Oakham

For centuries the farmland and vales around the once county town of Rutland, and to the east is the largest man made lake in Britain – Empingham Reservoir with a 24 mile perimeter, a half mile wide dam, 110ft high blocks off the water of the River Gwash.

The capital of the smallest county with a fine Butter Cross, with stocks and a church dating from the 12th to 15th century.

The walls of Oakham Castle, a 12th century manor house are decorated with horseshoes which have been paid as a toll by visiting peers since medieval times.

The Church of All Saints has an impressive 14^th century west tower with a spire of Ashlar stone. There are some interesting sculptured capitals and arcades.