to an England bowler’s grill school – plus a lovely bit of squirrel

‘Y ou can get a good meal for two out of one grey squirrel,” chef James Goss told me as we sat in his pub after the evening rush. “I prepped 20 today; that’ll be 40 portions.” He might make squirrel sausages. Maybe confit leg. Or squirrel linguine. But somehow, they’d be on the menu – nothing is wasted at the Kings Arms in Wing . “Vermin should be eaten,” he said. “If it gets shot, it gets bloody used.”

That’s how Goss feels about food. When he took over this 17th-century Rutland village pub in 2004 he threw out the microwaves and frozen nuggets and scoured the local area for top-quality producers and good, cheap, unwanted ingredients with which he could get creative; he even built his own smokehouse so as not to waste a glut of Rutland Water trout. I’d just enjoyed some of his delicate smoked trout paté, followed by muntjac chump – another pest species he’d rendered tender and delicious.

“We come from Northumberland just to eat here,” chipped in the couple on the table opposite, who turned out to be members of the Red Squirrel Survival Trust ; when they come, they bring down culled greys for Goss’s kitchen – probably the only items sourced from so far away. A map on the pub wall, naming and locating the Kings Arms’ suppliers, showed how low its food miles are. And it indicated just how many interesting producers are packed inside England’s smallest county.

Landlocked Rutland calls itself the County of Good Taste. This rural, wheat-wavy, sheep-grazed wedge of the Midlands didn’t have a McDonald’s until November 2020 – the last county to hold out against the golden arches. Within its snug boundaries lie the 2021 Good Pub Guide Pub of the Year (the Olive Branch , Clipsham), the UK’s longest-retained Michelin star ( Hambleton Hall ), one of England’s last operational 19th-century windmills (at Whissendine ) and a host of entrepreneurs doing appetising things. From 25-31 October, this culinary prowess will be showcased at Discover Rutland Food & Drink Week , a festival of samplings, beer tastings, pumpkin picking and special menus created by the county’s best chefs, culminating in the Rutland Ball.

But I’d come earlier, to combine the 23-mile, almost traffic-free cycle path around Rutland Water with parts of the new Food & Drink Trail – a 25-mile downloadable cycle route via various producers, cafes, brewers, fudge makers and more, in Oakham and countryside villages – to find out if the county was as tasty as it claimed.

The Kings Arms sits a mile south of Rutland Water, the massive reservoir in the county’s centre. But I’d started on the north shore, at the bike hire shop in Whitwell . And with breakfast in mind, I was soon pedalling up a leafy lane to Hambleton Bakery .

“When we opened in 2008, the building was a derelict power station,” said co-owner Julian Carter, as I drooled over his raspberry tarts, crusty sourdoughs and Rutland pippins – a Lincolnshire sausage, apple sauce and stilton pastry created for thITV show Britain’s Best Bakery (which Hambleton won). Carter, a 10th-generation baker, has an eclectic CV that includes stints cooking at Downing Street and Chequers. But his approach here is simple: “We set out to make good bread with no additives, using old-fashioned recipes and local produce.”

Hambleton’s spelt and rye flour come from a young local farmer who’s now using traditional methods to grow lower-yield, higher-quality crops. “As long as he’s got someone guaranteeing to buy it, which we do, he grows it that way. We have to pay more for less. But if you care about what you eat …”

It’s clearly working. Hambleton is expanding into new premises this year, with the original bakery here in sleepy Exton being turned into a cafe. I contented myself with scoffing a light, flaky eccles cake – Carter’s favourite, made to an old family recipe – before continuing my ride.

Back by the Water, I pootled past green banks and honking geese, following the cycle path into Oakham, Rutland’s compact “capital”. Here, the centre felt like a 1940s flashback: bunting strewn, market buzzy and lined with independents, from Otters Fine Foods cafe/deli to Leeson Butchers (purveyor of award-winning pork pies). I rode to the Grainstore , where Rory Gibson gave me a whistlestop tour of one of the UK’s few remaining gravity-fed breweries. “The ingredients are hauled up to the third floor and flow around the building,” he said, leading me through the former British Rail warehouse. “All breweries would have been like this before electricity. Now, most use 16 or so pumps; we have two. It’s a slower process but some say it results in a better taste.” Although it was a little early, I concurred: my honey-tinged Beesting was just the ticket for a warm day.

