Perfectly placed at the centre of England, the Notswolds is where a timeless rural heritage meets modern life. From handsome country homes and leafy village greens, to vibrant market towns and celebrated schools, this is a region offering the rare luxury of both quality, and the time and space to enjoy it. And yet, with London is just an hour away by train and equally well connected across the midlands and to the North, it’s a place to slow down, without stepping out of the world.

A New Chapter in English Country Living

Here in the heartland of the country lies a landscape rich in character. Nestled around Rutland, England’s smallest county and stretching across six distinctive counties, the Notswolds is one of England’s most exciting emerging regions.

Many are now looking beyond the most fashionable, and crowded, rural enclaves in search of something more grounded: quieter, less polished, and quietly redefining what rural life can be.

Unhurried, unspoilt and understated. A place where limestone shapes the character of streets and squares, rolling pastures give way to ancient woodland, and where a slower pace invites people back to nature, to craft, and a gentler way of living. This is not a story of escape, but of connection.

Where Market Towns Meet Modern Life

The market towns and villages of the Notswolds define its appeal. Elegant yet unpretentious; steeped in heritage, yet alive with quiet energy. Uppingham, Market Harborough, Oundle and Stamford, all regularly ranked among the UK’s most desirable places to live, offer independent shops, galleries and cafés within Georgian streetscapes. Stamford alone, with over 600 listed buildings, was described by Betjeman as “the finest stone town in England,” and was the first urban conservation area designated in England, in 1967. In 2024 was named the UK’s top high street for independents, a testament to the community’s enduring support for local makers and retailers.

The region is scattered with villages of real charm, from Barrowden’s duck pond in Rutland to Medbourne, one of the Welland Valley’s most sought-after spots. Life flows at a gentler rhythm: village shops stocked with local produce, pubs that hum into the evening, and seasonal markets and fêtes that bring neighbours together. It’s a countryside that feels lived-in, grounded and deeply attuned to the seasons.

Much of the land remains in the hands of historic, family-run estates, many still intact after generations, their houses lived in and well kept. Their appeal lies in a balance of beauty, productivity and proximity: close enough to London for court, far enough to remain hidden if you preferred. In a world where many estates have changed hands, here the old families stayed, not just for legacy’s sake, but because life here is good, and always has been.

They’ve adapted, modernised, stewarding the land from one generation to the next. Open year-round as gardens, house tours and event spaces, these estates continue to shape local life, offering not just heritage and employment but connection and quiet continuity for the surrounding villages.

Rolling Hills, Ancient Woods, Endless Trails

Daily life in the Notswolds flows with the natural rhythm of its surroundings. Over 1,000 miles of footpaths, bridleways and quiet roads invite walkers, riders, cyclists and dog owners to roam freely through fields, woods, riverbanks and open country. The region’s gently rolling terrain lends itself perfectly to time spent outdoors, whether on two wheels, on horseback, or simply on foot.

County lines fade into a patchwork of valleys and expansive views, where some of the region’s most desirable villages are tucked away. Meaning “beautiful view” in Norman French, the Vale of Belvoir, the Vale of Belvoir is defined by broad slopes and honey-stone hamlets crowned by Belvoir Castle. Further south, the Welland Valley traces the route from Market Harborough to Stamford, its river paths and meadows crossed by the striking 82‑arch Welland Viaduct. The Lincolnshire Wolds, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, offers sweeping chalk uplands, deep-cut lanes and a rare sense of unspoilt stillness, rich in wildlife and rural charm. It’s home to one of Britain’s largest networks of chalk streams: rare, spring-fed waterways that support otters, water voles and brown trout, and attract those in search of quiet fly-fishing spots. Beyond, the land gives way to the salt-tinged air of the ‘Notswolds Riviera’ on the Lincolnshire coast. Here, wide skies stretch over salt marshes, sandy dunes and seal colonies. Traditional seaside towns bustle with life, while wilder stretches offer hidden beaches and unclaimed shoreline that feel a world away from the crowds.

At its centre lies Rutland Water, one of Europe’s largest man-made lakes offering sailing, cycling, fishing and birdwatching, while its shores have become a sanctuary for wildlife, including the returning Rutland Ospreys. The surrounding trails and roads make this a destination for cyclists of all levels. This is the home of J.Laverack Bicycles, creators of award-winning titanium bikes and the Aston Martin .1R - featured in Country Life’s ‘Best of Britain’.

The Notswolds is distinctly horse country. Bridleways thread through woods and farmland, and lanes are often shared with riders. Horses feel as much a part of the scenery as church towers and dry-stone walls, a legacy marked in Rutland’s horseshoe flag. Across the region, you’ll find livery yards, cross-country courses and private estates where riding, fishing and field sports continue as part of rural life. Many of these lands were once royal hunting grounds, from Sherwood in Nottinghamshire to Rockingham in Northamptonshire, and their stories still echo in today’s forests, trails and nature reserves.

Seasonal, Simple, Farm to Table Food

In the Notswolds, food isn’t a trend; it’s an inheritance. Generations of farming heritage have instilled a seasonal, land-led approach to eating. Fertile Lincolnshire fields still feed much of England, pastures nurture rare-breed livestock, and market, farm shops and fresh bread from independent bakeries still set the rhythm of the week.

Michelin-starred Hambleton Hall, set above Rutland Water, has been a beacon of refined English hospitality since 1982. Chef Aaron Patterson’s seasonal menus draw on local game, wild ingredients and classical technique, while its sister business, Hambleton Bakery—founded by Patterson and Tim Hart—has earned national acclaim for its slow-ferment breads and traditional bakes, sold from their own independent bakeries to local shops across the region. In Plungar, Jericho brings modern energy and sustainability to rural fine dining. Awarded a Michelin Green Star, the restaurant is led by chef Richard Stevens and powered by hyper-local sourcing, open-fire cooking, and a commitment to minimal waste. On the border of Leicestershire and Rutland, Keythorpe Hall offers immersive culinary experiences rooted in regenerative farming. Guests can join wild food foraging days, explore the walled garden, and join seasonal supper clubs or long-table lunches hosted by chefs Bent Varming and Peter Johansen, all part of a deeper ethos connecting land, people and plate.

