EXTON: A QUINTESSENTIALLY ENGLISH VILLAGE IN RUTLAND

I’m sure when I say I love a cutesy English village, I’m not the only one! It seems that we are in complete love of the quintessential English village, which never fails to deliver on stone facades, rows of thatched chocolate box cottages trellised in the scent of fresh roses, lavender and honeysuckle. Let me introduce you to Exton!

Exton is an incredibly special place that may just lure you into village goals period.

Welcome to Exton. On first glance you could be mistaken that you’ve entered the Cotswolds but a little further north, I kid you not, this complete beauty of a dwelling is nestled in the county of Rutland in middle England and will leave you in complete awe. Not to mention possible bagging a property for retirement.

The Village

Exton is quiet, calm and has all the demure of a a quaint English village. It has been deemed one of the most beautiful villages in Rutland and it’s easy to see why. It has a traditional village green standing at the heart of its community with a pretty scattering of stoned cottages, which date back 300 years. Also on the village green is Exton’s, local watering hole, The Fox & Hounds.

Exton Park Estate

A park existing since the 12^th Century, this is a large traditional English country estate home now to the Noel family (the Earls of Gainsborough) for over 400 years. The Park is also associated with Handel and Shakespeare, who have put on performances in the gardens of Exton.

The 6^th Earl of Gainsborough, Henry Noel, had a building erected on the Western shore of the Upper Lake, aptly named Fort Henry and was used by the Noels family for the enactment of naval battles at the time. Fort Henry was also a place the Noels could entertain their guests and used to celebrate family weddings and occasions.

Exton Hall or the Old Hall was lived in until 1810, when there was a fire that destroyed the South east Wing. The present house dates back to 1850 when the house was made four times its original size and by the mid-19th century a chapel was added to the Hall.

Today Exton Hall is principally the private home of Viscount Campden, his wife and their three children. The estate is also used as a wedding venue, private functions, as a filming location, farming land and shooting.

Exton Walks

Keen walkers will be delighted to know that Exton and the surroundings have some superb picturesque walks, which you can find out about at the Discover Rutland’s Walks Site

I’m thinking you’re all madly, deeply in love with Exton now, right? I cannot recommend enough if you’re in Rutland or just driving through the area to stop off for a short stroll or even venture out on the longer walks and reward yourself with a drink at The Fox & Hounds.

So tell me folks, do you have a favourite chocolate box cottage filled village?

Á Bientôt…

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