Whether you’re visiting us for a few hours, the day, or a weekend there are plenty of enjoyable things to do and places to spend time in around Oundle. We’ve gathered some local recommendations to help you make the most of your visit.
If you’re looking for somewhere quiet to work or to host a meeting, both The Talbot Hotel and Fletton House on Glapthorn Road offer meeting and conference rooms that can be booked in advance. For more relaxed remote working, many of Oundle’s local cafés, provide customer Wi-Fi, making it easy to catch up on emails while enjoying a coffee. You can also work from the café in Oundle School Sports Centre.
There are several lovely cafés in Oundle town centre with customer wifi available perfect for watching the world go by, reading a book, enjoying a coffee, a light bite or working remotely from. You'll find Beans and The Lemon Tree by the town war memorial, The Coffee Tavern in the Market Square and the Greedy Piglet on North Street.
There are also several restaurants in Oundle offering different cuisines for lunch and dinner including Dexters (Mediterranean), Onkar (Indian), Tuana (Turkish and Mediterranean), Salernos (Italian) and The Tap and Kitchen (European and British). The Talbot Hotel is open all day for coffee and serves lunch and dinner.
Take a gentle wander around the town to explore it's independent shops, or tick off a few errands. You'll find everything from lifestyle and gift shops, to florists and wine merchants. There is also an antiques shop and a gallery to explore, as well as a pottery painting studio if you're feeling creative.
For practical shopping, there are two pharmacies in the town centre as well as a butchers, a Tesco Express and a Coop, with a Waitrose just a 10 minute walk away. Thursday is Market Day in Oundle and a monthly Farmer's Market takes place on the second Saturday of every month.
There are lots of pretty villages within just a few miles of Oundle to explore too, many with great pubs serving food for lunch or dinner.
There are several walks close to the School, ranging from gentle strolls around the town, to longer scenic, countryside routes allowing you to get some fresh air, stretch your legs and enjoy the picturesque surroundings.
Barnwell park is a 15 minute walk from the town centre and offers various short routes on path ways, as well as a cafe and woodland play area for younger family members.
If you're bringing the dog and have packed your wellies, or fancy something a little longer, there are various walks along the riverbank and fields taking in the surrounding countryside.
Enjoy a swim in the pool, or a session at the Golf Simulator at the Oundle School Sports Centre, both of which are available to non members to book on a pay as you go basis. We recommend booking these in advance to ensure availability. You'll also find parking (including electric vehicle charging points) and a cafe at the Sports Centre.
During term time you're welcome to attend an array of School music and theatre performances, art exhibitions and lectures which are open to the local community and general public. There's something happening most days of the week from lunchtime concerts in St Peter's Church on Thursdays, to our Sixth Form Lecture series on Friday mornings, plays and music recitals in the evenings, as well as exhibitions in the Yarrow Gallery which you can just pop in to. There's often events taking place in the town too.
There are lots of interesting places to visit close to Oundle including Lyveden New Bield, an impressive unfinished building from the 1500s started by Thomas Tresham now owned by the National Trust and Fotheringhay Church & Castle with ties to King Richard III and many other royal connections and where Mary, Queen of Scots, was tried and beheaded. Both are within 4 miles of the town making them perfect for a short visit. For more local history, Oundle Museum is located in the town’s old Courthouse building and is open seasonally on weekends.
There are several place to stay in Oundle should you need overnight accommodation. Many of our visitors stay at the Talbot Hotel for its central location and proximity to the Great Hall, however there are plenty of self catering apartment options in and around Oundle too which you can find via the Love Oundle website below. Long stay parking is available in the town on East Road and Benefield Road.
Just a 30-minute drive from Oundle, Stamford is a beautiful historic town with a great selection of independent shops and cafés. A visit can be easily combined with exploring Burghley House or enjoying a day out at Rutland Water.
Queensgate Shopping Centre in Peterborough offers a large, covered shopping destination with a range of shops and restaurants. While in the city, you could also visit Peterborough Cathedral or enjoy riverside walks and open green spaces at Ferry Meadows Country Park.
Rushden Lakes combines popular high-street stores with lakeside dining and scenic walking routes. Nearby Stanwick Lakes provides further opportunities to enjoy nature trails and wildlife, making it an ideal addition to a shopping trip.
