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A Weekend Well Spent in

UPPINGHAM

It’s a 12 mile drive from the Joules Head Office in Market Harborough, through roads lined with farmer’s fields to reach Uppingham - the shoot location of our spring campaign ‘A Weekend Well Spent’. With its 16th Century sandstone architecture, picture-perfect market square and rows of independent shops, the town helped to shape the story of our campaign.

A Weekend Well Spent is all about embracing a slower pace of life when the weekend rolls around. It’s taking time away from clock watching to wander in fresh air, whatever the weather, relishing in the simple pleasure a coffee shop (and a croissant) can bring and it’s soaking up the small town’s big energy that is ever present, especially Friday through to Sunday.

To bring the campaign narrative to life, we spent time in and around Uppingham where we visited some of the locations featured in our shoot, and experienced the places that locals likely and rightfully brag about.

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What to Do in Uppingham

The market town is the perfect place to base yourself for a weekend with plenty to do, see and eat.

Perhaps its biggest draw, and the one that influenced our campaign the most, is the ability to get lost in the maze of its streets. There’s antique shops selling one-of-a-kind pieces from trinkets to taxidermy, independent gift shops full of handcrafted wares and second hand bookshops that retain their small town charm by only opening their doors on weekends. Every Friday from 8am-4pm the market square becomes a vibrant sea of fruit, vegetables and other treats as the fresh produce uppingham farmers market comes to town.

Many hours can be spent whiling away the day in the abundance of Uppingham coffee shops, bistros or pubs. For a hot chocolate and a slab of cake the size of your head, a visit to Don Paddy’s is a must. For evening meals the Lake Isle restaurant offers an intimate setting with an exciting menu of dishes. And if you want to tell friends you’ve had a pint (or two) at the highest pub in Rutland, then a stop-off at the Exeter Arms will round off a weekend of good food and drink.

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Where to Walk in Uppingham

It’s surprising how many steps you can clock up just by simply meandering around the town, dashing in and out of the shops and walking to the cake counter and back. But following the Uppingham Heritage Trail is another great way to see all the historic sights in one foul swoop. The trail ticks off 20 spots including the post office, railway station, the town hall and Uppingham School.

For us, a weekend well spent isn’t quite complete without an opportunity to pull on your wellington boots and take a stroll through the fields. And a good walk in the great outdoors is one of the reasons we love the countryside. From brisk three mile routes to five hour hikes, the Uppingham walks are plentiful. Perhaps one of the most well-trodden routes (and not just because it starts and ends at the Exeter Arms) is a nine mile hike that takes in views of nearby Eyebrook Reservoir. The town’s tourist information is a hub of helpful information and various maps and official walking routes can be found inside. But sometimes, a little self exploration is the best path to follow.

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Things to Do Near Uppingham

While we wouldn’t blame you for wanting to enjoy the entire weekend in Uppingham itself, its idyllic location in the county of Rutland means it’s surrounded by many places of interest.

Just a 10 mile drive away is Rutland Water where you can hire bikes, walk and in the warmer months enjoy a range of water sports. The reservoir is a 23 mile route all the way around which includes the peninsula. Other shorter routes can be taken of course but a stop at Normanton Church is a must visit.

Other places to consider include Stamford where you’ll find Burghley House where the Burghley Horse Trials take place every year and is home to our very own Tom Joule’s favourite place to dine The George Hotel. Melton Mowbray, home to the famous Pork Pie, is a short drive away, as is Rockingham where you’ll find the castle which was built on the instruction of William the Conqueror.

Finally, you simply can’t not pay us a visit in the town of Market Harborough. As well as being the place where Joules came to be, like Uppingham, it’s a buzzing market town where many a weekend can be well spent.

These vibrant market towns are dotted all over Britain and offer a perfect blend of town and rural living. We could harp on all day about how many things there are to see and do in such places, but no matter how far we wander our heart will always remain in the British countryside.

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What to Wear for a Weekend in the Country

If you’ve got your trip to Uppingham booked, but you’re unsure what to pack in your weekend bag, we’ve got you covered with our countryside outfit ideas.

Like most towns in the British countryside, there’s no particular dress code in Uppingham unless you’re a student at the school. But it’s a place that offers the opportunity to really consider your style, should you want to and it’s that freedom that we love most about it.

When it comes to women’s country clothing, a pair of well-fitting jeans, a striped top and a trench coat creates the perfect weekend attire. Equally a dress, tweed or quilted jacket and women’s fedora hat would certainly never look out of place on the streets of this charming town. When venturing outside the realms of market square to enjoy the surrounding walks, opting for a pair of wellies is a sensible choice. If your visit takes place in the colder months then tall wellies will ensure maximum protection from mud and rain, while short wellies are a better call for the warmer months of the year.

Similarly for men’s country clothing, Uppingham is all about embracing a comfortable but cool aesthetic and no matter the time of year you’re visiting, layering is a simple way to achieve this. A well made sweatshirt paired with a quilted gilet is the perfect balance between country and contemporary. Well cut jeans or even a pair of chinos and leather Chelsea boots will polish off the look.