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Oakham, Rutland: Town Centre (2009)


"Oakham, Rutland" - ManAboutTowns on YouTube


Enjoy a video of a drive through the centre of town in January 2009.


Oakham is the historic county town of Rutland, which holds the title of the smallest historic county in England. It is a quintessential English market town, characterized by its limestone buildings, independent boutiques, and a deep-seated sense of heritage that dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086.

A Glimpse into Oakham

The Horseshoe Tradition

Oakham Castle is famous for its collection of over 200 ceremonial horseshoes. Since the 12th century, it has been a custom for any Peer of the Realm (royalty or nobility) passing through the town to forfeit a horseshoe to the Lord of the Manor.

Market Life

The town remains a bustling commercial hub, with traditional markets held every Wednesday and Saturday in the Market Place, continuing a centuries-old tradition.

Education

It is home to Oakham School, a prestigious co-educational independent school founded in 1584, which occupies a significant portion of the town center.

Nature and Leisure

Located just a few minutes away is Rutland Water, one of Europe’s largest man-made reservoirs, famous for its cycling trails and its successful Osprey reintroduction program.


Oakham in 2009: A Year of Incident and Change

Infrastructure and Environment

  • The Bypass Impact: While the Oakham Bypass had opened a few years prior (January 2007), 2009 saw the town truly beginning to adapt to its new traffic flow. In early 2009, ecological surveys were conducted around the bypass and the town’s southern and eastern borders to plan for future housing growth and biodiversity protection.

  • Housing Growth: The "Local Development Framework" was in full swing during 2009, identifying the fields around the town for the expansion that led to the modern housing estates seen today.

Cultural Highlights

  • The "Tent" Macbeth: In November 2009, Oakham School’s drama department performed a highly innovative production of Macbeth. Instead of using the school theatre, they staged it in a large tent in the quad during a period of heavy rain and wind, which locals and students remembered as perfectly suiting the "dark and bloody" atmosphere of the play.

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Location: Oakham LE15, UK

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