Discover Oakham Northgate
Oakham Rutland
Northgate is one of the most historic and visually charming streets in Oakham, the county town of Rutland.
While the town is famous for its castle and horseshoes, Northgate itself holds a wealth of "hidden in plain sight" history.
Here are some interesting facts about Northgate:
The Lost "North Gate"
While it is a street today, Northgate originally marked the northern boundary of the medieval town.
A physical gate, the North Gate, once stood at the western end of the street (near the junction where it meets Melton Road).
This was part of the town’s early defenses or boundary markers, alongside other gates like the "Gibbet Gate" to the south.
The street is a designated conservation area filled with Grade II listed buildings, showing a transition from the 17th to the
19th centuries:
No. 1 Northgate: Known as the "Old Deanery" or "Old Manor House," this early 17th-century building features a beautiful
reed-thatched roof and coursed rubble walls. It is one of the most photographed domestic buildings in Oakham.
No. 19 Northgate: A striking 17th-century stone house recognisable by its four-centred doorway and two-story mullioned bay windows.
Cottage Rows: Numbers 4–10 and 26–34 are distinct groups of early 18th-century cottages that illustrate the modest,
functional architecture of Rutland’s past.
The Boundary Crosses
In the medieval period, Oakham was dotted with stone crosses that served as boundary markers. One of these,
the Northgate Cross, stood at the junction of Finkle Street and Northgate Street. While the physical cross is long gone,
its location helped define the limits of the "Lordshold" the land held by the Lord of the Manor.
Northgate sits just a short walk from Hudson’s Cottage, Melton Road. the home of Sir Jeffrey Hudson (1619–1682).
Known as the "Smallest Man in the Smallest County," Hudson was 18 inches tall and famously served up in a cold pie to
Royality.
Locals often walk the Northgate route to reach the town center, mirroring the path residents have taken for over 400 years.
The Wheatsheaf Landmark
The Wheatsheaf Public House at the end of Northgate is a historic anchor for the street. It has served as a focal point for the community for centuries and remains one of the town's classic examples of a traditional English pub building, maintaining its historic facade amidst the modern evolution of the town.
Wheatsheaf Public House
Where the historic streets of Northgate meet the shadow of All Saints’ Church, stands The Wheatsheaf. Far from being just another stop on a Rutland ale trail, this Grade II listed gem serves as a living, breathing time capsule of English pub culture, blending 17th-century heritage with a vibrant, modern social energy.
Oakham Methodist Church
On the historic northern edge of Rutland’s county town, Oakham Methodist Church stands as a testament to a faith that is as much about community action as it is about quiet contemplation.