THE AREA.
Lakeview lodge is located within the beautiful countryside of the Vale of Belvoir, Leicestershire, whilst being convenient to our closet town of Melton Mowbray, approximately 15 minutes drive away. A rural capital of food, there was a time when Melton Mowbray was one of the most fashionable places in Europe; with royalty and aristocracy flocking to the town to spend the Winter months hunting with hounds. The town now has a wealth of history, illustrated on buildings with 'blue plaques', and displayed along it's heritage trail. Melton hosts a general market, cattle market, and Sunday antiques/car-boot market. The annual Christmas Victorian market is also very well known, and very popular, with traders travelling from far and wide, to 'sell their wares'.
Two local specialties dominate the world reputation of the Vale of Belvoir - STILTON CHEESE and PORK PIES. Of the six dairies currently allowed to produce Stilton cheese under the terms of its protected origin status, only one is not located in the area. The vale is the historic centre for the production of this king of English cheeses, and until the end of the 19th century, all Stilton cheese was being produced within 20 miles of Melton Mowbray. However, the cheese took it's name from the Huntingdonshire village of Stilton, where it waas served at the coaching inns on the Great North Road. Melton is also the home of the Melton Mowbray pork pie, produced by traditional methods using uncured pork andhand-formed pastry, and served cold. Stilton cheese and Melton Mowbray pork pies are covered by The European Protected Designation of Origin, orders.
Lakeview lodge provides an excellent base from which to explore.
Places of interest nearby:
Twin Lakes.
Belvoir Castle and gardens.
Belvoir Engine Yard, retail village.
Oakham, Rutland water nature reserve.
Langar Hall.
Leicester Cathedral - Resting place of King Richard III.
Stapleford Park.
National Space Centre, Leicester.
Melton Carnegie museum.
Woolsthorpe Maonor - Birth place of Sir Issac Newton.
Whissendine Windmill. One of England's few remaining fully operational 19th century windmills.
Melton Market.
Great Central Railway. The UK's only Main line Heritage Railway.
Ragdale Hall.
Eden Hall.
Conveniences found in Melton Mowbray:
Railway station.
Petrol stations/jet wash.
Post Office.
Launderette.
Banks.
Opticians.
Supermarkets - currently: Sainsbury's, Tesco and Morrisons and Lidl.
Boots the chemist.
Charity shops.
Hairdressers.
Gift shops.
Stationers.
Car hire services.
Melton Mowbray is located approximately 10 minutes drive from Lakeview lodge. There is a good choice of shops, cafes, coffee shops, tea rooms, and supermarkets. If you enjoy eating out, in Melton Mowbray you will find an impressive choice of restaurants/take-aways etc. including, Chinese, Thai and Indian restaurants, Pizza/kebab, Fish and chips, pub restaurants, Mcdonald's, and KFC. For a special treat, Michelin restaurants are located not far from Melton Mowbray, at Stapleford Park, Stathern and Wymondham. Pubs and bars in Melton Mowbray are plentiful, where you can find locally brewed ales on sale, live tv. sport, and live music. Not ready to end your evening there? If you like to 'have a boogie', Melton Mowbray also has its own small night club!
For cyclists, runners and walkers, the area has many routes, trails and bridleways to explore, both on and off road. It's all thirsty work, so why not visit the Belvoir Brewery and visitor's centre, at Old Dalby, sample some of their traditional beers, whilst discovering the history of the brewery. The village of Langar is close by, approximately 15 minutes by car. For the very active, a choice of parachuting, hot air balloon rides, and clay pigeon shooting is on offer here. For the children - Go-karting and quad biking will keep them amused for a few hours! Langar Hall, nearby, offers fine dining and afternoon tea. For the golfer, there are several local golf courses - Six Hills, Rutland Water, and Beadles Lake, to name just a few. Horse riding, lessons and livery can be found close by too.
KING RICHARD III.
Approximately thirty minutes drive from Lakeview lodge is the burial site of King Richard III.
The reinterment took place at Leicester Cathedral -
26 March 2015, during a televised memorial service held in the presence of The Archbishop of Canterbury, and senior members of the Christian denominations.
The Vale of Belvoir has been listed as an area of natural beauty, having Belvoir Castle only a 15 minute drive from Lakeview lodge. The vale sits on the borders of Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.
The name derives from the Norman-French, for
'beautiful view'. The Castle occupies a dominant position overlooking the vale, and is the ancestral home of the family of the Dukes of Rutland.