Oakham Castle
Rutland, England
Photo: DeFacto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: Bob Harvey, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Bob Harvey, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- Rutland County Council
- Condition
- Partial ruin
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
- Nearest station
- Oakham, 0.3 miles (straight-line)
- Note
- Norman great hall; horseshoe collection; free
Pinpoint
Castle Grounds Market Place, Oakham LE15 6DR
Telephone 01572 757578
Possible Opening Hours*
*Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The Great Hall is essentially all that survives of the Norman castle, but it's an unusually fine one, and it comes with a genuinely odd tradition attached: peers of the realm visiting Oakham for the first time have long been expected to donate a horseshoe, and the walls are lined with the results, some centuries old and enormous. Entry is free.
At a glance
Worth the trip
The horseshoe collection lining the hall walls - some given by monarchs and dukes, and unlike anything else on this list.
Before you go
It's a compact site, so even arriving half an hour before closing is enough time to see the hall properly, according to reviewers - don't feel you need to plan a whole afternoon around it.
What visitors say
Oakham Castle reviews · 4.5 / 5 across 1,147 Google reviews
Reviewers are uniformly positive, consistently highlighting the well-preserved great hall with its distinctive collection of horseshoes, free year-round access, and friendly, knowledgeable staff.
No caveats or complaints appear across the reviews.
“Lovely afternoon in Oakham, had a coffee first in the cafe then a look round the castle. Made to feel very welcome by the staff can’t wait to visit again”- Zerina, visitor review
Getting in - what Rutland County Council says
Accessibility guide available for visitors. Site references historical features including gardens, fishponds, windmill, water-mill.
Taken from Rutland County Council’s own website and read 28 July 2026 - check the current version. Access can change with building work, weather and staffing - if the visit depends on it, ring ahead.
Weddings at Oakham Castle
Oakham Castle is on our wedding roll because Rutland County Council mentions weddings on their own site. Visit their site.
Comparing options? See every castle wedding venue in England, or the full UK wedding roll.
Dates, capacity, licensing and exclusivity change constantly and we hold none of it - treat this as a starting point and speak to the venue before you plan anything around it.
History
Walkelin de Ferrers · 1180-1190
A Norman hall built between 1180 and 1190 by Walkelin de Ferrers, lord of the manor. It represents one of England's finest examples of domestic Norman architecture with elaborate sculptured columns and has continuously hosted court proceedings since 1229.
Drawn from Rutland County Council's own page.
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Parking
- “There is a nice model in the carpark showing the original layout and hall contains a museum which is free to enter.” - A C
- Facilities
- “Lovely afternoon in Oakham, had a coffee first in the cafe then a look round the castle.” - Zerina
Common questions about Oakham Castle
Where is Oakham Castle?
Oakham Castle is in Rutland, England, at Castle Grounds Market Place, Oakham LE15 6DR.
Do you need a ticket to visit Oakham Castle?
Yes - Oakham Castle is a staffed, ticketed attraction run by Rutland County Council. Ticket prices and opening hours change through the year, so check the official site before travelling.
What is the highlight of visiting Oakham Castle?
The horseshoe collection lining the hall walls - some given by monarchs and dukes, and unlike anything else on this list.
Is Oakham Castle a ruin or still intact?
Oakham Castle is a partial ruin - Norman great hall; horseshoe collection; free.
