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The Victoria Hall

The Victoria Hall Oakham is a Grade II Listed Building, in the centre of Oakham High Street. It was built in 1858, and is a beautiful stone building with classical pilasters and pediments, frieze and cornicing. You may have passed this local landmark without noticing, unaware of the part it has played in Oakham’s social and cultural history.

Originally, it was called The Agricultural Hall, a place for local farmers to meet, but in 1899, it became a charity, with appointed trustees, and was renamed in honour of Queen Victoria. It soon flourished as a focus of entertainment and social life in Oakham and Rutland.

Generations of residents have fond memories of special events held here, usually in the 1st floor ballroom, a room filled with light from its beautiful high windows.

The main feature window being an arch. During grant-funded renovations in 2004, the 1950s ceiling was removed to reveal the original Victorian vaulted ceiling which you can see today. 

Many wedding receptions, balls and dinners have been held in this wonderful space over the years along with fitness, dance and theatre events.

The Hall currently hosts an art exhibition on the ground floor. Upstairs, the Victoria Hall hosts Rutland Art Society, U3A, dance and fitness classes, fairs and sales, discos, weddings, drama rehearsals and bingo.

Amongst the Hall’s claim to fame are a broadcast of BBC’s Question Time, the Rutland Dementia Conversation, with John Suchet. The hallis also home to large public meetings and consultations. 

One of the biggest challenges facing the Hall today is public perception. The Victoria Hall is a charity (charity number 220946) and rely heavily on grants and donations to improve and maintain the building and infrastructure. Whilst it is the main hall in the County town of Oakham, it is not funded by either the Town or County Council. Both do support the hall however, by booking the space for some of the functions or consultations.