Landscapes
Market Towns
Speculate on why the stocks in Oakham's market square have five holes for arms and legs! Oakham was the home of Sir Jeffery Hudson, 'Britain's Smallest Man' – a tiny but well-proportioned dwarf who fought for the Royalists in the English Civil War. Enjoy wonderful views from the top of England's tallest working windmill, in Boston. Soak away your worries at the warm springs of Buxton and Bakewell (originally called 'Bathwell'), whose health-giving waters have been appreciated since Roman times. Or follow your stomach on a food odyssey across the market towns of the East Midlands – after all, this is the region that gave England its Stilton cheese, its Melton Mowbray pork pie and its Bakewell tart.
Best Market Towns Around the Region
Newark
Three sieges, Civil War and the Great Plague failed to bring down the resilient town of Newark.
Three sieges, Civil War and the Great Plague failed to bring down the resilient town of Newark.
Stamford
The market town of Stamford has stood the test of time and retained much of its old charm and character thanks mainly to the numerous buildings constructed from traditional Lincolnshire limestone.
The market town of Stamford has stood the test of time and retained much of its old charm and character thanks mainly to the numerous buildings constructed from traditional Lincolnshire limestone.
Melton Mowbray
The young Marquis of Waterford and his aristocratic friends descended on Melton Mowbray after a day's hunt in 1837.
The young Marquis of Waterford and his aristocratic friends descended on Melton Mowbray after a day's hunt in 1837.
Oundle
Oundle is an ancient Northamptonshire market town, attractively situated on rising ground beside a meander of the River Nene.
Oundle is an ancient Northamptonshire market town, attractively situated on rising ground beside a meander of the River Nene.
Market Harborough
Stand beneath the old grammar school in Market Harborough which sits on huge oak legs, where butter markets were once held.
Stand beneath the old grammar school in Market Harborough which sits on huge oak legs, where butter markets were once held.
