Rutland

England's smallest county packs a good deal into a compact area, with Rutland Water forming its natural centrepiece. This vast reservoir draws walkers, cyclists and birdwatchers to its shores, its circular trail offering some of the most peaceful scenery in the region and a natural focus for a slower-paced break.

Oakham, the county town, provides a good base with its market square, historic castle remains and easy access to the water. Uppingham has a quieter, more scholarly character, shaped by its well-known school and lined with independent shops and stone-built houses. Clipsham, smaller still, suits those seeking a rural retreat, known locally for its stone quarries and tranquil surroundings away from any crowds.

England's smallest county packs a fair range of places to stay into a compact area. Oakham, the county town, has options like the Oakham Hotel alongside inn-based rooms such as The Fox and Hounds, while Uppingham offers a quieter market-town base with places like The Lake Isle Hotel & Restaurant, known as much for its dining as its beds.

Rutland Water draws a good number of visitors, and hotels such as The Angler Hotel and Normanton Park Hotel sit close enough to make the most of it, useful if you want walking, cycling or watersports on the doorstep. Clipsham, smaller and more rural, adds village character through inns like The Fox and Hounds and The White Lion Inn.

Beyond the standard hotels, Rutland has a strong showing of B&Bs and coaching inns, from The Tithe Barn to ArtHouse B&B and The George Inn. These tend to suit those wanting a more personal stay, and are worth considering if you plan to explore on foot or by bike rather than base yourself in one spot.

England's smallest county packs in a fair variety of days out, most of them within easy reach of Oakham. Rutland Water Nature Reserve is the obvious draw, with its birdlife and walking and cycling trails around the reservoir, but there's plenty beyond it for families and rainy afternoons alike.

Oakham itself yields the Rutland Gallery for art and a self-guided Treasure Trail for anyone keen to explore the town on foot. Younger children are well served by Rutland Farm Park and Mini Monsters Softplay, both good options when the weather turns. Between the outdoor reserve and these indoor and town-based attractions, it's easy to build a full day without much travelling.

England's smallest county packs in a good spread of places to eat and drink, from Oakham's cafes and pub kitchens to spots further out near Rutland Water. The Grainstore Brewery Tap is a fixture for anyone wanting beer brewed on site, while Castle Cottage at Oakham Castle and Cameo offer a quieter, more traditional stop in the town centre.

Away from Oakham, the choice widens to garden centre cafes such as The Orchard Cafe at Welland Vale, waterside options like Rutland Sailing Club, and casual all-day cafes such as Double R Cafe and Picks Barn Cafe. There's also variety in cuisine, with Sarpech and Köz sitting alongside more classic British menus.

Given the county's size, most places are within easy reach of each other, so it's worth pairing a walk around the water or a visit to Oakham with lunch or dinner nearby rather than planning a long trip purely around one venue.

Rutland's compact size means most campsites and glamping bases sit within easy reach of Rutland Water, England's largest reservoir by surface area and the county's main draw for cyclists, walkers and birdwatchers. Sites like Lyndon Top and The Hide at Manton Bay put you close to the nature reserves along the southern shore, while Rutland Water Campsite offers a straightforward base near the watersports centre and the trail that circles the whole reservoir.

Elsewhere, farm-based sites such as Old Oak Farm, Greendale Farm Caravan and Camping and The Mushroom Farm and Campsite give a quieter, more rural feel away from the water, and Stretton Lakes Touring Park and Wing Hall Wing Lakes Caravan and Camping add their own lakeside settings near Oakham. For something more comfortable, Rutland Rural Retreats and Ranksborough Hall Caravan Park cover glamping and touring pitches in equal measure.

Choosing between them often comes down to whether you want reservoir access or a more secluded farm setting, since distances across Rutland are short enough that nothing is ever far from Oakham or the water itself.

England's smallest county packs a good spread of self-catering cottages into a compact area, from converted barns to traditional stone cottages tucked around villages near Rutland Water. Broccoli Bottom offers a cluster of individually named cottages, such as Carrot Cottage and Fennel Folly, useful for group trips or repeat visits where you fancy trying somewhere different each time.

Elsewhere, properties like Bakers Retreat, Dick's Cottage and Grange Cottage suit couples or small families wanting a quieter base, while the Fairchilds barns cater to larger parties. With Rutland Water and its watersports, walking and cycling routes close to hand, location matters less than in bigger counties, but it's still worth checking which villages put you nearest the reservoir versus the market towns of Oakham and Uppingham.