Great British Walks - Hambleton Peninsula Walk, Rutland

  Where to go camping

Nestling in the heart of England’s smallest county, Rutland Water is known as the playground of the East Midlands, with a huge range of outdoor activities on offer, including water sports, cycling, nature reserves, an outdoor adventure centre and superb walking.

In fact you can walk the entire 25-mile circumference of the reservoir, but this circular route around a peninsula jutting out into the water is much more manageable.

Follow this guide to plan your walk. We've included details on how long it should take you to complete, where to park, and some places to stop for food and drink along the way.

We've also included a recommendation of where to stay if you're looking to book a pitch nearby and spend more time in this area.

Route Description

Picture courtesy Michael Livsey/flickr

Until construction work on Rutland Water began, Upper Hambleton stood on high ground surrounded by countryside.

By the time the official opening arrived in 1976, the surrounding valleys had been gradually flooded, and the village found itself sitting on a peninsula, connected to the “mainland” by a narrow strip of land.

The fisherman’s walk is an easy to navigate route with constantly changing views across the reservoir the whole way round.

The total distance covered is around five miles, and it offers splendid views of lake and landscape and lots of wildlife.

It starts at St Andrew’s Church in the centre of the village where there is limited on-street parking. Be considerate and do not block residents’ access, especially on busy days. Pass the Finch’s Arms pub on the Oakham road.

After around 250 yards follow the signs and take the path on the right, between hedgerows heading downhill. At the end of the path, cross a muddy sheep pasture then follow the stone track alongside the water until you reach the Armley Wood.

Follow the path through the woods then rejoin the stone track, winding its way along the southern shore of the peninsula.

Pass through Hambleton Wood then follow the lane along the shore past the Old Hall on the water’s edge.

Beyond the hall, you’ll pass a few properties before finding yourself on a gently rising path that takes you into the village and back to the church where you began.

The Finch’s Arms pub is handy for refreshment on the way home – the perfect end to a lovely walk.

Picture courtesy Tor-Gordon/flickr

PLAN YOUR WALK

Route A circular walk around the shore of Hambleton Peninsula, a chunk of land that protrudes into Rutland Water

Distance 5 miles

Time 2 hours

Terrain Well-maintained paths, mostly flat but with a couple of steady climbs

Difficulty Easy

Parking Limited on-street parking available in Upper Hambleton

FURTHER INFORMATION

discover-rutland.co.uk

rutlandwater.org.uk

MUST SEE

The Jacobean farmhouse now known as the Old Hall was built in 1611 and is the only part of Middle Hambleton that still remains. It now stands on the edge of the lake but before the land was flooded it would have had a prominent position overlooking the valleys.

FOOD AND DRINK

The Finch’s Arms, Upper Hambleton
finchsarms.co.uk

WHERE TO STAY

RUTLAND CARAVAN & CAMPING

A pretty caravan park to a high specification with a new indoor swimming pool and luxury lodges, surrounded by well-planted banks to provide good screening. The spacious site is close to the Viking Way and central to many market towns and villages. A golf club is also nearby. The caravan and camping site is open all year round

and offers both hardstanding and grass pitches. Refurbished adults-only toilet facilities with privacy rooms. Rutland Water is close by where walking, cycling and watersports abound.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Open all year, indoor pool, adults only & family areas.

LOCATION
Greetham, Oakham LE15 7FN

OPEN ALL YEAR
Price from £23 for 2 adult pitch and electric hook up to £30.90 in the high season.

EAT & DRINK
Greetham is a five-minute walk from Rutland Caravan & Camping and offers two pubs and a post office.

FACILITIES
• Parking by pitches
• Electric hook ups
• Showers
• Washing machine facilites
• Wheelchair-friendly facilities
• WiFi available
• Motorhome waste empty point
• Accepts tents, caravans and motorhomes

FOR MORE INFORMATION
01572 813520
rutlandcaravanandcamping.co.uk
[email protected]

Picture courtesy Tor-Gordon/flickr

If you have a love of the great outdoors and love exploring the beautiful countryside of the UK - and beyond - we have a magazine for you. Our range of outdoor leisure magazines include this selection. There are helpful links to the digital issues of each magazine so you can read more about the content:

MMM - Britain's best-selling motorhome magazine

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Also, check out our Campsite Finder guide, which has over 200 pages of campsite listings in the UK and Europe.

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