Oakham is the county town of Rutland in England, a compact historic market town with a villagey feel. Its well‑preserved Norman Oakham Castle - home to one of the country’s finest 12th‑century halls and the quirky tradition of horseshoes hung on the gate - sits beside a Georgian high street and the long‑established independent Oakham School. The town also benefits from being close to Rutland Water, a large reservoir that draws birdwatchers, sailors and walkers.
Locally the economy mixes farming, independent shops, hospitality and tourism, and many residents commute to nearby centres such as Leicester and Peterborough. Community life is lively with weekly markets, small festivals and a county museum, giving Oakham a strong sense of local identity as the administrative and social heart of Rutland.