We're once again involving our Oakham pubs in our festival by publicising them via the Oakham 'Ale Trail' which is kindly sponsored this year by The Wheatsheaf in Oakham

We're hoping the pubs can lay on some complementary and perhaps contrasting ales to those we'll have at the festival. We’ll post further info here on the beers available as we have it.

Enjoy the following info on the pubs on the trail kindly produced by branch member Manuela Croft :

From Monday 23rd June to Sunday 29th we encourage visitors to also visit and support our great town pubs in the days leading up to the festival or, with the festival finishing at 8pm on Friday 27th and Saturday 28th and at 6pm on Sunday 29th, there’s plenty of time to sample some of the finest ales Oakham pubs have to offer afterwards too.
After all, these pubs aren’t just there for Christmas or the Ale Trail, they’re only there for as long as we support them!
We are lucky to have so many pubs selling real ale in our town. Here’s a brief description of them all as numbered on the map of Oakham.

1. The Grainstore Brewery Tap has been cleverly converted from a derelict Victorian railway building and retains some original features. Here you can sample from a total of 10 hand pumps. The Grainstore is a regular local CAMRA branch award winner and accepts CAMRA 50p discount vouchers.

2. The Wheatsheaf is very attractive looking traditional British pub and was runner-up for Rutland CAMRA’s Pub of the Year for the second year running. A very popular pub with a strong local following, it serves a good range of Everard’s beers and an excellent choice of ciders. This pub also has a beautifully well-kept garden which has also won many awards including overall champion in the Spencer Garden Competition beating over 170 other Everard’s pubs.

3. The Captain Noel Newton, a Wetherspoons pub and regularly a contender for Pub of the Season. The 50p CAMRA discount vouchers are also accepted here.

4. The Admiral Hornblower - Formerly a 17th century farmhouse, this is a popular hotel and restaurant on the High Street in the centre of town with a welcoming front bar and separate restaurant and dining areas. Great for a summer’s day with a large outside patio area. Another pub that accepts CAMRA discount vouchers.

5. The Lord Nelson. You’ll find this quirky pub in the top right-hand corner of Market Place. It’s now the sister pub to the George Hotel and has been undergoing some thoughtful updates to the interior of this historic inn and the outside area has also been improved and extended.

6. The George Hotel has been in the Market Place since the late 16th Century and has been extensively renovated having been formally known as the Whipper-Inn. There is a very cosy lounge, a separate bar area and lovely restaurant.

7. The Crown Tavern can be found at the end of Crown Walk and is a smart, stylish family friendly sports bar, serving ale on one pump.

8. Jinky’s has has been run by the same family for 18 years. All visitors to this quirky and quite different little pub with its unique decor are assured of a warm welcome.CAMRA members are offered a generous 20% off their pint with their membership card.

9. Ovation is a modern, friendly, bar serving quality wines and cocktails. Whilst no cask ale is available here there is selection of craft and keg beers.

10. The Angler originally the Rutland Maternity hospital is now under new management (27/5/25) we await further details which we'll update here.

And whilst Oakham is blessed with a good choice of real ale pubs, there are over 50 within Rutland which also deserve a visit. Give yourself a challenge for the upcoming year and visit a different one every week !