Skip the Cotswolds: East Midlands’ Best-Kept Lakeside Secret—Rutland Hall Hotel & Spa

Rutland, England’s smallest county in the East Midlands, hides one of its best-kept secrets on the shores of Rutland Water: a former hunting lodge turned refined hotel and spa. Just under two hours north of London by train or car, the Rutland Hall Hotel and Spa offered the perfect three-night escape. Whether visiting from abroad or taking a spontaneous getaway, you are worlds away from the hustle of big-city life. 

English Country Life

Rutland Hall was originally commissioned in 1890 for the 6th Earl Fitzwilliam as a hunting lodge.  The Earl hosted royalty, including Edward, Duke of Windsor, and Mrs. Simpson, and other fox-hunting aristocracy. After its transformation from Barnsdale Hall into a hotel in the 1990s and significant renovations in 2020, the property now combines historic elegance with modern spa amenities, a beautiful restaurant, and private lodges spread over 70 acres. 

The property offers a range of accommodations, from elegant suites in the Main Hall to self-catering lodges and spacious multi-bedroom apartments. Guests can enjoy a well-equipped air-conditioned gym, a 22-meter heated indoor pool, and banquet facilities.

The grounds deliver the quintessential English country life with walking paths and trails leading directly to Rutland Water, created by damming the Gwash Valley in the mid-1970s. This reservoir flooded two villages to supply water to eastern England, forming a lake now ringed by a 1,000-acre nature reserve.

Accommodations and Room Features

I was lucky to snag a one-bedroom self-catering apartment located in the converted Stable Mews. It offered a small but fully equipped kitchen, a lounge area, a dining space, and lovely views over the grounds or courtyard. One of the biggest bonuses is that this unit had a washer, so I was able to do some laundry while here!  It was modern, very comfortable, and very quiet.

There were other units on either side, providing the perfect accommodation for families while being pet-friendly. There are also two-bedroom options, making this ideal for large groups or a girls’ getaway. The bathroom was large and had a deep tub that I used every night. As I was under the weather, the staff was kind enough to bring me breakfast one morning when I was unable to walk up to the restaurant—I am forever grateful for this!

My friend and her son joined me for an overnight stay in the Uppingham building. They had a ground-floor accessible room, which is wheelchair-friendly within a 20 m² space. Their room featured barrier-free access and the usual hotel amenities. Of note: Resort buggy (golf cart) service helps with transport around the estate.

There are also larger options. Cottesmore Lodge is a detached timber lodge sleeping six, featuring an en‑suite double and twin room plus a family bathroom on the ground level and a second twin upstairs. The fully equipped kitchen flows into a comfortable lounge, all opening onto a balcony with sweeping views across the grounds overlooking the lake. These are also  pet-friendly units.

Amenities and Wellness Spa

This property came recommended to me by a friend who lives in a nearby village. Through the years, she has taken ‘staycations’ with her son because the hotel has a wonderful leisure centre with a heated indoor pool, spa treatments, a sauna, and a steam room. Additional amenities include squash and badminton courts, a crazy golf course, and a 9-hole pitch & putt, with e-bike rentals available nearby for exploring the beautiful grounds.

Located on Rutland Water’s shores, Rutland Hall Hotel and Spa serves as an ideal base for walking, cycling, running, water sports, birdwatching, and more. Just a couple of miles from Rutland Hall, Rutland Water’s inland beach offers casual paddle sessions. For more adventure, the nearby sports centre provides kayaks, canoes, rowboats, and additional watersports options. Check in with the Leisure Team for more information about these off-site activities.

Dining: Blossoms Restaurant

Modern and beautifully decorated, Blossom Restaurant and Bar is perched at the top of the hill. You can walk or request a resort buggy to pick you up for the ride up. This large restaurant has a comfortable lounge area for cocktails or desserts, as well as comfortable booth tables. Take-out service is available if you don’t want to cook!

We enjoyed a lovely breakfast buffet and a casual dinner. The breakfast had a large variety of choices. You may want to make reservations for the Sunday Lunch, with locally sourced beef, pork, and poultry, served with Yorkshire pudding, seasonal vegetables, and cauliflower cheese. There is an all-day menu, a dessert menu, and an afternoon tea menu.

We also enjoyed stopping in at the Waterside Cafe at Normanton, the Orangery Restaurant at Burghley House and loved the best scones at Hambleton Bakery in Stamford.

Why Visit County Rutland Water?

Many people know and love the Cotswolds, but it has become overrun with tourists. Many can find the charms of the English countryside with fewer people in the East Midlands. Rutland County boasts historic market towns and picturesque villages clustered around Rutland Water. Oakham, the county town, features a 12th-century castle with its unique tradition of shoeing horses for visiting peers and a large 14th-century church.

Stamford, 16 km east across the Leicestershire border, showcases Georgian architecture often used in film locations (Downton Abbey and Pride and Prejudice). Normanton village largely vanished under the reservoir, leaving only the iconic church tower on a promontory. Still worth a walk and a stop at the cafe. 

Barnsdale Gardens, just outside of Exton near Rutland Hall, spans 87 acres with 23 distinct gardens created since 1987. Burghley House, 15 km southeast of Stamford, is a grand Elizabethan mansion completed in 1587 with extensive state apartments and gardens.

Overall Recommendation

I truly enjoyed my short vacation at the Rutland Hall Hotel & Spa. At that point, I had been travelling non-stop for over three weeks in Ireland, Scotland, and London, and I was both sick and tired. The staff at the Rutland Hall were wonderful in accommodating my needs and making me feel at home in the Stable Mews one-bedroom unit. It had plenty of room, a great small kitchen where I could warm up some soup and soak in a large, hot bath.

The area is full of very special villages and towns that are just a few hours away from London. It was easy to get to from the train station. I was able to continue my solo travels to Cambridge and then back to London. I would recommend this location for a romantic couple’s or girls’ weekend. There is no question, I will return with my husband. Rutland Hall’s blend of heritage elegance, lakeside calm, and leisure amenities makes the East Midlands a worthy alternative to the over-touristed Cotswolds.

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