I was glad I hadn’t sunk too much, though, as I pedalled on via the hilly Hambleton peninsula’s short but steep undulations and the bird-busy lagoons at Egleton’s nature reserve. Eventually I reached the Garden Nursery , where behind the pot plants and lovely cafe an England cricketer has exchanged bat for barbecue tongs.

“I was introduced to braai-ing when I played in South Africa and I just loved that culture,” former fast-medium bowler Matthew Hoggard explained, as he showed me around the many barbecues, smokers and spit-roasters he uses to teach at his cooking school, Hoggy’s Grill . Unsure what to do after retiring, he finally decided to focus on what he loves most – eating and drinking, ideally outside, with flames – and opened Hoggy’s in 2020.

Hoggard is passionate and knowledgable about food and, I suspect, a most congenial teacher; as we sat looking over Rutland Water, we talked everything from charcoal to app-enabled meat probes (“you can bugger off to the pub and check your meat from there”). It turns out there’s a lot of skill to grilling, though the quality of the ingredients is still critical; for his burger-making classes, Hoggard sources “amazing” beef from Simpsons in nearby Stamford, twice winner of Butcher’s Shop of the Year. He admits that starting a business during a pandemic hasn’t been ideal, but he already has big plans: “I want to take people fishing on the Water to catch trout, and then come back here and cook it.”

Perhaps accompanied by a G&T? The Garden Nursery is also the HQ of the county’s first gin, Multum Gin Parvo , launched in late 2019, which uses ingredients such as Rutland acorns, elderflower and lavender to flavour its range. Its name is a play on the county motto: Multum in Parvo – much in little. I finished my ride by raising a little glass of its Migration Gin, which is infused with west African hibiscus, a nod to the ospreys that fly from the region to Rutland Water each summer. A donation from each bottle sold goes to an osprey conservation project. A tasty notion indeed.

The Kings Arms in Wing has doubles from £ 55 (room only), thekingsarms-wing.co.uk . Bike hire costs from £24.99 a day at rutlandcycling.com . Visit discover-rutland.co.uk .

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20 Fun Things to Do in Rutland VT

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• 20 Fun Things to Do in Rutland VT - February 6, 2023

Despite being one of Vermont’s largest cities, Rutland offers the perfect blend of big city attractions and small-town charm . Nestled in the heart of Vermont’s unspoiled Green Mountains, Rutland provides limitless opportunities to get outside and play, share a top-notch meal with family or friends, or spend the afternoon shopping in its vibrant downtown . 

I spent a lot of time here in my 20’s, so I’ve experienced a lot of the Vermont fun things to do  to be had in Rutland.

Whether you’re here for a week vacationing with family in Rutland or just passing through on your leaf-peeping excursion in the fall, I’m sure you’ll find yourself wanting to come back to explore more of the region. While you’re here, check out some of our favorite things to do in Rutland VT! 

Table of Contents

Things to Do in Rutland VT

Get outside.

Vermont is a nature lover’s paradise. Despite being a city, Rutland offers unparalleled opportunities to get outside and explore throughout the four seasons (or six, depending on who you ask). 

Pine Hill Park

Located on the edge of the city’s limits in Rutland’s northwest corner, Pine Hill Park is home to over 325 acres of forest. Pine Hill Park offers 17 miles of single-track trails, making it the perfect spot for biking, hiking, trail running, snowshoeing, backcountry skiing, and geocaching. The park is open year-round and is regularly maintained by a dedicated group of volunteers. 

White Rocks Recreation Area

This one isn’t in Rutland, but it’s one you don’t want to miss. White Rocks Recreation Area is located in Wallingford, Vermont, just 15 minutes from Rutland. White Rocks is proudly on display as you head south out of the city, and in the warmer months the peak glows pink under the setting summer sun. This popular four-mile out-and-back trail features a waterfall and breathtaking views from the top. 

