Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Puglia Italy - Matera
Italy • 8 days, 7 nights
Southern Italy: Castles, Caves & Coastal Treasures in Puglia
from
Turkmenistan Gates of Hell Darvaza crater
Turkmenistan • 10 days, 9 nights
Turkmenistan & the Gates of Hell
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Pinal Airpark
Note the chrysanthemum crests.
Hachiman Bridge
Clarendon War Memorial.
Clarendon War Memorial
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Chefs Aruss Lerlerstkull and Atcharaporn Kiatthanawat lean into regional traditions.
Charmgang
The khao soi at Gedhawa comes with a rich, coconutty broth.
Gedhawa
At Nai Mong Hoi Thod, the oyster omelet is worth waiting for.
Nai Mong Hoi Thod
In this deceptively simple dish, top-quality ingredients are paramount.
Kor Panich
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Haleakalā National Park’s summit region, shrouded in the pre-dawn fog.
Beware the Legends Behind These National Park Souvenirs
3 days ago
For Aguilar-Carrasco, nature is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all life.
How Can National Parks Be Made Accessible to All? AO Wants to Know.
4 days ago
Podcast: Finding ‘The Great Gatsby’ in Louisville
5 days ago
Here’s which treats you can safely lug home without risking a fine.
Dear Atlas: What International Food Can I Legally Bring Into the U.S.?
6 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United Kingdom England Oakham Oakham Castle Horseshoes

Oakham Castle Horseshoes

Hundreds of huge, centuries-old horseshoes adorn the walls of this nontraditional 12th-century castle.

Oakham, England

Added By
Gareth Hacking
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
The east wall.   Gareth Hacking / Atlas Obscura User
The east wall.   Gareth Hacking / Atlas Obscura User
The west wall.   Gareth Hacking / Atlas Obscura User
Queen Elizabeth II’s horseshoe.   Gareth Hacking / Atlas Obscura User
The Prince Regent’s horseshoe.   Gareth Hacking / Atlas Obscura User
The castle’s exterior.   Gareth Hacking / Atlas Obscura User
  Lana Velkov / Atlas Obscura User
  Lana Velkov / Atlas Obscura User
Gate detailing of a horseshoe   Lana Velkov / Atlas Obscura User
  Steve 55 / Atlas Obscura User
  Lana Velkov / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Oakham Castle certainly doesn’t look like your typical castle. Nonetheless, the squat stone building, which was originally the Great Hall to a larger complex, still holds intriguing treasures within its 12th-century walls.

More than 230 ornate, oversized horseshoes adorn the castle’s interior. They’re the result of a unique custom associated with the castle that still exists today. According to the tradition, when a peer of the realm visits the town of Oakham, he or she must give a horseshoe to the Lord of the Manor.

It’s unclear why or when the tradition began. It’s believed to be connected with Walchelin de Ferriers, for whom the castle was built. The Ferrers came from a part of Normandy known for its ironwork, and the family name derives from the French word for “farrier.” The family’s symbol is even a horseshoe.

Early on, the horseshoes were nailed to the castle gate and door, rendering many corroded and difficult to read. The oldest surviving horseshoe on display was presented by Edward IV in 1470 after his victory at the nearby Battle of Losecoat Field. Over time, the horseshoes became more ornate, with their tops adorned with a coronet denoting the rank of their donor. The tradition continues to this day, with the most recent being presented by the Duchess of Cornwall in 2014.

Related Tags

Castles Tradition Rites And Rituals Horses Shoes

Know Before You Go

Entry to the castle is free. It's closed on Tuesdays. There's free parking in the grounds right outside the castle, but if it's open, make sure you go in and let a member of staff know that you've parked there.

Community Contributors

Added By

Gareth Hacking

Edited By

Virtual Tours and Sound Walks, Steve 55, Lana Velkov

  • Virtual Tours and Sound Walks
  • Steve 55
  • Lana Velkov

Published

March 18, 2019

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.oakhamcastle.org/
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oakham_Castle
  • https://www.britainexpress.com/attraction-articles.htm?article=19
Oakham Castle Horseshoes
Castle Grounds
Market Pl
Oakham, England, LE15 6DR
United Kingdom
52.670917, -0.727425
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

The Singapore

Rutland, England

miles away

Normanton Church

Normanton, England

miles away

Woolsthorpe Manor

Lincolnshire, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of England

England

United Kingdom

Places 2,199
Stories 144

Nearby Places

The Singapore

Rutland, England

miles away

Normanton Church

Normanton, England

miles away

Woolsthorpe Manor

Lincolnshire, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of England

England

United Kingdom

Places 2,199
Stories 144

Related Places

  • Darshan of Athi Varadar at Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple.

    Kanchipuram, India

    Athi Varadar Idol

    An effigy of the deity emerges from a temple's water every 40 years.

  • The Loony Dook.

    Edinburgh, Scotland

    The Loony Dook

    Every New Year's Day, locals don gaudy costumes and dive into the frigid Firth of Forth.

  • Zozobra.

    Santa Fe, New Mexico

    Burning of Zozobra

    Setting this massive marionette aflame rids Santa Fe of doom and gloom for another year.

  • Revelers are often noted for their glamour and artistry.

    Brooklyn, New York

    Coney Island Mermaid Parade

    The famed amusement district marks the beginning of summer with a wild procession of nautical creatures.

  • Zurich, Switzerland

    Oepfelchammer

    A 200-year-old tavern challenges guests to finish a glass of wine while hanging from a ceiling beam.

  • The champagne shower.

    Tartu, Estonia

    Karl Ernst von Baer Statue

    Once a year, local students "clean" this statue with a champagne shower.

  • Cathedral bell marks the throw in

    Orkney, Scotland

    Kirkwall Ba

    Twice a year, this Orkney town hosts a rowdy game of medieval mob football.

  • 2018 World Champion Nakotah LaRance.

    Phoenix, Arizona

    World Championship Hoop Dance Contest

    This unique competition celebrates an American Indian and Canadian First Nation cultural tradition.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.