Oakham Castle

Market Place
Oakham
Rutland
LE15 6DX

Tel: +44 (0)1572 758 440
Email: museum@rutland.gov.uk


The splendid Great Hall of Oakham Castle is one of the finest examples of late 12th century domestic architecture in England. It was built by Walkelin de Ferrers, a Norman baron, in about 1180-90.

The remains of other parts of this fortified manor house lie beneath the grass of the inner bailey. It was surrounded by earthen banks and stone walls which had at least two towers. To the north were gardens and fishponds.

The Hall possesses a range of 12th century figure sculpture. Above the capitals of its fine column are six musicians, each playing a different instrument. Although damaged, they are of superb quality. Almost certainly, the stonework was carved by masons who had worked at Canterbury Cathedral. They used local stone from Clipsham.

The Castle was the residence of the lord of the manor of Oakham. Sometimes, the king held the manor himself and visited the castle. By the early 16th century many of the buildings were ruinous. However, the Great Hall continued in use as a courtroom, the hub of both the manor of Oakham and the county of Rutland. Assize courts were held here until 1970. Today, occasional Crown Courts and Coroner's Inquests still take place.

Over 200 horseshoes hang on the walls of the castle. These represent the unique custom that every peer of the realm, on his first visit to Oakham, must forfeit a horseshoe to the lord of the manor. The custom has been followed for at least 500 years, and it probably originated soon after the Norman Conquest 1066. The oldest surviving horseshoe is probably the large elaborately wrought horseshoe headed by a plain shield put up by Edward IV in about 1470. The most recent were given by HRH The Princess Royal in 1999, HRH Price Charles in 2003 and Princess Alexandra in 2005.

The Castle makes a splendid venue for civl marriage and civil partnership ceremonies.

 

Opening Times
(2007 times)
Monday to Saturday 10.30am to 5.00pm, (closed 1.00 to 1.30pm forlunch)
Sunday 2.00pm to 4.00pm (all year round)
Closed also on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day and Good Friday.

Admission Charges
(2007 prices)
Admission free

Directions
Show map of Oakham Castle...

Nearby Attractions
Barnsdale Gardens (3 Miles)*
The Barnsdale Gardens familiar to millions of BBC2 viewers as the home of Geoff Hamilton and Gardeners World is open every day. The gardens comprise 37 individual gardens and features that all blend together by linking borders into one 8 acre garden.
Melton Carnegie Museum (9 Miles)*
This exciting newly refurbished museum contains informative and innovative displays.
Burghley House (11 Miles)*
Burghley house is the largest and grandest of the first Elizabethan Age. Built and mostly designed by William Cecil, Lord High Treasurer of England, between 1565 and 1587, the house is a family home for his descendants to this day.
more nearby attractions...
* Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

Nearby Hotels
Whipper-In Hotel (< 1 Mile)*
The Whipper-In was a coaching inn in the 17th Century, and is renowned for its warm and welcoming atmosphere. The hotel is a building of immense charm and character, the ancient oak beams complement the rich fabrics in warm hues.
Travelodge (Travel Lodge) Grantham South Witham (9 Miles)*
Located on the A1 northbound, 13 miles south of Grantham and 9 miles north of Stamford roundabout, the Travelodge Grantham South Witham provides contemporary quality accommodation and an ideal base for exploring the Lincolnshire countryside.
Elizabeth Rockingham (12 Miles)*
The Elizabeth Rockingham is located opposite the magnificent Rockingham Castle, built by William the Conqueror.
more nearby hotels...
* Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

Nearby Self Catering
Gardener's Cottage (10 Miles)*
Gardener's Cottage is a recently renovated stone cottage in a rural 17th Century village. The cottage garden backs onto rolling fields.
The Bothy (11 Miles)*
In 2006, after being neglected for many years, the renovation of the old farm workers cottage called the Bothy was completed. Complete with underfloor heating it has been renovated to provide high quality self-contained luxury accommodation
Vale Cottage (17 Miles)*
Vale Cottage is one of the oldest properties in the picturesque village of Redmile. Facing due east, over looking a farmyard entrance it enjoys morning sunshine and after midday, in the back garden.
Your property could be here
Advertising your self catering property or holiday cottage on AboutBritain.com will get you noticed by thousands of potential guests every day.
more nearby self catering...
* Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

Popular Pages

Tourist Information Centres | Estate Agents

Holiday Cottages in England | Holiday Cottages in Scotland

Alton Towers Hotels | Blackpool Hotels | Travel Lodge | Cardiff Hotels

Brighton Hotels | Marriot Hotels | Newcastle Hotels | Bournemouth Hotels

 Copyright © 1999-2008 Excelsior Information Systems Limited. All rights reserved.
Press Room  Terms of Use  Privacy  Link to Us  Self-Catering Advertising  Index  Site Map