Lake Bomoseen

When the temperature begins to rise, locals and visitors alike flock to Lake Bomoseen. Less than 30 minutes away from Rutland, this is the largest lake that lies entirely within Vermont . Lake Bomoseen is great for boating, fishing, swimming, and more. While you’re there, grab a bite to eat at the Lake House Pub & Grille or The Taproom at Lake Bomoseen Lodge . 

Killington and Pico Resorts

Rutland City lies in the Killington Valley, making it a perfect spot for those who want to ski or ride at Killington Resort , or its smaller sister mountain Pico . Affectionately known as “The Beast of the East,” Killington Resort is home to seven distinct mountain areas, including Killington Peak – which stands at 4,241 feet. In the winter months, enjoy snowmobile and snowshoe tours, their tubing park, snowcat-drawn sleigh rides, and more. In the summer, visit the Adventure Center and take a ride down the Beast Coaster, or enjoy a scenic gondola ride, Segway tour, or hop on your mountain bike and go. 

Pico Mountain is great for families, beginners, or those looking for a slower pace on the slopes, with 468 skiable acres and 19 miles of trails. 

Celebrate the Arts

For those who want to tap into their more creative side, Rutland has something for you. Rutland’s art scene includes galleries, museums, performing arts venues, outdoor murals and sculptures – just to name a few. 

The Paramount Theatre

The Paramount Theatre welcomes world-renowned performers, actors, and comedians to its historic home in downtown Rutland. In recent years, Kip Moore, Jack Hanna, Twiddle, Howie Mandel, Blues Traveler, and many more have graced the stage of the theatre in Rutland.

The Paramount Theatre opens its doors to show sporting events and movies on the big screen, from the Super Bowl to The Grinch to National Theatre Live. The venue also hosts some of the community’s most loved events, including Dancing with the Rutland Stars and Real Rutland Feud. 

Chaffee Art Center

Chaffee Art Center is the hub of creativity in Rutland. Chaffee Art Center features a gallery with new exhibits and artists added each month. Twice each year (in summer and fall), Chaffee Art Center hosts Art in the Park . This fun, family-friendly festival features juried fine artists, craftspeople, and speciality food producers on exhibit and for sale, as well as food vendors, live music, and artist demonstrations. 

Art Galleries

Rutland is home to several art galleries. The Castleton University Bank Gallery can be found in the historic bank building in the heart of downtown Rutland. The gallery features shows, which change monthly, with a focus on local artists and their photography, painting, sculpture, and other mediums. 77 Art Center includes a gallery – Gallery 77 – and a gallery space in the historic Opera House. 77 Art Center hosts exhibits, events, and an international artist residency program. 

Downtown Rutland is beautiful to begin with, but the murals and other public art that have popped up in recent years have really set it apart from other towns in Vermont. Rutland is home to incredible works of art. Animals are the biggest theme, with whales, peregrine falcons, elephants, giraffes, fish, an owl, and yes, even a monkey holding a pigeon with a balloon that reads “everything is going to be ok.” This particular mural appeared during the height of the pandemic and was a sweet reminder of why this community is such a special place to work, live, and play. 

Other murals include a duel between Batman and Grifin, fruit and flowers on a table, Greta Thunberg, and a hidden tunnel. My favorites include a monochromatic mural of Rutland’s most recognizable buildings and artist LMNOPI ’s breathtaking mural in Center Street Marketplace Park . See it for yourself when you have dinner at Roots The Restaurant , one of the best restaurants in Rutland!

Shop in Rutland

Rutland offers the convenience of a large city with department stores and chain retailers, but you want to head to Downtown Rutland for the best shopping. 

