About Rutland County Council

A great place to live, work and spend time

An idyllic, rural destination offering a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. England’s smallest county is a relatively hidden gem in the East Midlands.

Quietly nestling in the quiet English countryside, Rutland has much to share with you; not least, fantastic Rutland Water, an array of unspoilt villages and two attractive market towns packed with charm.

Rich in history and full of character, come and discover the delights of this special place; where you will receive a warm welcome and be enchanted by a decidedly English way of life.

Rutland offers a taste of traditional England, undiscovered by many and treasured by a lucky few.

The origin of the name Rutland is controversial and hotly debated. Some say it is named after a local landowner called Rota who owned a large estate in the area. Others say that the name stems from the rich red colour of the soil which is found here, and that, over time the name became Rutland. Unfortunately, it looks set to remain a mystery, as there is no conclusive evidence to prove one story or the other.

From 1974 until 1997, Rutland was part of Leicestershire. However it is now a proudly independent county and in 2007 celebrated a decade of independence.

To this day, Rutland remains one of the most charming, proud and attractive rural counties in England.

For more information Discover Rutland is the tourism brand created by Rutland County Council.

The official tourism website can be found at http://www.discover-rutland.co.uk/.

For key statistics about Rutland please visit the Rural Services Network.