| Hambleton | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
  Hambleton Location withinRutland | |
| Area | 4.47 sq mi (11.6 km2) [1] |
| Population | 140 2001 Census[2] |
| • Density | 26/sq mi (10/km2) |
| OS grid reference | SK900075 |
| • London | 84 miles (135 km)SSE |
| Unitary authority | |
| Shire county | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | OAKHAM |
| Postcode district | LE15 |
| Dialling code | 01572 |
| Police | Leicestershire |
| Fire | Leicestershire |
| Ambulance | East Midlands |
| UK Parliament | |
| 52°39′32″N0°40′16″W / 52.659°N 0.671°W /52.659; -0.671 | |
Hambleton is a village andcivil parish inRutland, England. It is about two miles (3 km) east ofOakham. The village now stands on theHambleton Peninsula between arms of theRutland Water reservoir.Hambleton Hall is a prominent hotel.
The village's name means 'maimed hill'. It has been thought that the hill in the village looks as if it has been sliced off.[3]
In 2001 Hambleton had a population of 140, increasing to 203 at the 2011 census.[4] Since the construction ofRutland Water in the 1970s, the village has been closed off on three sides by water and the area is known as theHambleton Peninsula.
The parish originally included the settlements ofUpper Hambleton, Middle Hambleton and Nether Hambleton. The latter two have now been almost completely submerged by the construction ofRutland Water (originally known as Empingham Reservoir). TheJacobean Old Hall in Middle Hambleton (built in 1611 and once the home ofSir Abel Barker, 1st Baronet) is now situated on the water's edge.
The village contains the 12th-centurySt Andrew's Church, Hambleton, a pub called The Finch's Arms and a hotel and restaurant,Hambleton Hall.
The church still has an original Norman south doorway, and was extensively restored and fitted out during the late 19th century. This included excellent stained glass windows created mainly by James Egan during the 1890s. Two of these were dedicated by the Reverend David Elliot Young to his mother and infant child who are buried in the churchyard. It is believed that the windows were funded byWalter Gore Marshall after being petitioned by Rev Young. Adjacent to the south side of the church yard stands a 16th-century priest house.[5]
The Hall was built in 1881 as a hunting box by Walter Marshall who left it to his sister, Eva Astley Paston Cooper. She was asocialite who gathered asalon includingNoël Coward,Malcolm Sargent andCharles Scott-Moncrieff. Coward wroteHay Fever (1924) while staying in the village.[citation needed]
There is a view across toBurley House from the north side of the village and from the south one can see across to the sailing club atEdith Weston on the far shore. The track around the peninsula along the lakeside takes walkers and cyclists through bluebell woods.
Hambleton was rated as among the "20 most beautiful villages in the UK and Ireland" byCondé Nast Traveler in 2020.[6]
Abel Barker, the son of Abel Barker and Elizabeth Wright, in 1637 inherited the manor of Hambleton. He rented part of his lands fromEdward Harington andJames Harington, and farmed sheep on a large scale.[7][8] He was electedMember of Parliament forRutland and he was made abaronet in 1665.
He married twice and was succeeded in his baronetcy by his son from his first marriage, Thomas.[8] TheBarker baronets, of Hambleton title became extinct on the death of the second baronet in 1707.
