Set by Rutland Water, on the Hambleton peninsula, the Finch’s Arms is a 17th-century country inn…
Barnsdale Gardens
“Rutland gardens made famous by TV show” - VisitEngland Assessor
Oakham, Rutland
Our View
Barnsdale Gardens was created in the early 1980s by Gardeners’ World presenter and organic pioneer Geoff Hamilton. Now run by his son, the eight-acre site includes Britain’s largest collection of individually designed gardens – 38 of them, from The Woodland Walk to the Fruit Orchard – as well as an award-winning nursery and tea room.
Awards, accolades & Welcome Schemes
Features
Also in the area
About the area
Discover Rutland
Measuring less than 20 miles (32.4 km) across, Rutland has a resident population of around 37,000, and apart from Oakham and Uppingham most of its inhabitants live in tiny villages and hamlets like Exton.
The county’s name possibly derives from the 11th-century word ‘Roteland’, denoting the red colour of the soil in the east of the region; or it could have been part of the estate belonging to an early landowner called Rota. Whatever the origin of the name, one thing is certain, and that is that this tiny county has had a complicated history. The modern bit starts in 1974 when it was dissolved into Leicestershire. After more than 20 years of protest by unrepentant Rutlanders the county was happily reinstated in 1997.
The major tourist draw of Rutland was created in 1975, and is Rutland Water, a body of water which, at 5,000 acres, is the largest man-made reservoir in Europe. As well as a mass of wildlife and water pursuits such as windsurfing and sailing, Rutland Water also has its own church, which is now a museum, sitting on an outcrop that juts out into reservoir.
Nearby stays
Places to Stay
Dining nearby
Restaurants and Pubs
Why choose Rated Trips?
Your trusted guide to rated places across the UK
The best coverage
Discover more than 15,000 professionally rated places to stay, eat and visit from across the UK and Ireland.
Quality assured
Choose a place to stay safe in the knowledge that it has been expertly assessed by trained assessors.
Plan your next trip
Search by location or the type of place you're visiting to find your next ideal holiday experience.
Travel inspiration
Read our articles, city guides and recommended things to do for inspiration. We're here to help you explore the UK.