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Open Spaces and Heritage

Oakham is the County Town of Rutland set in a picturesque rural environment. Did you know that in Oakham alone there are over 150 listed buildings and areas? Recently, the medieval Castle and grounds have been renovated and are open daily to visitors.  Although the canal from Melton Mowbray ceased to be used in the 1840's, there is still part of it either side of the bypass and the original covered wharf is now part of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre at Oakham School. More information about the history of Oakham can be found here.

 

Places of interest in Oakham

Cutt’s Close

 

This is a recreation ground in the centre of the town, north of the Old School and Church with a fine bandstand where concerts are given in summertime. In the past it was the outer bailey of Oakham Castle and the site of the moat and fishponds can still be seen beyond the castle walls.

 

Oakham Castle

 

Built 1180-90, today's castle is the recently-refurbished Great Hall surviving from a complex of buildings on the site. Its collection of ornamental horseshoes donated by royalty and nobility dates from 1470 to the present day. The Castle functions as a court house and is a venue for weddings and cultural events.  For more information please visit https://oakhamcastle.wordpress.com/

 

Oakham’s Listed Buildings

 

A listed building is one which may not be demolished or altered in any way unless special permission has been granted from the local authority.  There are many listed building in Oakham mainly found in the town centre and listed in three grades.  The centre pf the town is also a conservation area.  For more information please visit:- http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/england/rutland/oakham#.WCyN6aKLSuU

 

Oakham Heritage Trail

 

Oakham is a classic English market town and the Heritage Trail brochure invites visitors to take a ‘walking tour’ to find places and buildings of interest in Rutland’s County Town.   These include the Castle, Oakham Signal Box, Hudson’s Cottage, Dean’s Street and the Rutland County Museum.  For more information please visit:- 

www.discover-rutland.co.uk/xsdbimgs/PDF's/OakhamHeritageTrail.pdf

 

Rutland County Museum

 

The County Museum and Visitor Centre is the perfect introduction to England’s smallest county – ‘much from little’. The displays tell the story of the county, and are complemented by exhibits of archaeology, history and rural life.  A real ‘treasure from the County’s past’.  The Museum also doubles as Oakham’s cinema.  For more information please visit:- 

http://www.rutland.gov.uk/rutland_county_museum.aspx

 

Melton to Oakham Canal

 

Opened in 1802 the Oakham canal formed a vital trade link between the town and the rest of the country until its closure in 1847. Much of the canal remains between the north of Oakham and the county boundary and offers the potential for a wide range of leisure uses. For more information please visit:- http://gwwvyd.xara.hosting/meltonoakhamww/

Heritage

There are many heritage buildings in Oakham, the Castle, Buttercross for example, as well as houses (Flores being the oldest), shops, monuments, pubs and of course the Signal Box .  Some are in private hands, others in public use. Some could be used more often or for a wider variety of uses. Your thoughts on this would be most welcome.  

What new or existing buildings, places or views would you and your family like to see better promoted, protected or developed within the NP area?

Open Spaces

Oakham and Barleythorpe are surrounded by agricultural land made up of pasture and arable cultivation. Cutts Close near the Castle is the town's main public Park along with Royce's Recreational Ground and there are smaller recreational grounds within the Oakham housing estates. Very little open space is evident in the housing around Barleythorpe.
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Did you know that The Viking Way from the Humber Bridge ends in Oakham? The MacMillan Way, Hereward Way and Rutland Round all pass through Oakham too.
How do you and your family and friends like to spend your leisure time most within the Neighbourhood Plan area or do you go further afield?
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How well are local footpaths and public rights of way signposted and maintained?
Oakham Butter Cross
Oakham Castle

Map showing the allocation of open spaces in Oakham

Click map to preview

Your Views on Heritage and Open spaces  from the first engagement meeting held on the 9th March at Victoria Hall.  

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  • Children’s areas (4)

  • Conserve / protect the Oakham Canal and heritage features of the former Oakham Wharf

  • Conserve and promote the town    

  • Green spaces to match development of town.    

  • Growing town needs more community space and buildings especially new estates 

  • Have something to see    

  • Keep green spaces to east of by-pass!    

  • Look at adequacy of seats in the various public open spaces.    

  • Make more of the Heritage Trail    

  • More green spaces     

  • More parks (3)

  • More space to play football informally.    

  • Must retain green spaces and provide more green spaces around new estates. Relaxation/play is important!

  • Promote the castle more    

  • Protect our allotments.    

  • Protect our green spaces.    

  • Retain existing allotments to preserve the health and welfare of the over 60's.    

  • Space for teenagers.    

  • Stop building on green spaces in town.    

  • There are not enough open spaces/areas for young boys in the local football team to meet and play football (with goals). Princess Avenue tends to attract older children – there is nothing else! Oakham School owns a lot of the town with facilities, i.e. astro, etc. Can these not be shared with local children?    

  • Where do the children play?    

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