Rutland's popular annual Walking and Cycling Festival is back and ready to welcome residents and visitors alike, to explore all of what Rutland has to offer on foot or by bike. 

The festival takes place over two activity packed weeks from Saturday 20th May to Friday 2nd June and celebrates the many ways that you can get active through walking and cycling.

Organised by Rutland County Council, the festival also offers a chance to meet local clubs and groups, discover new routes around the County and see how walking and cycling can improve your health and well-being.

Normanton Church. Image credit: Nub News.

Rutland County Council's Active Rutland Officer, Danielle Adams, said: "Rutland has some of the most beautiful countryside around and the Walking and Cycling Festival celebrates this, whilst encouraging everyone, young and old, to explore the area. Not only will the activities on offer showcase Rutland but they also celebrate the benefits walking and cycling have on both our physical and mental health.'

The two-week festival includes something for everyone. You can take part in country walks, historic guided walks, cycling, information drop-in sessions and more. All sessions must be booked. 

Rutland Round: Saturday 20 May – Thursday 25 May 2023

The Rutland Round kick starts the first week of the Walking and Cycling Festival and is a 65 mile circular route around the perimeter of the county, with its start and finish in Oakham. The led walk will be split over 6 days – you can book to walk as many sections as you like or take the challenge and complete the full route.

Find out more here.

Rutland County Museum. Image credit: Nub News.

Oakham Guided Tour: Friday 26 May at 11am

Join the team for a guided tour of Oakham, starting from Rutland County Museum and finishing at Oakham Castle. Enjoy a journey around the town with some of its history, the buildings, characters that lived there, architecture and quirky stories about the town.

Cost: £7.50

Distance: 2 miles

Meeting Point: Rutland County Museum, Oakham, LE15 6HW

Stamford Club Ride: Sunday 28 May at 9am

The Cyclists of Stamford Club Ride: Take part in a dedicated 18-mile bike ride around Rutland with a half way coffee stop in Uppingham along the way. Starting and finishing at Rutland Water Normanton Car Park. Bring your own bike or hire one through Specialized. Tandem rides available for visually impaired riders and opportunities to join other group rides.

Distance: 18 miles

Meeting Point: Rutland Water Normanton Car Park, Edith Weston, LE15 8HD

The Oakham Canal has been renovated by the Oakham Canal Green Corridor Project team. Image credit: Nub News.

Oakham Canal Walk: Tuesday 30 May 10am

Join a 5-mile loop of the canal from the centre of Oakham and learn all about the fascinating history and future of this beautiful waterway along the way. Suitable for ages 5 and up, 8- person limit and unsuitable for pushchairs, wheelchairs, and dogs. Free to attend however donations are welcome to the Oakham Canal Green Corridor Project on the day.

Distance: 5 miles

Meeting Point: Church Street Car Park, Oakham, LE15 6AA

Launde Abbey Walk: Thursday 1 June 10am

Come along for a 4-mile loop around the countryside and rolling hills of Launde Abbey. Learn about some of the places we pass through along the way. Suitable for ages 5 and up, dogs are welcome, unsuitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs.

Distance: 4 miles

Meeting Point: Launde Abbey, East Norton, LE7 9XB

Join the team for a leisurely walk or bigger challenge. Image credit: Rutland Nordic Walking.

Many of these events are free, and most walks are dog friendly. The team simply ask that animals are kept on leads. Please call 01572 720936 to check.

For more information about the festival, including a full programme of activities, or to book on to any of the walks and activities, head online.   

Alternatively, you can contact a member of the Active Rutland Team by emailing: [email protected] or calling: 01572 720 936. 

For regular updates about activities running during the festival, please follow Active Rutland on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.