Rutland, known as “The County of Good Taste”, distills this ethos beautifully, with standout pub restaurants like The Olive Branch in Clapham and The Finch’s Arms in Hambleton. Across the region The Six Bells at Witham, The Chubby Castor in Castor, and The Martins Arms in Colston Bassett, stand out as firm favourites of both locals and visitors. A flourishing casual dining scene can be found at destinations such as Rutland Nursery, Woolfox, and Rutland Watermill, as well as fantastic independent cafes such at The Great in Great Easton, Fika in Stamford and Oakham, and Scandi Coffee Co in Stamford and Uppingham.

Culinary heritage runs deep: Melton Mowbray pork pies, Stilton, Lincolnshire sausages and Grantham gingerbread tell stories of place. Today, vineyards, breweries and distilleries give the Notswolds its own contemporary flavour, making it a destination for food lovers as much as for those drawn to the land itself.

Hosting Art, Performance and Play

From renowned galleries to open-air festivals and historic theatres, the Notswolds offers a richly layered cultural scene, where Georgian towns and grand estates set the stage for world-class art, music and performance.

Gladwell & Patterson, with roots dating back to 1746, brings centuries of fine art expertise to Stamford and London’s Knightsbridge. With an international reputation, the gallery exhibits at leading art fairs across the US, Asia, Europe and the UK, specialising in fine oil paintings, watercolours and sculpture - from Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works to landscapes and contemporary portraiture. In Uppingham, Goldmark Gallery has spent over five decades curating fine art and studio ceramics, earning its place among Britain’s most respected independent galleries.

For live performance, the region offers unforgettable stages. Each June, the Nevill Holt Festival transforms its historic estate, where a decade of world-class opera performances has grown into an annual celebration of arts and culture. At its heart is a sleek, award-winning theatre set within sculpted gardens. At Tolethorpe, the Stamford Shakespeare Company, founded in 1968, welcomes audiences to its woodland amphitheatre for productions as timeless as their surroundings. The Stamford Arts Centre offers theatre, film, and music under one roof, while the Stamford International Music Festival bringing rising stars of chamber music to historic venues each spring. Festival-goers make the annual pilgrimage to Belvoir Castle’s Forbidden Forest Festival, which transforms ancient parkland into a luminous playground of light and sound.

Beyond the stage, culture spills into sporting traditions. September’s Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials remains one of the world’s great equestrian events, while Rutland’s Global Birdfair draws wildlife enthusiasts from around the globe. For sports fans, the Notswolds is a breeding ground for national talent. Rugby giants Leicester Tigers and Northampton Saints have long supplied England with legends like Martin Johnson and Courtney Lawes, while Leicester City’s 2016 Premier League triumph gave football one of its greatest underdog stories. Even in cricket, Nottingham’s Trent Bridgestands as a jewel in England’s sporting crown, hosting Test matches and nurturing stars such as Stuart Broad.

A Strong Foundation for Families

For families, the Notswolds offers something rare: a place where children can grow and thrive, surrounded by outstanding schools and a rich natural environment.

At the earliest stages, parents are drawn to the region’s abundance of nurseries and primary schools embracing outdoor learning and forest school principles. Here, children are encouraged to connect with the outdoors, with an emphasis on curiosity and creativity helps lay strong foundations for future learning. Prep schools like Copthill and Witham Hall are celebrated for blending nurturing environments with academic rigour, preparing children for success at top senior schools. Older students benefit from renowned institutions like Stamford Endowed Schools, Uppingham, Oakham, and Oundle, each offering a rich mix of tradition, innovation, and opportunity, consistently ranking among the region’s best.

High-quality education isn’t confined to the independent sector. Across the region, state schools enjoy strong reputations, with a mix of Outstanding and Good Ofsted ratings reflecting high standards in teaching and pastoral care. From village primaries with close-knit communities to well-regarded secondary schools and sixth forms, parents have a broad choice of settings, making it a natural choice for families investing in their children’s future.

Well‑Connected, Unhurried Life

With easy rail links from Stamford, Oakham, Market Harborough, Peterborough, and Grantham, London is just over an hour away - ideal for both commuters and those seeking spontaneous city trips. Yet the region’s connections extend far beyond the capital: direct train services link the Notswolds to the North West (Manchester), the Midlands (Birmingham, Nottingham), Yorkshire (York), the North East (Newcastle), and even Scotland, placing it firmly within reach of the entire UK.

Major airports - including East Midlands, Birmingham, Manchester, and Luton - bring international travel within easy reach. The Notswolds sits in that rare Goldilocks zone: close enough for convenience and opportunity, yet removed enough to retain a strong sense of identity and a thriving local community.

A Place to Belong

This is the Notswolds: a region where life feels balanced, rooted in heritage, shaped by community, and enriched by nature. Not a brand. Not a boundary. But a way of seeing: joy in the everyday and luxury in simplicity.

The shift north reflects something deeper. A desire for places with soul. A quiet movement towards towns and villages that carry history in their walls but are still alive with potential. With space to grow, create and focus on what matters. Life gathering its meaning in small, familiar moments: a nod to the dog you pass each week, an evening ride with neighbours, a long chat with the butcher, knowing your postman by name.

The Notswolds is more than a destination. It’s somewhere to return to. A place to belong. We invite you to step in and discover it for yourself.