Historically, Rutland was a disconnected portion of Nottinghamshire, cut off from the remainder of that county by Leicestershire. Its greatest length north to south is only 18 miles; greatest breadth east to west, 17 miles. The county was made a district of Leicestershire in the local government reorganisation of 1974, but it was restored by popular demand in 1999.
The two principal towns are Oakham, the county town, and Uppingham. At the centre of the county is a large reservoir, Rutland Water, which is an important nature reserve, serving as an overwintering site for wildfowl and a breeding site for Ospreys.
Eric Idle, of the Monty Python team, joined with Neil Innes, of the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, to create the television comedy series, Rutland Weekend Television in the 1970s.
Towns and villages