Exton - meaning "ox farm" is mentioned in 1185 as Exton Park - 'a wooded farm, enclosed for hunting deer'. It was Rutland's largest park, at one time covering 1,500 acres and with a herd of 500 deer!

Following the Norman Conquest the land was owned by the de Brus family, passing, by marriage to the Haringtons in the early 16th century, when John Harington married Catherine Colepepper. The Haringtons were the most important family in Rutland. The most powerful was Sir John Harington, created Baron Harington at the coronation of King James I of England. This elevation became a mixed blessing when he was made guardian of James' daughter, Elizabeth. The high cost of entertaining her, without a suitable allowance, ruined him. He minted his own money, made of brass, but this was valueless, leading to the saying "not worth a brass farthing". Theprincess married the Elector Palatine to become "Queen of Bohemia". The avenue of trees leading to the Double Lodges gatehouses at the entrance to Exton Park is still known today as the "Queen of Bohemia's Ride"! Lord Harington accompanied her to Bohemia, but died on his way back. After his death in 1613, the estate was sold to pay creditors, being purchased by Sir Baptist Hicks, a London Mereer, money lender and a contractor for Crown lands. His daughter married the 1st Baron Noel, the Noel family took over the estate and have kept it to this day. Sir Baptist Hicks purchased another estate, Campden in Gloucestershire, and was created Viscount Campden. This title is now bestowed on the Earl of Gainsborough's eldest son. The present Viscount Campden lives in Exton Hall.

As well as the main village known today, there were several cottages near the Church known as Little Exton. These were demolished in 1860 when the then Earl wished to clear the park. The road to this began opposite the present day Noel's Close on the Oakham Road and connected to Pudding Bag Lane.