A circular walk and cycle route exploring the village and Old Hall estate of Exton.

Surrounded by a landscape of fields and woodland, Exton village has been described as one of the prettiest in Rutland. Attractive 18th and 19th century thatched ironstone buildings are grouped loosely around a shaded village green.

The village is dominated by Exton Hall with its Old Hall ruins, extensive formal grounds, garden follies, stone boundary walls, entrance lodges and gates. Nearby, the restored medieval parish church contains many outstanding 16th to 18th century family monuments.

Away from the village centre, the modern fields contain the evidence of their past life as the extensive landscaped grounds associated with the country house and seat of the Noel family - Exton Hall. The ornamental lakes, avenues of trees and garden follies give a glimpse of the past splendor of a 17th / 18th century country house and its landscape park.

Walk: approx. 5 miles

Cycle Route: 10 miles

Allow 1 - 2 hours for the walk, with slightly longer to explore the church.

Oakham Road in Exton, opposite the Green. Car parking along Oakham Road and around the green.

Walk: Easy going tarmac or gravel bridleways, apart from a short stretch of field footpath (grass). Would be suitable for younger children and possibly pushchairs (apart from two stiles). Some uphill stretches.

Cycle Route: Mainly gravelled bridleway, with short lengths of grass bridleway and road. Several gates and cattle grids.

Exton - Fox and Hounds

This route is covered by the Ordnance Survey Explorer Series Number 15 (234) & 224. Exton is located in the north of Rutland, close to the north shore of Rutland Water. There is a bus service from Oakham to Exton - please contact the Rutland County Council Transport Officer on (01572) 758290 for details.