Leeson Family Butchers and Hoagies of Oakham.
Whether you are a local or just passing through Rutland’s county town, a visit to Oakham High Street offers a masterclass in traditional British food.
Two businesses, standing side-by-side, represent the very best of the local food scene:
Leeson Family Butchers and Hoagies of Oakham.
Leeson Family Butchers: Award-Winning Excellence
Established in 1998 by Steve Leeson, this traditional butcher is famous far beyond the borders of Rutland.
While they offer a full range of high-quality, free-range meats including beef, lamb, and specialty sausages—they are perhaps best known for their Melton Mowbray Pork Pies.
The shop is a serial winner at the British Pie Awards, consistently taking home "Show Champion" and Gold awards.
Their pies are still hand-raised in the shop, using traditional methods that have earned them a loyal following.
Visit them at: 31 High Street, Oakham
Website:
Located right next door (and often working in tandem with the butchers), Hoagies is the go-to destination for a high-quality lunch in Oakham.
Owned by Andrea Leeson, this sandwich shop takes "fresh and local" seriously.
Because of their close family connection to the butchers next door, you can guarantee that the meats in their sandwiches, paninis, and famous sausage rolls are of the highest caliber.
Whether you’re looking for a classic ham salad baguette, a hot jacket potato, or one of their legendary homemade cakes, the queue out the door at lunchtime tells you everything you need to know about the quality.
Visit them at: 31b High Street, Oakham
Website:
Together, these two shops form a culinary anchor on the High Street. They represent a vanishing breed of family-run businesses that prioritize quality and community over mass production. If you're planning a picnic at nearby Rutland Water or just need a proper British lunch, these two are essential stops.
