Rutland’s Oakham Castle was built between 1180 and 1190 and now offers a rich history to those wanting to find out about it, as well as a location for weddings and civil ceremonies. The Great Hall is known for the horseshoes which line the wall, and this is down to a longstanding custom that every peer of the realm must present a horseshoe to the lord of the manor on their first visit to Oakham. The Channel 4 television show Time Team visited them recently, and the episode aired in February 2013, giving the Castle even more publicity and adding to its popularity. There is a Learning at Oakham Castle scheme which is suitable for schoolchildren in Key Stages 1 and 2 and involves an introductory talk, an investigatory work sheet and a craft activity that ensures entertainment as well as learning. The volunteers running the castle offer castle tours so the fascinating history can be taken in and shared, making it a wonderful choice for a family day out. If you do decide to make a day of it, then why not go to a restaurant near to Oakham Castle afterwards? There are plenty of places to eat in Rutland, and it being fairly small means that you won’t have to go too far in hunt of some good quality food. The restaurant nearest to Oakham Castle is Rutland Chinese Restaurant which has been serving wonderful dishes for over thirty years and has become increasingly popular. Other restaurants close to Oakham Castle include L’Oliveto, an Italian and Mediterranean restaurant, and Rutland’s oldest Inn, The Blue Ball. The array of different cuisines on offer and the location of each of them mean that everyone is sure to find something they want after they have a look around Oakham Castle and find out about its captivating history.