Phoenix Books

No city is complete without a good bookstore. I would take a trip to Phoenix Books over Barnes and Noble any day. It’s small, but don’t let its size fool you. Phoenix Books is cozy and intimate, offering a great selection of new releases and older favorites. Be sure to check out the back left corner, featuring their greeting cards, apparel, puzzles, games, and more. Because the staff are bookworms like myself, I know I can trust them to fill my basket with their staff picks and other recommendations. 

Fruition Fineries

When you walk into Fruition Fineries , you pause. It looks more like what you’d expect to find in New York City, and less what you’d expect to find in a place like rural Vermont. But it’s the place to get exactly what you need. Dress for a date? Check. A new sweater just because? Yes. A birthday present for your sister, mom, or friend? You got it. They even offer personal shopping assistance upon request.

The Curiosity Shop

The Curiosity Shop is one of the more eclectic places to shop in Rutland. The store features antiques, collectibles, furniture, and other fun things you didn’t know you wanted or needed. It’s one of those places you have to keep going back to because they constantly have new items. 

The Farmers Market 

Rutland is home to a year-round farmers market , which happens to be the largest in the state. Find fresh produce from local farmers and growers, bread and baked goods, jewelry and crafts, maple syrup, and much more at this twice-weekly market.

Grab a Bite to Eat

Sugar and Spice

The best breakfast in Rutland can be found in a rustic, working sugar house. Sugar and Spice sits just outside Rutland in the neighboring town of Mendon, Vermont, serving breakfast and lunch daily. They have the best pancakes, and this is the place where locals and visitors alike start their day. Get there early, and ask to be seated upstairs for the full experience. When you’re done, stop by their gift shop to bring a little Sugar and Spice home with you. 

Speakeasy Café

Ask any local about their favorite coffee shop, and this will be it! Speakeasy Café is quaint and cozy, and their menu is filled with delicious food and drinks. Eating there just makes me feel like a cooler human being. Where else can you get a bagel with spicy avocado cream cheese AND a vegan/ gluten free sweet & salty pink grapefruit muffin? This is one of my favorite places to catch up with friends or have a casual work meeting. 

If Rutland has mastered one thing, it’s sandwiches. Seriously, we have some of the best sandwich shops. But this one is the BEST. Gills has been around since 1964 and is still family owned and operated. With fresh rolls baked daily and high-quality ingredients, it’s my go-to place lunch spot. Gills grinders are legendary. Before Christmas, I was waiting in line and overheard someone on the phone asking if they would ship a grinder to her daughter because it was all she wanted but couldn’t make it home for the holidays. They’re seriously that good. 

TaSo on Center

This one is newer to Rutland’s dining scene, but has quickly become a local favorite! The owner is no stranger to the restaurant business, as his family owns The Palms , one of my favorite Italian restaurants. TaSo on Center has a modern, industrial feel, making it the perfect spot for date night. Start with the Dirty Fries, try the Fish Tacos, and definitely have dessert. You won’t regret it!

Brix Bistro

Brix Bistro is a cozy, casual lounge serving a small-plate bistro menu and fine wine, beer, and cocktails. Think meat and cheese boards, salads, pasta, sliders, and a few delicious entrees. Grab some friends during the warmer months and enjoy an evening on the patio taking in the beauty in Downtown Rutland. 

There’s Always More to See and Do in Rutland

Wonderfeet Kids Museum

Rutland has its very own children’s museum. Wonderfeet Kids Museum welcomes children of all ages, with hands-on, interactive exhibits for children ages 0-8 years old. They offer a dedicated play area for infants, while the bigger kids get free rein to play in the kinetic sand, build with legos, draw, play in the kitchen or the credit union, and much more.

This should definitely be on your list of things to do in Rutland, Vermont with kids!

Pyramid Holistic Wellness Center

This full-service wellness center offers classes, services, and experiential opportunities for your mind, body, and soul. My absolute favorite thing about visiting Pyramid is a chance to relax in their salt cave. This Himalayan salt cave has over 17,000 pounds of salt and was the first public salt cave built in the United States. It offers a one-of-a-kind experience, with a zero gravity chairs, a fireplace wall, a fiber optic night sky, and calming music. 

