Colin Crosby Heritage Tours

Oakham (A Guided Walk in Oakham)

"Oakham" is a Guided Walk devised and led by the well-known Leicester - based Blue Badge Guide Colin Crosby, of Colin Crosby Heritage Tours, who leads walks and Coach Trips throughout the year.

These strolls are a most enjoyable way of soaking up some Local History.

Oakham is the historic county town of the tiny county of Rutland.

The walk starts outside the Public Library, on the edge of the Town Centre, just past the end of the High Street.

During the walk, Colin will be pointing out many places of interest.

Oakham Castle has a celebrated collection of giant horseshoes, traditionally given by visiting peers of the realm. The oldest of these was given by Edward IV (the elder brother of Richard III), the most flamboyant by the Prince Regent (later George IV) and the most recent by Princess Anne.

The Market Place is in two parts - the rectangular part established by the Lord of the Manor and the triangular part started by the Church. The market is still a flourishing institution.

The Butter Cross is an intricate timber construction, and contains a curious set of stocks with five holes.

By the railway station, which is still in use on the line from Leicester and Melton Mowbray to Stamford and Peterborough, is a signal box which was used as the model for the ones in the Hornby sets.

In the High Street is the cottage where Jeffrey Hudson was born. Famous as the Rutland Dwarf, he led an eventful life, during which he was a favourite at court, was captured by pirates and fought duels.

Also born in Oakham was Titus Oates, the inventor of the notorious Popish Plot.

Dates, costs and where to meet

A place on 'Oakham' costs £5.00 per person, or £4.00 if paying in advance. The guided walk begins at Public Library, and is running on:

I'm sorry, but there are no plans to run this event at present.

If you would like to book a place on one of these dates, please telephone Colin on (0116) 2611576 or email him at colin@crosbyheritage.co.uk.