Major city · United Kingdom
Oakham
Spend a half‑day in Oakham to see the market, Oakham Castle and All Saints' Church; add a night if you want a relaxed dinner.
Oakham is Rutland's county town with a compact historic centre. The market square, castle and church are within a 10‑minute walk, making a half‑day enough for sights; a night lets you enjoy the local pubs and B&Bs.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- May–September
- avoid January–February (cold, limited opening hours)
- Airport
- EMA
- Nights
- 0–1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
- United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
- United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Oakham101 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Oakham, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the pound sterling (GBP, £).United Kingdom-wide
- SIM or eSIMEE, Vodafone (merged with Three in 2025) and O2 run the networks; prepaid SIMs sell in supermarkets, phone shops and airport vending machines…United Kingdom-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.United Kingdom-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant with table service: 10–12.5% if no service charge is on the bill; check before adding more.United Kingdom-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United Kingdom-wide
- SafetyOakham is a low‑crime market town; stay aware of traffic on market days and keep valuables secure in pubs.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are scarce and some charge 50p–£1 (≈ US$2) or are card-only.United Kingdom-wide
- Emergency numbers101 police / non‑urgent · 999 ambulance / fire
- Sundays & holidaysShops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 or 11:00–16:00 or 17:00).Shops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM–4:00 PM or 5:00 PM).United Kingdom-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportEMA East Midlands Airport (about 45 km (28 mi) by car).EMA East Midlands Airport (about 28 mi (45 km) by car).
- Getting aroundThe town is walkable; Oakham Chopper free for over‑60s.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee in a café£2–£3 (≈ US$3–4)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km))£8–£12 (≈ US$11–16)
- Budget bedBarnsdale Lodge B&B, a night, per person£130 (≈ US$180)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget £30 (≈ US$40) · Mid £45 (≈ US$60) · High £70 (≈ US$95)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- EMA East Midlands Airport (about 45 km (28 mi) by car)EMA East Midlands Airport (about 28 mi (45 km) by car)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Feb
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Mar
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
May
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jun
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jul
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Aug
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Sep
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jul (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Oakham: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
12 rd
Feb
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
10 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
9 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 rd
May
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
7 rd
Jun
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
6 rd
Jul
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
7 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
11 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is walkable; Oakham Chopper free for over‑60s. Taxis (Berridges) wait at the station. Cycle routes follow the Rutland Water bypass.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Rutland Water
goDoor to door: ≈45 min each way
Bus from Oakham station (check timetable)
Scenic reservoir with walking and water‑sports.
Stamford (Lincolnshire)
goDoor to door: ≈30 min
Train east to Stamford, ~20 min
Historic market town with well‑preserved medieval core.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
The Old Wisteria Hotel
Boutique B&B in the town centre
Hambleton Hall
19th‑century hunting lodge, B&B double £300
Barnsdale Lodge
Lakeside B&B, double £130
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- £50–£80 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- Mid
- £80–£130 (≈ US$110–180) excl. bed
Trip budget
| Barnsdale Lodge B&B2 × 3 nights × £150 | £900 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × £45 | £270 |
| Trip total≈ £195 per person per day, bed included | £1,170≈ US$1,600 |
Lakeside B&B, double room
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee in a café | £2–£3 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Pub meal (fish & chips, pie) | £8–£12 (≈ US$11–16) |
| Taxi (5 km) | £8–£12 (≈ US$11–16) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Market days (Wednesday, Saturday) cause traffic and limited parking near the square.
- Level crossing barriers can delay road traffic on High Street.
Emergency numbers
- Police / non‑urgent
- 101
- Ambulance / fire
- 999
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
OakhamOakham
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / non‑urgent101
- Ambulance / fire999
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Oakham station → Leicester (CrossCountry): about £12 (≈ US$16) each way (check)
- Taxi Oakham station → town centre: ≈ £8–£10
Say or show
- Sorry — Excuse me / Sorry (sɒri)
- Thank you — Thank you (θæŋk juː)
- How much is it? — How much is it? (haʊ mʌtʃ ɪz ɪt)
- Where is the toilet? — Where is the toilet? (wɛə ɪz ðə ˈtɔɪlət)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Oakham. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–September · avoid January–February (cold, limited opening hours) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Oakham
Loading…