Hathaway Farm

Hathaway Farm is a must visit if you’re in Rutland for fall. Not only does it have a fantastic pumpkin patch that is open to the public, but its 12-acre corn maze is a guaranteed good time!

Now that you have the inside scoop on the best things to do in the region, we hope you’ll come to visit (or come back and visit again). This list is by no means all-encompassing, and there’s more to discover in Rutland and its surrounding communities. Next time you’re here, ask a local about their favorite Rutland thing to do and watch your list grow! 

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A1 recap as busy stretch of main road blocked after crash

There was severe congestion

• Updated 19:12, 23 SEP 2022

A major Lincolnshire road faced severe traffic congestion after a crash. The collision took place on the A1 Northbound in Rutland and affected traffic from the B1081 Tickenote to Broadgate Road on the South Witham/Thistleton Turn Off.

Traffic monitoring system Inrix reported that the road was partially blocked due to the accident and there is slow traffic. Google Maps showed severe traffic congestion from the Water Lane turn-off in Stamford on the A1 Northbound all the way up to Stretton.

Read more: Government lists project to build major relief road in North Hykeham as priority

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Traffic update

The road has reopened.

Four-mile queueing traffic

Inrix states that there is queueing traffic for four miles as a result of the crash.

The travel time is currently 15 minutes.

Traffic is being affected between Stamford and Grantham.

Traffic congestion

The dark red lines show the current traffic congestion that has built up on the A1 heading towards Stretton.

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• Food & Drink

A Taste of Rutland

• 7 minute read

• November 17, 2023

Britain’s smallest county proves to be a big draw for foodies, offering everything from the Rutland Pippin to Michelin-starred dining. Its enormous watery playground is surrounded by honey coloured villages, one of which claims to be twinned with Paris.

Driving through the blink-and-you-miss-it village of Whitwell, population 41, I wonder if I read the street sign correctly. ‘Twinned with Paris’, it announces proudly. Whitwell might have a handful of pretty, stone cottages, possibly more ducks than residents and an appealing-looking pub called The Noel, but Paris? Really?

It’s not until we sit down to lunch later at the Olive Branch at Clipsham that the co-owner Ben Jones throws some light on it.

“One night some of the locals in the pub decided it was a good idea,” he chuckles. “It’s pretty tongue in cheek.”

It was apparently in 1980 that pub regulars decided to write to the then mayor of Paris, a certain Jacques Chirac, proposing the ambitious twinning. They added that if they didn’t receive a response, they would assume that Paris had accepted the offer. When no RSVP was received, a farcical ceremony was held, and the sign has been there ever since.

It’s just one of the quirky things my son and I discover during a trip to Rutland, England’s smallest historic county (and yes, the Isle of Wight may be a smidgeon smaller, but it’s a ceremonial county). This is the place with the largest collection of horseshoes in a Norman castle, where legend has it that Guy Fawkes et al plotted to blow up James I in parliament and which even has its own version of the pork pie – the Rutland Pippin, shaped like an apple.

Squeezed in between Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire and Leicestershire, Rutland might be pint-sized but it really packs a punch in the charisma stakes.

Sharing the same geology as the Cotswolds, its rolling green hills are studded with honey-coloured stone villages cloaked with a raw charm the chichi Cotswolds hasn’t seen for decades. And it’s relatively crowd free.

The county, whose motto multum in parvo means ‘much in little’, also comes with a spectacular centrepiece in the form of Rutland Water. Covering more than 3,000 acres, it’s one of the largest constructed lakes in Europe. This watery playground of the East Midlands is a place where you can windsurf, sail or fish its waters, go for a serene hike along its shores, or gaze skyward at ospreys and red kites gliding overhead.

We’re here to cycle around its perimeter, all 23 miles of it. But before that, a chance to scope the watery world from the deck of the Rutland Belle , learning a bit about the history of this reservoir, created by flooding two villages in the 1970s.

We chug to the water’s most famous landmark, Normanton Church, which might seem to float on water from a distance but which we can see standing on its own shored-up peninsula as we approach. Saved from demolition by locals when plans for the reservoir were announced, the church is now a wedding venue and a popular picnic spot.

