Pictures of England
 Exploring the most Picturesque & Historic parts of England..

Pictures of Hallaton

in the county of Leicestershire

Hallaton village centre, Leicestershire.

About Hallaton

As an area of such outstanding beauty, it is not surprising that the lands all around here are known for providing the finest hunting in all England. There is simply mile after mile of undulating countryside, a complete patchwork of hedged rectangular fields, criss-crossed here and there by meandering little streams. It is an engaging picture, with long winding leafy lanes, resplendent with gracious stone houses and cottages, gloriously adorned with ravishing gardens that are a riot of colourful summer flowers, foxglove, lupin, sweet pea and roses that climb, to cover old mellow stone walls. These lanes are often more suited to the horses riding out along them, than they are to the traffic of today.

Hallaton has a beautiful old church. The church of St.Michael, dates mainly 13th-century but there are fragments from Norman times. In the porch there is a tympanum, depicting St.George and the Dragon. The aisles are 14th-century and there is some good 13th-century decoration to the chancel, there is also some exquisite 19th-century stained glass. There is a cool serenity about this lovely church, it is well worth a visit.

Easter Monday sees the villages of Hallaton and Medbourne engaged in a riotous 'bottle kicking' contest which is said to have pagan origins. The local vicar distributes slices of Hare Pie, the remains of which are scattered on Hare Pie Bank. The villagers then engage to carry bottles of beer over the opposition boundary. The winner is carried shoulder high to Hallerton's butter cross to sample the beer, the celebrations continue in the local inns. The contest may be a pagan rite and have to do with hare worship, or it could derive from sacrificial rites in connection with the godess Eostre. But, whatever, it is an exhilarating time of fun and merriment, everyone joins in, it is enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.

Hallaton is mentioned in the Domesday book under the old name of Alctone. It is believed that Castle Hill, just outside Hallaton, was inhabited more than a thousand years before the Normans came and this is supported by findings during the 19th-century that are on display in Leicester museum. The lovely building of Hallaton Hall dates back to the 18th-century.

This is prime hunting country and Hallaton is but one of a collection of quintessentially English villages interspersed throughout the beautiful Welland Valley. It is an area of rich grazing lands, gloriously green, and not to be missed.

Hallaton lies close to the boarder of the beautiful county of Rutland and the delightful town of Market Harborough is about 10 miles away.

Add town to favourites

Submit a history of Hallaton

Recommended towns & villages near Hallaton

St Andrew's Church, Lyddington

Lyddington

The charming village of Lyddington is set along what was doubtless once an ancient track that carried horse-drawn traffic...

Information | Pictures (3) | Hotels

Uppingham Market Place, Rutland

Uppingham

Uppingham is a small town in what used to be called Rutland. It was just a tiny county, yet it encompassed some of the most beautiful countryside in England...

Information | Pictures (12) | Hotels

Farmland nr Rockingham Forest

Rockingham

This pretty village has a rising main street flanked by sturdy stone houses...

Information | Pictures (6) | Hotels

Harringworth, Northamptonshire

Harringworth

Harringworth is a peaceful, serene village surrounded by unspoilt countryside...

Information | Pictures (5) | Hotels

Rutland Water, Oakham, Rutland. Spring 2004

Oakham

For centuries the countryside around Oakham has echoed to the sound of hunting horns, for the vales and rolling farmland surrounding this sedate market town, have been the stamping ground for the counties hunting fraternity...

Information | Pictures (23) | Hotels

All towns in Leicestershire
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Recommended attractions near Hallaton

Launde Abbey, East Norton, Leicestershire

Launde Abbey

..

Information | Pictures (1) | Hotels

Rockingham Castle Gardens, Corby, Northamptonshire

Rockingham Castle Gardens

..

Information | Pictures (3) | Hotels

View from Rockingham Castle, Corby, Northamptonshire

Rockingham Castle

..

Information | Pictures (8) | Hotels

East Carlton Hall, Corby, Northamptonshire

East Carlton Country Park

..

Information | Pictures (2) | Hotels

Foxton Locks, Near Market Harborough, 'Narrow Boat coming down'

Foxton Locks

..

Information | Pictures (13) | Hotels


All attractions in Hallaton
All attractions in Leicestershire
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Hotels & Accommodation in Hallaton

Book the The Falcon Hotel in The Market Place, Uppingham, Rutland, England

The Falcon Hotel

The Market Place, Uppingham, Rutland, England (5.1 miles, 8.2 km, direction E)
The Falcon Hotel at Uppingham welcomes business travellers and leisure guests alike. The hotel offers hospitality in the traditional sense. The Falcon Hotel, originally a renowned 16th century coach...
More info and book online..  Price from £60.00

Book the The Lake Isle Hotel & Restaurant in 16 High Street East, Uppingham, Uppingham, Rutland, England2 stars

The Lake Isle Hotel & Restaurant

16 High Street East, Uppingham, Uppingham, Rutland, England (5.1 miles, 8.2 km, direction E)
This 18th Century personally run town house hotel and restaurant is situated in the pretty market town of Uppingham. The hotel is ideally placed for exploring all of the attractions in Rutland. In t...
More info and book online..  Price from £55.00

Book the Marquess Of Exeter Hotel in 52 Main Street, Lyddington, Nr Uppingham,, Rutland, England4 stars

Marquess Of Exeter Hotel

52 Main Street, Lyddington, Nr Uppingham,, Rutland, England (5.1 miles, 8.3 km, direction E)
The quiet village of Lyddington provides the setting for the charming and charismatic Marquess of Exeter. .This 16th Century former coaching inn has recently been taken over by The Rutland Pub Co. W...
More info and book online..  Price from £50.00

Book the The Old Plough in 2,Church Street, Braunston-In-Rutland, Oakham, Rutland, England

The Old Plough

2,Church Street, Braunston-In-Rutland, Oakham, Rutland, England (6.8 miles, 11.0 km, direction NE)
A unique picturesque 18th century inn situated close to Rutland Water, only 1 mile from the county town of Oakham. The Old Plough is within easy reach of Nottingham, Peterborough and Leicester, as wel...
More info and book online..  Price from £30.00

Book the The Old Pheasant in 15 Main Road, Glaston, Glaston, Uppingham, Rutland, England

The Old Pheasant

15 Main Road, Glaston, Glaston, Uppingham, Rutland, England (6.9 miles, 11.1 km, direction E)
The Old Pheasant is a listed property close to Rutland Water, in the most British county in England. Whether on business or a leisure break, we will do our utmost to help you relax and enjoy your stay...
More info and book online..  Price from £50.00


More Hallaton hotels...

Nearby travel help

Market Harborough Station(6.5 miles, 10.4 km, direction SW)
Oakham Station(8.8 miles, 14.1 km, direction NE)
M1 Junction 21(15.5 miles, 24.9 km, direction W)
M1 Junction 20(16.9 miles, 27.2 km, direction SW)
East Midlands Airport(27.9 miles, 45.0 km, direction NW)
Birmingham International Airport(38.9 miles, 62.6 km, direction W)
Hallaton to London(78.8 miles, 126.8 km, direction SE)

User Login

UK Hotel Search

Enter destination:

(town, attraction, airport, postcode or hotel name)
Select date:
Nights:
Rooms:

Picture Tours