Estate & Letting Agents In Wing

Wing is a small village in Rutland, England’s smallest county, lying on the brow of a hill overlooking the River Chater valley. The village sits approximately 6 miles south of Oakham, 3 miles north-east of Uppingham, and a few miles south of Rutland Water.

Home to around 300 people, Wing has Norse origins: its name, first recorded as “Wenge” in the 12th century, derives from the Old Norse word “vengi” meaning field.

The village is best known for its turf maze, one of only eight surviving examples in England. Cut into the grass beside Glaston Road, this 40-foot diameter labyrinth probably dates from medieval times, with a design similar to the pavement maze at Chartres Cathedral.

Local tradition suggests that penitents would walk the maze on their knees, stopping to pray at certain points. By the 19th century, the maze had become a feature of village festivities, with the Leicester and Rutland Directory of 1846 describing it as “an ancient maze, in which the rustics run at the parish feast.”

Property styles: Wing’s housing stock is defined by its 17th-century stone cottages, built from honey-coloured ironstone quarried at nearby Barnack and Clipsham. Many properties feature Collyweston stone slate roofs, a traditional material from the nearby Northamptonshire quarries.

The village contains a good variety of period buildings, including several large houses with notable histories. Some thatch-roofed cottages can also be found. More modern properties are limited, reflecting Wing’s status as a small, conservation-conscious village of around 300 people.

Best streets: Top Street forms the main thoroughfare through the village, where many of the finest stone cottages are located. Properties overlooking the Chater valley on the northern slope of the village enjoy open views across the surrounding countryside.

Glaston Road, near the turf maze, also features attractive period homes.

Wing is a small village where a car is the most practical means of transport, though bus services and nearby rail links provide connections to larger towns and cities.

• Car & road: Wing sits approximately 3 miles north-east of Uppingham and 6 miles south of Oakham. The A6003 runs nearby, connecting Kettering to Oakham via Uppingham. The A1 is accessible to the east of the county, providing routes to Peterborough (approximately 25 miles) and onwards to London. Leicester lies around 27 miles to the west via the A47.
• Bus: Wing has limited bus services. The RF1 service operated by Blands connects Melton Mowbray, Oakham, Uppingham, and Corby, with some journeys passing through or near Wing. Services run Monday to Saturday, though frequency is limited. Uppingham offers more regular connections to Leicester via the 747 service.

Wing sits within easy reach of Rutland Water and numerous historic attractions. The area offers a good variety of places to explore for those considering making Wing their home.

• Wing Turf Maze – One of only eight surviving turf labyrinths in England, this 40-foot medieval maze beside Glaston Road has been a village feature for centuries. Walk its winding path and connect with a tradition that may date back to medieval monks.
• Rutland Water Nature Reserve – This internationally important wetland lies a few miles north of Wing. Managed by the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust, it covers 1,000 acres and hosts over 25,000 waterfowl, including ospreys reintroduced through the Rutland Osprey Project.
• Normanton Church – This striking landmark appears to float on Rutland Water’s southern shore. Saved from flooding when the reservoir was created, the 14th-century church now serves as a museum and wedding venue.
• Oakham Castle – Britain’s finest example of Norman domestic architecture, this 12th-century Great Hall displays over 240 ceremonial horseshoes donated by royalty and peers of the realm. Entry is free.
• Barnsdale Gardens – Created by television gardener Geoff Hamilton, these 8 acres of gardens near Oakham feature over 30 individual garden areas, from formal designs to woodland plantings.

Rutland has a working population of around 24,000 people and an unemployment rate of 2.5%, well below the national average.

The largest employment sectors are education (12.2%), public administration and defence (12%), and wholesale and retail (11.6%). Self-employment levels are slightly above national averages, reflecting the county’s rural economy and prevalence of small businesses.

Major employers in the county include Ministry of Defence establishments, HM Prison Stocken, the independent schools at Oakham and Uppingham, and Hanson Cement at Ketton. Rutland County Council is based in Oakham.

The visitor economy is increasingly important, with tourism attracting over 1.8 million visitors annually, generating £141 million and supporting around 1,700 jobs. Agriculture remains part of the local economy, though employment in farming has declined over recent decades.