Back on land, it’s time to hit the cycle-hire shop. “There are only two hilly bits,” the lady at Rutland Cycling assures us. “If you go anticlockwise, you’ll hit the first one almost immediately, and over the other side of the water you’ll be able to coast down the second one.” All I can say is they must count a little differently in Rutland because, at times, it feels like the route goes up and down yo-yo style.

As for the hardy souls on Google who say it’s easily done in three hours, I can only suppose they are honed athletes; we set out at 11am and arrived back totally shattered at 4pm, with a much-needed lunch pit stop at the perfectly placed Horse & Jockey pub in Manton.

It’s a scenic cycle though, mostly on a decent path with just a small section on a quiet road. Sometimes we pedal right down by the water’s edge, others we are flanked by fields of lambs or speed through tunnels of trees.

You can save yourself six miles if you miss out the promontory that juts out into Rutland Water but this forms some of the most photogenic part of the route (as well as a challenging hilly section). A tip: take a saddle cover – your bum will be numb by the end of the day.

Luckily, we don’t have far to go once we’ve returned the bikes (not that anywhere is far in this county that measures little more than 17 miles in any direction). We’re staying just two minutes up the road at The Barnsdale , fresh from a major renovation, with its boldly coloured fabric headboards and patterned wallpaper. A former Georgian hunting lodge with 45 rooms arranged around an appealing courtyard, it makes a comfortable and decently priced base from which to explore this fascinating county.

It also serves some excellent food – just what you need when you feel you’ve earnt your food miles on a marathon cycle ride. We do full justice to lobster and squid with orange and fennel that is wonderfully chargrilled. It’s the perfect precursor to delicious gnocchi with wild field mushrooms and spinach for me and an excellently cooked steak for my son.

Rutland prides itself on its food, and rightly so, given its agricultural heritage, although it did give way to the march of McDonalds in 2020 (the last British county to do so).

Every meal we eat is exceptional, starting at the Olive Branch at Clipsham, a short drive from a row of 150 yew trees clipped into unusual shapes that line what was the driveway to Clipsham Hall. Within a series of interlinked rooms that were once three farm labourers’ cottages, the atmosphere is very much ye olde village inn – beams, rustic furniture and roaring fires.

Yet the food is a long way from your average pub grub. My Maris Piper potato risotto with cep, caramelised leek, truffle and mozzarella works beautifully with the pub’s own beer – Olive ale, although there’s also an impressive wine list. The idea, says co-owner Ben Jones, is that if you want a £180 Mendoza, it’s there, but if you’d rather just relax with a glass of Riesling for a fiver, that’s fine too.

It’s a little more formal at Hambleton Hall , a Victorian mansion with a sweep of elegant public rooms and manicured gardens leading down to Rutland Water; it sits on the reservoir’s promontory. Eating exquisite canapés while we peruse the menu, we gaze out at the view framed by two cork oaks and see the cycle path we toiled along just the day before.

One of Britain’s longest holders of a Michelin star and a member of Relais & Châteaux foodie group, Hambleton really wows in the culinary stakes, with chef Aaron Patterson using produce from the kitchen garden and local suppliers to create artfully arranged dishes. They taste as good as they look, starting with poached king prawns with ponzu, avocado and seaweed before a delightfully fresh dish of tagliatelle and wild mushrooms.

Save room for the sourdough – it comes from their own Hambleton Bakery in Exton. It’s conveniently near The Barnsdale, so we pop in later to sample the Rutland Pippin, a combination of ham hock, sausage meat, apple sauce and Stilton in an apple-shaped pastry.

In between eating, there’s plenty more to explore, including the quaint market towns of Uppingham and Oakham, with their posh private schools, traditional butchers, bakers and boutiques, and a smattering of antique shops and art galleries.

Oakham is also home to a Norman castle, although what they call the ‘finest surviving example of Norman domestic architecture in Europe’ is actually the great hall of a fortified manor, which lies within defensive curtain walls.

