News that luxury hotel and restaurant brand Nobu is planning to open an outpost in England's smallest county, Rutland, has raised a few eyebrows. Whatever next? Nobu Cleethorpes?The uber-upmarket hospitality chain, part launched by Robert De Niro, is usually found in some of the world's most glamorous locations, including the likes of Malibu, Ibiza and Hawaii. There is only one other UK branch at current: London's rather grand Portman Square in Marylebone. This new East Midlands Nobu – with nearest cities being Peterborough, Nottingham and Leicester – hardly has the cachet of Paris, New York or Rome. Indeed, Eric Idle lampooned the county when he launched 1970s BBC comedy show Rutland Weekend Television, featuring 'Britain's smallest TV network'.But there's plenty of reason to ignore the naysayers.It's undeniable that the new hotel, restaurant and residences complex, which will be known as Nobu Woolfox, will be situated in the heart of one of England's most beautiful stretches of countryside.Rutland often features near the top of UK lists for happiness, health and life expectancy, and boasts one of the lowest crime rates in England.'Rutland offers a lifestyle that's becoming harder to find: beautiful undulating countryside, strong schools, attractive stone market towns and villages, and a real sense of community,' says Jan von Draczek, director of the Rutland branch of Fine & Country estate agents. 'Buyers also feel they get far more for their money here, compared with areas such as the Cotswolds, while still being well connected to London and the Midlands.'The new Nobu will be near Stamford, a Georgian town often compared to the Cotswolds on account of its natural beauty and charm. Uppingham is a historic market town with independent shops and prestigious schools Nobu's only current site in the UK is in London's Portman Square in MaryleboneRutland is also home to the traditional market towns of Uppingham and Oakham, which both offer attractive, historic architecture, inviting country pubs and restaurants, antique shops and boutiques.It's also a fine place for an education. Highly-regarded Uppingham School is in the area, with alumni including Stephen Fry, film director John Schlesinger and author Mark Haddon, while former Oakham School pupils include Matthew MacFadyen, Phil Spencer and Rick Stein.Also amongst Rutland's rolling hills lies Rutland Water, a huge reservoir with a 1,000-acre nature reserve and 23-mile scenic walking and cycling trail.'Villages close to Rutland Water continue to attract attention, particularly places like Manton, Exton and Edith Weston,' says Mr von Draczek. 'Buyers are also starting to look more closely at villages such as Seaton, North Luffenham and Market Overton, where there's still good value compared with the county's best-known spots. Barrowden is a village that commands serious interest and demand.'Rutland lies just off the A1, roughly halfway between London and York, while the A47 passes through the county, giving easy access to Leicester and Peterborough.Oakham and Stamford have direct rail routes to Birmingham, Peterborough and Stansted Airport. Trains to London, via Peterborough or Leicester, take around 90-120 minutes.'Rutland is a beautiful county, centrally located with excellent transport links and excellent leisure activities, including golf and sailing, and highly regarded state and private schooling options,' says Tom Wilson at agents King West.So perhaps Nobu co-founder De Niro knows a good spot when he sees it. And for those wanting to get a slice of this quintessentially British, bucolic life, we've collated a selection of some of the best properties in the county – with prices ranging from more affordable £250,000 homes to the £3.5million properties of dreams.Uppingham This three-bed ironstone townhouse was built in 1895 as part of Uppingham School The sitting room possesses large, double-height windows to allow plenty of natural light'Uppingham is a real gem,' says Mr von Draczek. 'It has a rare mix of charm and quality. It's a proper historic market town with independent shops, really great restaurants and beautiful period property, but it still feels relaxed and lived-in rather than overly commercial. The presence of Uppingham School also gives the town a unique atmosphere and helps support demand.' This immaculate, three-bed ironstone townhouse, built in 1895 as part of Uppingham School's facilities in the heart of the town's conservation area, sits behind electric gates.The dining room and sitting room have impressive double-height ceilings, and a gallery above, while the private, west-facing terrace garden offers all-day sun.The garage and adjoining office/studio room could possibly be converted to a self-contained annexe.Buy it: Available with Fine and Country from £750,000.Wing This two-bedroom property in the village of Wing is a converted chapel The house has a bright, contemporary feel, but still retains plenty of original featuresClose to Oakham, Stamford and Rutland Water, Wing is one of Rutland's most sought-after villages. As well as lovely 17th-century ironstone cottages, it has historic churches dating