Rutland is England’s smallest historic county, but it packs plenty of walking into its rolling limestone countryside. Rutland Water, one of the largest man-made lakes in Britain, is the centrepiece, with waterside paths, nature reserves and plenty of birdlife, while the market towns of Oakham and Uppingham and stone-built villages such as Lyddington and Clipsham make natural starting points. The Hereward Way and Macmillan Way both cross the county.