Mini Break by Rutland Water
Last week we welcomed two brothers for a 4 night stay – one staying at Puddle Cottage and the other at Snowdrop Cottage. They filled their long weekend with lots of activities which has made me think just how much you can do by Rutland Water in a few days.
How might you spend a 4 night stay with us? Here is a suggested itinerary:
Day 1: Explore the Nature Reserve – Start your day with a visit to the Rutland Water Nature Reserve .Rutland Water is one of the best places to enjoy birds and wildlife in the UK. With 1,000 acres of wild habitat, home to breeding Ospreys and 35 bird hides at the reserves, there is plenty to explore. This year there have been sightings of Otters this year too!
There are 2 bases – one at Egleton and one at Lyndon both of which are near to the cottages. The Nature Reserve is the home to the Ospreys and we welcome guests from all over the world to see the wildlife. You may wish to book a guided wildlife tour or birdwatching session to enhance your experience, details can be found here.
Day 2: Watersports and Outdoor Activities – Rutland Water is known for its excellent watersports facilities. Spend the day trying out activities such as sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, or paddleboarding. The watersports centre is on the North Shore of Rutland Water at Whitwell. Whitwell is also the home to the Aqua Park! Equipment rentals and lessons are available. Rutland Water Sailing Club is just a short walk down the lane from the cottages and they can provide sailing tuition, or you can arrange for an instructor to take you out for a sail if you wish.
If you prefer to stay on land, you can go walking or cycling around the reservoir. You can hire bikes at Normanton car park from Rutland Cycling. Many guests this year have enjoyed renting e-bikes (You may wish to reserve in advance during school holidays or weekends.) There are 4 to 8 mile family-friendly trails, taking in adventure playgrounds, cafes, and the sandy beach. To venture further and go all the way around the water, there is a 17-mile lap of the reservoir, with plenty of picnic or pub stops en route. For for the most adventurous, the full 23-mile trail which also takes in the peninsular.
There is a lovely walk from the cottages to Normanton Church along the shores of the reservoir, and you can return back through the village (Edith Weston). We also love the walk around Hambleton Peninsular which is about 5 miles and can also involve a stop at the Finches Arms, Hambleton
Day 3: Historical and Cultural Exploration – By this point you may want a break! There are 3 historic towns within 8 miles of the cottages – Oakham, Stamford and Uppingham. Visit Oakham to explore its historic buildings, including Oakham Castle and All Saints’ Church. Stamford is renowned for its stunning architecture, with over 600 listed buildings, making it one of the finest stone towns in England. The town’s medieval streets, picturesque stone houses, and quaint alleys create a unique and enchanting atmosphere. If you are looking to shop, many of the independent shops do close on a Sunday so you may wish to bear this in mind when planning your itinerary. If you are pottering around the shops, you can pick up a local pork pie – our area us famous for the Melton Mowbray Pork Pies!
Should you be visiting during the Summer, you could catch a performance at the Rutland Open Air Theatre at Tolethorpe in the evening if there are any shows scheduled during your visit.
Day 4: Relaxation and Leisure – Spend your last day enjoying some leisurely activities. How about a relaxing cruise on the Rutland Belle? You could pack a picnic and find a scenic spot by the shores of Rutland Water and enjoy a leisurely lunch. If you have time, you may wish to visit the nearby Barnsdale Gardens, known for its beautiful displays of flowers and plants or enjoy the House and Gardens at Burghley House.
If you would like to book a stay at Puddle or Snowdrop Cottage, please contact Anna 07734175291 or e/mail enquiries@puddle-cottage.co.uk. We would be delighted to welcome you. The availability and tariff for both cottages can be found here.
Puddle Cottage and Snowdrop Cottage are 4 star, ROSE awarded self catering cottages located in the village of Edith Weston on the South shore of Rutland Water. Rutland Sailing Club, Rutland Water Fishing Lodge and Normanton Church are all within walking distance of the cottage . The cottages both have 1 bedroom, both of which can be presented as either one super king sized bed to two full sized single beds. Well behaved dogs are very welcome at Puddle Cottage.