Residents including MP Alicia Kearns react to a Daily Telegraph about Rutland
The Daily Telegraph might suggest ‘few people have ever even heard of Rutland, let alone been there’, but flourishing visitor numbers and thriving towns might tell a different story.
The report - a travel piece entitled ‘Forgotten corners of Britain you should visit in 2020’ - highlights England’s smallest county’s lack of motorways and ‘sleepy charm’, as well as its independent shops and restaurants.
It also speaks of some of Rutland’s hidden histories, such as Stoke Dry church being the place Guy Fawkes and his co-conspirators drew up plans to blow up King James.
Since regaining independence from Leicestershire in 1997, the county has lived up to its Latin motto ‘multum in parvo’ roughly meaning ‘a great deal in a small space’, and many believe this represents Rutland perfectly.
Ed Burrows, chairman of Discover Rutland, said: “To say few people have heard of Rutland is a detail we would dispute, with tourist activity monitoring results showing visitor numbers increasing every year, reaching 1.89 million in 2018.
“Additionally, our increase in national exposure and our growing digital audience over the last few years has indicated that more people than ever, not only have heard of Rutland, but are choosing to visit the county.”
Arguably, one of the biggest tourist attractions is Rutland Water.
Home to the iconic, waterside Normanton church, a zoo, a watersports centre and a summer beach, the reservoir draws many people into the county.
On New Year’s Day, 699 participated in the Rutland Water Parkrun, with the majority of runners and walkers coming in from over the county border.
Rutland’s new MP, Alicia Kearns (Con), also feels that the county is a place visitors already cherish.
She recently moved to Langham with her husband and son.
She said: “Our community is a jewel at the heart of rural England.
“From our lovely market towns to our idyllic countryside, visitors enjoy the fabulous food and quality produce, and there is a terrific range of exciting outdoor activities on offer to all ages and abilities - not least on and around the beautiful Rutland Water.”
She added: “If Rutland is one of the country’s best kept secrets, that’s quite a well-deserved compliment.”
What do you think Rutland has to offer? Share your views by e-mailing: smeditor@stamfordmercury.co.uk
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