| Nestled in Barnsdale, Rutland, The Barnsdale Hotel occupies a restored 19th-century lodge overlooking Rutland Water, Europe’s largest man-made reservoir.
This Rutland Water hotels option provides direct access to the 40-km cycling trail encircling the lake, with complimentary bike storage for guests.
Nearby dining highlights include Hambleton Hall’s tasting menus featuring estate-grown herbs and Whitwell Farm Shop’s artisan charcuterie boards.
History enthusiasts can explore Oakham Castle’s 12th-century Norman architecture, 10 minutes by car, or the submerged ruins of Normanton Church’s neoclassical portico at low water levels.
For travelers considering Oakham hotels, the property offers a unique blend of heritage and modernity, with rooms showcasing original oak beams alongside rainfall showers.
The on-site restaurant sources lamb from Exton Park’s regenerative farms and honey from Barnsdale’s apiaries.
Alternative accommodations include The Wheatsheaf Inn’s cozy rooms with inglenook fireplaces and Rutland Water Caravan Park’s eco-pods with lake views.
Guests praise the hotel’s guided stargazing sessions using the on-site telescope and the curated library of local history books.
Some note the steep staircase in the historic wing might challenge mobility-impaired visitors.
The property partners with Rutland Falconry for hawk-walking experiences along the reservoir’s western shore and offers private boat transfers to the Anglian Water Sports Centre for waterskiing lessons.
Among hotels in Rutland, this establishment stands out for its commitment to preserving Barnsdale’s ecological heritage, maintaining wildflower meadows that attract rare swallowtail butterflies.
The concierge arranges visits to Barnsdale Wood’s bluebell carpets in spring and private tours of Burley House’s Elizabethan tapestries.
Cyclists appreciate the direct trail connection to Lyndon Nature Reserve’s osprey observation hides, while literary enthusiasts enjoy the annual Rutland Water Poetry Trail hosted on the grounds. | 
