Rutland Water - North Shore & Villages

Navigating The Route

This is a driving Detective Mystery around Rutland Water North Shore & Villages, where local residents have been shocked by the death of wealthy local banker Robin Crook and Detectives must follow the trail of evidence across Rutland to work out whodunnit.

The investigation covers 10 miles by road, with short walks around each location, and should take 3+ hours to complete. Across the case, expect 2.5 miles of walking alongside the driving route.

You'll begin in Greetham near The Plough pub, then gather evidence through village stops including Cottesmore, Exton and Empingham before finishing at Rutland Water Whitwell. The route is not circular, so it starts in Greetham and finishes at Rutland Water Whitwell.

This Trail is wheelchair accessible and pushchair accessible. The route involves village streets, pavements and short walks around each location, with roads to cross carefully as you investigate.

Cross all streets with care. Traffic on most roads is light, but moving vehicles are present at all times, so supervise children and dogs closely.

Getting There

By car: Start the investigation in Greetham, near The Plough pub (LE15 7NL). Park your squad car near here and start by heading left along the left hand pavement to the small green for your first clue.

You can also park by The Sun Inn in Cottesmore (LE15 7DH). Park up by the inn and start by facing the inn, then going left down The Leas to Main Street.

Another option is The Fox and Hounds Inn in Exton (LE15 8AP). Park up by The Green outside the inn in Exton.

In Empingham, parking is past the church near the Green in Church Street (LE15 8PN).

Rutland Water Whitwell car park (LE15 8BL) is free for 15 minutes, then pay and display after that.

By public transport: Make your way to Greetham, near The Plough pub (LE15 7NL), to begin the investigation. You'll need to be able to travel between the route's village locations and on to Rutland Water Whitwell, as this is a driving Trail and does not return to the start.

Need the Loo?

Toilets can be found at Barnsdale Gardens, heading into Exton, and near the final clue.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Detectives are welcome on this dog friendly trail. 🐾

The case involves village streets, pavements, short walks at each location and road crossings, so keep canine colleagues close around traffic. Even the keenest sniffer dogs should be supervised closely, as moving vehicles are present at all times.

Food & Drink Stops

Evidence-gathering across Rutland calls for decent supplies. Small shops are available in some of the villages for restocking, and there is a cafe at the very end.

If you'd rather bring your own provisions, you can pack supplies for a picnic on the green in Exton or at the end.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Halliday's Folly

This curious corner features Halliday's Folly, once the workshop of Thomas Charity Halliday. He was a stonemason who employed up to 47 masons in the 1860s and often brought his work home, using pieces of medieval masonry he had collected to decorate his workshop and advertise his business.

Cottesmore and St Nicholas Church

Cottesmore is better known these days for the nearby RAF base, but the village has been around since before the Domesday Book, when it was known as Goda's Moor. St Nicholas Church is a large decorated Gothic building with a 14th century spire and 12th century doorway.

Exton church

Exton church dates from the 13th century, though it had to be extensively rebuilt during Victorian times after the tower collapsed when struck by lightning in 1843. Many of the historical monuments inside were not damaged and are well worth checking out once the Detectives have a moment to stop interrogating the evidence.

Whitwell village signs and the Noel Arms story

For many years the Whitwell village signs proudly stated 'Whitwell - twinned with Paris'. In 1980, regulars of the Noel Arms wrote to the Mayor of Paris requesting the twinning with a set date to respond, and when no reply was received they went ahead with the process. The signs were later replaced, and Whitwell no longer has an illustrious twin.

Rutland Water Nature Reserve

Rutland Water Nature Reserve has a prehistoric twist to add to the day. In 2022, the fossilised remains of Britain's largest ichthyosaur were discovered here. It is believed to be 180 million years old and has a skeleton measuring around 10 metres in length, with a skull weighing about one tonne.