Originally called Empingham Reservoir, the lake came into being since the late nineteenth century to provide water for an ever-increasing population. Lying near Oakham in the county of Rutland, the reservoir was completed in 1977 and is one of the largest artificial lakes in Europe.

…local home-grown, home-made produce…

…and what better way to see the lake than to take a cruise on the Rutland Belle…

I was also delighted to learn that there are several wildlife trusts set up in the park, including one to support the endangered osprey population.

~ Bella

Another of the places I have wanted to see for such a long time – the room full of horseshoes at Oakham Castle, collected over 500 years.

According to custom, whenever a peer of the realm visits Oakham for the first time, they must present a horseshoe to the lord of the manor of Oakham. The oldest surviving horseshoe was given to the Castle by Edward IV in 1470 – and although mostly from England, I did find a couple of Scottish horseshoes.

I also particularly liked the 12th century carved musicians at the tops of the columns – even though they have lost their heads…  oh dear…  🙂

…and while it might not look like it, this is Oakham Castle!

…and such a pretty little village…

~ Bella

Another lovely day for a drive, and this time I went in search of the Grand Union Canal…

 

Perfect place to sit under the shade of an umbrella and have lunch…

…and watch the world float by…

On my way back from the Milton Keynes Museum, I discovered Bradwell Abbey.

“Bradwell Abbey is the site and remains of a medieval Benedictine Priory and is a Scheduled Ancient Monument (no.19062). Nationally it is significant because it contains the greater part of the medieval precinct of a priory, a relatively unusual survival, with a rare standing building – a dedicated pilgrimage chapel with a scheme of stunning contemporary wall paintings.

Locally it is important because it is one of a number of historic sites in and around Milton Keynes that provide major insights into the medieval history of the area and it is an important local wildlife site. The site has a strong historic identity, providing a potential focus in the development of a sense of place for the community of Milton Keynes.” (from the Milton Keynes City Discovery Centre website).

…but unfortunately it was closed for repairs…

…so I headed off in search of an old pub for some lunch and discovered The Swan Inn – a beautiful 13th century, thatched-roof inn…

…but it was closed for renovation as well…  Oh, well…  🙂

I do love the sign!

~ Bella

Houghton House today is the shell of a 17th-century mansion commanding magnificent views, reputedly the inspiration for the ‘House Beautiful’ in John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress.

It was built around 1615 for Mary, Dowager Countess of Pembroke, in a mixture of Jacobean and Classical styles: the ground floors of two Italianate loggias survive, possibly the work of Inigo Jones.

Unfortunately the car park only has room for about four or five cars and as it was full and there is no where else to park, unfortunately I was not able to explore the ruins, but thankfully have a massive zoom lens on my camera…

I love old clocks and so have been wanting to go to this museum for such a long time BUT it is only open for five months of the year, only on Fridays, and only between 11:00am and 3:00pm – and given that it is a six-hour drive from my little piece of Heaven in Scotland, the opportunities were slim indeed…

However, on this trip I decided to finally arrange things so I could visit this glorious museum – and I was not disappointed.

~ Bella