back to the 12th-century.This stylishly renovated and converted former chapel offers two bedrooms, and while retaining many original character features, has a light and bright contemporary open-plan feel.An internal balcony overlooks the sitting room, and numerous furnishings have been incorporated into the build to maximise space saving.Buy it: Available with Moores Estate Agents from £250,000.North Luffenham With three reception rooms and two kitchens, this cottage is ideal for a large familyThis beautiful five-bedroom country cottage is full of charm and is constructed in local stone beneath a Collyweston slate roof. It retains numerous period features including quoins, stone mullioned windows, exposed beams and original leaded panes.Located in one of Rutland's most desirable villages, just south of Rutland Water, it has three reception rooms, and with two kitchens allows the possibility of a self-contained wing ideal for guests, dependent relatives, or multi-generational living. It is set within mature cottage gardens for long afternoon strolls.Buy it: Available with Savills from £865,000.Oakham For £1.25m, this modern build represents a unique opportunity in the village of Oakham The house offers an open-plan kitchen/dining/living room with a vaulted double-height ceiling'The presence of a train station connecting East to West, Peterborough to Birmingham is a real plus for Oakham,' says Mr Wilson at King West. 'It has a market town feel with independent shops and good eating options.' This unique property was designed by an award-winning architect, and it shows. A bespoke, artisan-crafted green oak building, it offers flexible living accommodation across two spacious floors, with an impressive open-plan kitchen/dining/living room with a vaulted double-height ceiling. With front and rear gardens, a decked dining terrace, a lawn, stream and paddock with a fruit tree orchard, this is the place for a delightful rural lifestyle.Buy it: Available with King West for £1.25million.Empingham For a more cosy feel, this one-bed stone cottage is perfect for anyone not needing lots of spaceIncluding a village shop, junior school, doctor's surgery, public house, churches and easy access to Rutland Water. It's very attractive, too, with handfuls of stone-built cottages dating back to the 1600s dotted around. This characterful one-bed stone cottage sits within the heart of the village, and has a wealth of original features to add character, including exposed stonework, original tiled flooring and a vaulted ceiling, and a spacious open-plan kitchen/dining room.There is also a large enclosed rear garden, and a converted detached outbuilding with power offering excellent flexibility as a home office, studio or garden room.Buy it: Available with £299,000 with Moores Estate Agents.Manton This Grade II-listed house has an impressive ten bedrooms as well as a library and an orangeryFor the price of a one-bed flat in central London you could get this fabulous Grade II-listed Georgian and Jacobean residence with a fine early 18th century façade but dating back to 1688. Situated in the charming village of Manton, close to Rutland Water, in addition to ten bedrooms it has a drawing room, dining room, library, orangery, study, games room, office suite and cellar.Outside are landscaped gardens and grounds, a swimming pool, gazebo and courtyard garden.Buy it: Available with Fine and Country for £2.25million.Braunston This property boasts a stable block and a paddock, making it ideal for horse enthusiasts The house's open-plan kitchen and dining room benefits from plenty of natural lightThis Grade II-listed, 17th-century country home located in the pretty, sought-after village of Braunston is built of Ironstone under a thatched and Collyweston slate roof. Just 2.5 miles from Oakham, it combines period charm with modern convenience, and has features such as a snug, dining room, study and playroom, and a versatile mezzanine with a gym and studio area.Not only that, but there is a self-contained two-bedroom cottage and equestrian facilities including a stable block and paddock land.The village is known for the 'Braunston Goddess', situated behind 12th-century All Saints Church, a weathered stone carving thought to date from the Neolithic or Bronze Age.Buy it: Available with King West for £3.5million.Morcott This five-bedroom house contains original features such as several fireplaces and ceiling beamsDating back to 1686, this five-bedroom Grade II-listed former farmhouse has four reception rooms and an original barn with an adjoining store, with potential for conversion or alternative use, subject to the necessary planning consents.Extended over time, predominantly during the Victorian era, the house has plenty of original features including numerous fireplaces, exposed stonework, ceiling beams, window seats and traditional flagstone and quarry tile flooring.Its mature rear garden has secluded seating areas and an exceptional variety of shrubs, bushes and specimen plants. Picturesque Morcott's historic roots go back to the 1086 Domesday Book.Buy it: Available with Murray Estate Agents for £595,000.