Discover Rutland has shared the annual food, drink and shopping map ahead of Christmas, offering some top spots across the county to indulge with friends and family.

Each year, the team at Discover Rutland share an updated map of places across the county to shop, eat and enjoy, and this year is no exception, with a bursting directory of top local spots now available to the public.

A spokesperson for Discover Rutland said: "Rutland is a county bursting with flavour! The variety and quality of produce made in this area is astonishing. This map highlights places to eat, drink and shop, as well as local producers. Some places on the map are not open to the public, but those listed in the places to shop and places to eat will give you a warm welcome. Download the map here."

The team included some top local farm shops, supporting Rutland and Melton MP's push to shop local and support British farmers.

Discover Rutland's best places to cut down on your 'field to fork' food miles include:

• Farmer Lou - A small building on the yard providing big flavours from their farm-reared meats, farmhouse pies, artisan burgers, craft sausages, award winning cheese, fresh produce and more. LE15 8AH
• Gates Farm Shop - Located on the same site as their popular garden centre, the extensive farm shop aims to provide a true foodie shopping experience, with a butchery, dairy & deli counter, confectionary, small batch frozen meal options and extensive refill station full of pantry essentials. LE15 7QB
• New LodgeFarm Shop & Restaurant - More than local honey, eggs and meat, peruse the extensive larder selection with freshly baked goods and some local homeware, gifts and alcohol. The family farm also offers a restaurant, touring site and glamping. NN17 3DU
• Northfield Farm Shop - Traditional artisan butchery with a passion for supporting the rearing of rare and traditional breeds. With award-winning meat available, from burgers to their own cured and cooked salt-beef and dry cure bacon, alongside cheese, food cupboard goodies and more. Self-catering retreats available. LE15 7QF

The team have also supported the #ShopRutland initiative, suggesting the best places to get your Christmas shopping done:

Oakham

Walk around the town and discover butchers, bakers, and pork pie makers. Head to Oakham Wines near the Market Place for the best tipples, the award winning Hambleton Bakery on Goal Street and the delicious Otters Fine Foods deli on the High Street, stocking a plethora of local produce such as Rutland Rapeseed Oil. Don't forget our very own brewery pub, The Grainstore Brewery Tap on Station Approach.

Market Day: Wednesday and Saturday, with a Farmers Market on Gaol Street every third Saturday.

Uppingham

Soak up the charms of this quaint little town with a host of tempting places to eat dispersed between the family run butchers, Baines Bakery and the foodies treasure troves of Uppingham Fine Food and The Uppingham Cellar on High Street East.

Market Day: Friday

County wide

Enjoy a tour of the county whilst picking up the best bits for your kitchen table. The Food Market at Rutland Garden Village has a great range in stock, plus an ingenious initiative of selling local growers glut, so you never quite know what will be on those shelves!

Bat & Bottle Wine Merchants at Oakham Enterprise Park are Rutland's specialist importers of Italian wine and have won awards for their Wine Club, online shop and by being the best at what they do!

The Herb Nursery is a small family-run nursery specialising in herbs to satisfy all kitchen-garden goals. Book a goat walk at Ganders Goat Farm where they make soap and ice cream from goat milk.

The Discover Rutland team have also suggested local producers stocking the best in local food and drinks:

• Mallard Point Vineyard & Distillery – producing award winning Gin and local wines
• The Rutland Vineyard – enjoy the magnificent views from their refreshment barn
• Hambleton Bakery – award winning specialists in honest slow bread and goodies
• Baines Bakery – an Uppingham landmark on High Street West
• Ferneley's Ice Cream – see where it's made and the cows in the surrounding fields
• Jimmy's Smokehouse – curing fish and meat for The Kings Arms kitchen and shop
• Ganders Goat Ice Cream – you can book a goat walking experience too!
• Multum Gin Parvo – with flavours inspired by local stories and produce

Finally, there are two suggested cycle trails as part of this map:

The Northern Route begins at Rutland Garden Village and covers 24 road miles, with a shorter 14 mile option.

The Southern Route begins at Normanton Car Park and covers 23.7 road miles.

Find out more about Discover Rutland online.