Its interiors are hung with about 240 gilded horseshoes offered by visiting royalty and aristocrats; the oldest dates to Edward IV’s visit in 1470, and there’s one from King Charles, when he was Prince of Wales. No one really knows the reason behind the equine gifts, except that the horseshoe featured on the coat of arms of the de Ferrers family who owned the castle; it is also part of Rutland’s own banner.

There’s one more place to check out in this fascinating county before we head for home. In the tiny village of Stoke Dry, we navigate a stone staircase to the priest’s room above the porch in St Andrew’s church. Legend has it that Sir Everard Digby, who became Lord of the manor of Stoke Dry in 1592, first met with his cohorts to devise the Gunpowder Plot here.

But although it’s easy to imagine Guy Fawkes et al whispering to each other in this atmospheric, poky room, a sign tells us it’s not true; Sir Everard moved to Buckinghamshire years before the dastardly plot was hatched.

There is, though, intrigue in the form of the 13th-century wall murals on the other side of the church. They show King Edmund being impaled by arrows by what look like American Indians some 200 years before Christopher Columbus ‘discovered’ the Americas. Could they be proof that the Vikings took their longships across the Atlantic before the famed explorer? Or is it just another idiosyncrasy in this quirky little county?

Rooms at The Barnsdale cost from £120, B&B; → barnsdalerutland.com

→ For more information: discover-rutland.co.uk

Text by Jane Knight

In this article:

Post written by: Jane Knight

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• October 10, 2023

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Tour of holiday lights in Rutland

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RUTLAND, Vt. -

It’s a nice night for at least one guided tour, especially one that gives riders a bright and colorful trip around town.

A family of twelve started it’s holiday weekend off with a ride around town.

The driver? He’s part-time Santa’s helper and part-time guide for Vermont Backroad Tours. He knows the area well after 27 years of delivering mail.

But this tour, which has been going on for a decade isn’t of back roads -- it’s of front lawns.

“I like Christmas lights,” said Corinne Deering, who’s visiting her parents from Burlington. “I don’t get around too much in Rutland other than to my parents house so it’s nice to see the lights around town.”

For a small fee the tour travels throughout Rutland and into North Clarendon making multiple stops along the way.

“All it takes is going a couple blocks off from the main road onto some of these side roads to see some really incredible displays,” said Kelly Socia, with Vermont Backroad Tours.

One of those stops is a common fan favorite.

“It must take them an awful long time and their electric bill must go up but it’s nice for us,” said Deering.

“About two weeks before Halloween I start taking everything out and putting it in my garage - starting to fix the deer, there are 22 deer and thousands upon thousands of light sets,” said Artie Hetzel.

Hetzel has made decorating his North Clarendon lawn a priority for nearly 40 years.

“There was a 22-year-old guy that stopped down a couple weeks ago. He said, ‘Mr. Henzel I want to thank you for doing this, I’ve been coming here since I was four years old. This is my two and a half year old son. We’re going to keep this going year after year.’ I went inside and said to my wife, ‘Oh my lord I’ll never be able to stop,’” said Hetzel.

Putting on a display like this one does come with a steep price but Hetzel says his 450 dollar electricity bill is totally worth it especially when he sees bus loads of people coming to take it all in.

1 adult, 4 children hospitalized following Mendon crash

MENDON, Vt. (WCAX) - Five people -- including four children -- were sent to the hospital after a crash on Route 4 in Mendon Thursday morning.

It happened around 9 a.m. near Medway Road. Vermont State Police say Denise Hill, 36, of Rutland drove her pickup off the road into an embankment. The children ranged in age from three to 11 years old. Everyone was taken to Rutland Regional Medical Center and then on to UVM Medical Center with severe injuries.

Fire officials also say the family dog that was in the car died.

There’s no word yet on what caused the crash. Police say Hill was not wearing a seat belt. They also say charges are pending.

The road was closed for over an hour but is now back open.

Copyright 2024 WCAX. All rights reserved.

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