Oakham - Butter Cross & Castle

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Spy Mission around Oakham Butter Cross and Castle, with Agents helping stop Dr Bea Nasty from cursing Oakham's ceremonial horseshoes by exploring the town and recovering the code that will halt her device before Prince Lardeedah arrives.

The operation covers approximately 1.2 miles and should take around 1.5 hours to complete. You'll start near the main entrance to Oakham Library, investigate the town centre, pass through Market Place and Market Street, and explore key spots around Cutts Close Park, the Castle grounds and All Saints' Church before looping back towards the start area.

This Trail is wheelchair accessible and pushchair accessible. The route is described as pretty level throughout, using pavements, paths and quiet roads, with some busy-road crossings to handle carefully.

Agents should also take care around the railway level crossing area, and keep Mini Agents close whenever the route crosses busier roads.

Getting There

By car: Begin the mission near the main entrance to Oakham Library (LE15 6DU). Nearby parking is suggested at Burley Road pay and display car park (LE15 6DH), which is recommended for the start.

By public transport: Make your way to the main entrance to Oakham Library to begin the operation. The circular route loops back through Market Place and Market Street to the start area near Oakham Library.

Need the Loo?

Useful comfort stops are available at John Street bus station, not far from Clue 08, and at Church Street car park, near Clue 15.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

If you're bringing four-legged Agents along for backup, plan for a compact town-centre mission with pavements, paths, quiet roads and some busy-road crossings. 🐾

Keep canine recruits close around traffic and take particular care near the railway level crossing. Cutts Close Park and the Castle grounds are suggested picnic spots, so check ahead for opening times if you're hoping to pause there with the whole squad.

Food & Drink Stops

Code-breaking is thirsty work, but there are plenty of shops and cafes in the town centre for provisions.

Cutts Close Park and the Castle grounds are suggested for a secret picnic, but check ahead for opening times before relying on them as your refuelling base.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Oakham Castle

The Castle grounds are part of the route and make a strong picnic contender if open. Inside the castle, keep your undercover eyes peeled for over 230 ornate horseshoes, given to the Lord of the Manor by peers of the Realm and Royalty who visit Oakham - a very appropriate extra stop for Agents tackling Dr Bea Nasty's horseshoe plot.

Oakham Castle museum

The museum is free to enter and well worth checking out if open. Its collection includes old agricultural equipment, memorabilia of old Rutland and items of crime and punishment, including the only New Drop Gallows in England.

All Saints' Church

All Saints' Church was first mentioned in the Domesday Book, when it would have been a wooden building. It was rebuilt in stone in the 13th century, and its slender spire is 14th century. Look up for Cock Peter on top of the spire, thought to be one of the oldest weather vanes in the country and visible for miles around.

Midland Railway signal box

Just across the level crossing is the famous Midland Railway signal box. Built in 1899, this listed building has a brilliant undercover claim to fame - Hornby and Airfix used it as a model for their train-set signal boxes, and it often appeared on the boxes too.

Oakham Congregational Church and Flores House

Oakham Congregational Church was first formed in 1662, with the current building opening in 1861. Next door, Flores House is one of the oldest houses in Oakham, dating from the late 1300s, and is named after Roger Flore, Speaker of the House of Commons from 1416-1422.