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Essential Hotels > England > Rutland
Rutland is a county in the East Midlands of England; at just 18 miles by 17 miles across its longest and widest points, Rutland is the smallest county in England. Three other counties have borders with Rutland: Lincolnshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire and, although historically a separate entity, Rutland was absorbed into Leicestershire in 1974, only to be reinstated as its own distinct county again in 1997.
There are only two towns in the county – the county town of Oakham and the second town of Uppingham – but perhaps the most famous feature of Rutland is the large man-made lake known as Rutland Water. With a surface area similar to that of Lake Windermere in the Lake District, Rutland Water is the largest man-made lake in the UK; while Kielder Water in Northumberland is larger in terms of capacity, Rutland Water is the largest in terms of surface area. It is used as a reservoir, and is also home to many rare species of birds; Rutland Water and its surrounding environs are one of the most important breeding sites for Ospreys in England. The reservoir was constructed in 1976 amid great controversy as the damming of the Gwash Valley led to the flooding of a number of villages; its success in preventing water shortages in the densely populated East Midlands has, however, somewhat made up for this. Rutland Water is also a popular centre for leisure activities, including sailing and watersports, while walkers and cyclists enjoy using the bridle path around the perimeter. For the less energetic, the scenic beauty of Rutland Water may be enjoyed aboard one of the cruisers that tour the water every day.
For centuries, much of Rutland’s economy was based on agriculture, and to a large extent this is still the case today. However, the county played an important part in the development of nearby Corby’s great iron and steelworks, as much of the ironstone used as iron ore was quarried in Rutland. Additionally, Oakham and Uppingham served as important market towns and stopping off points for travellers; in the case of the former, a local tradition was for royalty and landed gentry to forfeit a horseshoe when staying over in the town – Oakham Castle’s Great Hall displays a large number of these horseshoes, and HRH The Queen followed tradition and donated a horseshoe on a recent visit.
There are only two towns in the county – the county town of Oakham and the second town of Uppingham – but perhaps the most famous feature of Rutland is the large man-made lake known as Rutland Water. With a surface area similar to that of Lake Windermere in the Lake District, Rutland Water is the largest man-made lake in the UK; while Kielder Water in Northumberland is larger in terms of capacity, Rutland Water is the largest in terms of surface area. It is used as a reservoir, and is also home to many rare species of birds; Rutland Water and its surrounding environs are one of the most important breeding sites for Ospreys in England. The reservoir was constructed in 1976 amid great controversy as the damming of the Gwash Valley led to the flooding of a number of villages; its success in preventing water shortages in the densely populated East Midlands has, however, somewhat made up for this. Rutland Water is also a popular centre for leisure activities, including sailing and watersports, while walkers and cyclists enjoy using the bridle path around the perimeter. For the less energetic, the scenic beauty of Rutland Water may be enjoyed aboard one of the cruisers that tour the water every day.
For centuries, much of Rutland’s economy was based on agriculture, and to a large extent this is still the case today. However, the county played an important part in the development of nearby Corby’s great iron and steelworks, as much of the ironstone used as iron ore was quarried in Rutland. Additionally, Oakham and Uppingham served as important market towns and stopping off points for travellers; in the case of the former, a local tradition was for royalty and landed gentry to forfeit a horseshoe when staying over in the town – Oakham Castle’s Great Hall displays a large number of these horseshoes, and HRH The Queen followed tradition and donated a horseshoe on a recent visit.