The Old Telegraph and Post Office cottage, featured in Conde Nast 20 Best Villages in the UK and Starfish, the movie is in the village of Hambleton on a peninsula in the middle of Rutland Water, one of Europe's largest reservoirs. Hambleton is probably one of the nicest village locations in England. There are 3 reception rooms and a kitchen and 3 bedrooms, two king size beds and a third bedroom with single bed with pull out bed underneath and a good-sized kitchen with table and brand new kitchen units by Neptune and a newly renovated bathroom with marble tiles with freestanding bath and overhead shower. There is a downstairs loo and log burner in one sittingroom and an open fireplace in the other sittingroom. The entrance hallway has a dining table. The cottage is a opposite the pub, The Finchs which is like a restaurant. Items provided: shower gel and soap provided. Most of the time I provide bread, milk, eggs, butter and a small jar of marmalade time permitting inbetween bookings and dependent on repairs and cleaning issues/ spillages to sort out.
Hambleton village has an excellent pub called The Finches with terrace overlooking the lake. Hambleton Hall, a Michelin starred hotel is also in the village. There is a cycling path around the lake and the Hambleton pensinsula. Fly fishing and sailing is also available on the lake. Oakham is 2 miles away providing a selection of restaurants and pubs and shopping facilities and Uppingham is 5 miles away and the larger Georgian and Medieval town of Stamford is around 10 miles away. The Finches pub has an excellent NEW YEAR party and so does Hambleton Hall. .
There are a variety of activities nearby. The lake has various activity centres including bird watching ( Osprey nest on the lake) and canoeing and windsurfing as well as open water swimming. Rutland Sailing club is nearby. There is a golf course overlooking the lake, falconry centre, horseriding, picnicing areas. Rutland water is one of the best fly fishing lakes in Europe.
The Old Telegraph and Post Office is fairly newly renovated to a high standard.
Rutland is England's smallest County around 90 miles from London. It is like a small Cotswolds. Hambleton can be reached by rail via Peterborough ( 45 minutes from Kings Cross) to Oakham (25 mins) with a connecting train. Journey time around 1.5hrs. Oakham is 2 miles from Hambleton. Alternatively Rutland can be reached from the A1 turnoff at Peterborough ( 2-2.5 hours from London) Corby station is also only 14 miles away and trains are 1hr 10 from St Pancras.
Hambleton Bakery is nearby owned by Hambleton Hall. It won Britain's best bakery and is open 7 days a week.( Located near Exton in a copse) Exton also has a lovely pub. You can get fresh bread and various types of British tarts and buns from Hambleton Bakery. It serves many of the hotels and pubs in the area.
Oakham, 2 miles away has a deli in the High st called Otters as well as a few lovely shops including Cavells, a small department store selling designer clothes and there is a large Tesco. Cooperative supermarket is a short drive away as is a drive-in M&S.There is also an Aldi amd Lidl. The Barn is a lovely small restaurant in the town and Fika in Mill st does good brunch. . There are several other cafes and restaurants. Stamford around 10 miles away has a broader selection of shops and The George Coaching Inn is recommended for food. Burghley House nearby hosts a selection of events all year. There is more than enough to do for a week holiday in the area.
Oakham castle is in the town of Oakham surrounded by the old moat and inside Oakham Castle is a selection of large horse shoes including one recently donated by Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall. Rockingham castle is around 14 miles away, Belvoir castle is 40 minute drive and Greetham Castle is nearby. The National Space centre in Leicester is excellent. There is a small art deco cinema in Melton. Gates garden centre is award winning and Rutland water garden centre is opening a new cafe. Stapleford Park Hotel does good afternoon tea and falconry experiences.
Another excellent pub is located in Clipsham called the Olive Branch. I would also recommend the Kings head in Wing, and the Fox and Hounds in Knossington. Sarpech , the Indian restaurant is very good in Oakham.
