This vibrant riverside community is frequently recognized as one of the top locations to reside in the UK – and it’s simple to understand why. Featuring elegant limestone structures, five ancient parish churches, meandering alleyways, and historically significant cobblestone streets that seem plucked from a movie set, Stamford makes an attractive spot for a short getaway.
Over 600 listed structures can be found within and near the town, covering periods from medieval times through to the Tudor, Georgian, and Victorian eras. Surrounding this region, part of the South Kesteven District, are numerous limestone and slate mines. The local stone used in Stamford lends it a distinctively Cotswold-like allure; however, tourist coaches do not frequent these streets.
The vibrant community atmosphere can be seen through its standalone boutiques, bars, and eateries, as well as bustling Friday and Saturday markets.
This year commemorates the 250th anniversary of
Jane Austen
’s birth with
Lincolnshire
honoring her heritage – featuring Stamford’s Burghley House, which served as Rosings Park ( Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s estate) in the 2005 adaptation of
Pride & Prejudice
(
Middlemarch
and
The Crown
have also been shot in Stamford).
See
visitlincoln.com/south-kesteven
and
discoversouthkesteven.com
for more information.
Getting there and around
Stamford railway station is serviced by CrossCountry trains, operating routes that connect various destinations.
Cambridge
In addition to Birmingham, there are direct train services to Stansted Airport. The railway station is conveniently close to the town center, making it easy to explore on foot. However, owning a car would be beneficial for visiting some of the surrounding sights.
Drop your bags
The
William Cecil Hotel
is located on the Burghley Estate, with construction dating back to the 18th century. The property honors William Cecil, Lord High Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth I, who constructed Burghley House. Visitors staying at the hotel can stroll through the grounds—designed by Capability Brown—to arrive at the mansion.
Anticipate thoughtfully crafted bedrooms that reflect the estate’s legacy, complete with rich wooden bed frames, a subtle color scheme of cream, dusty rose, and maroon, along with elegant touches like Roberts radios and sumptuous armchairs. Start your day at the sunlit and spacious Milly’s Bistro where you can enjoy both a buffet spread and an à la carte selection each morning; additionally, they offer a rotating dinner menu later in the week. Room rates begin at £159 per night for doubles, with one accommodation adapted for accessibility needs and six pet-friendly options available.
Ten minutes’ walk away is
The Bull & Swan
, which has nine rooms upstairs and a gastropub menu downstairs. Doubles from £89, dogs welcome in three of the rooms.
Browse the shops
Among Stamford’s independent businesses is the home and gift shop
Nook
, on Sheep Market, where you’ll find items such as quirky clocks and decorative mirrors. Book-lovers should head to Grade II listed
St Mary’s Antiquarian Books
on St Mary’s Hill.
Also on the Hill is
Stamford Music Shop
Specializing in selling musical instruments and accessories, this place stands out as one of the biggest sheet music retailers in Britain. It features numerous lanes and passageways brimming with cafes and stores perfect for leisurely afternoons.
Cosy cafes
If you’re looking for lunch options, try Stamford’s first plant-based café,
The Blonde Beet
in St Paul’s Street (open Tues-Sat). The menu changes monthly but might include a cauliflower and hazelnut arancini or sticky maple, chilli and sesame potatoes. It’s dog-friendly too.
For a brunch stop, High Street bakery
Fika
is where the locals flock. Menu highlights include a baklava French toast, and the lamb and rosemary potato pancakes. It gets very busy at weekends so be prepared to wait for a table if you haven’t booked. It’s worth it though.
The best spring days out
Head straight for
Burghley House
(open on Mondays through Sundays except Fridays, admission starts at £20 per adult for access to the house, gardens, and play areas). Constructed between 1555 and 1587 by William Cecil, this property was home to successive generations of his descendants. Today, Burghley House is under the stewardship of the Burghley House Preservation Trust. This residence stands as a fine specimen of Elizabethan architectural style, and merely visiting the grounds justifies the trip. Among its features, the Sculpture Garden houses large-scale animal sculptures and grand statues, whereas the Garden of Surprises boasts attractions such as a seashell cave, reflective labyrinth, and tranquil water fountains. Additionally, there’s an exciting adventure playground available.
Pre-dinner drinks
Spanning across three floors – and featuring a garden as well –
Paten & Co
At All Saints’ Place, you’ll find an 18th-century structure repurposed into a venue for drinks and meals. It offers a rotating selection of guest ales and ciders, such as pineapple cider, along with a comprehensive cocktail list.
In St Martin’s, you can immerse yourself in history and feel like you’ve stepped back in time at the
George Hotel
– If it’s sunny, there is a garden along with an enticing wine list. At The London Inn located on St John’s Street, you can discover 18 different beers and ciders on tap at the bar and enjoy a rooftop garden.
Dinner reservation
The Bull & Swan
is traditional and unpretentious, but it takes food seriously. The “Bull” is a double patty beef burger with bacon jam while the “Swan” is its signature crispy chicken thighs in sriracha (£20 each). Wild garlic pesto and courgette linguine (£18) is a tasty veggie option but save room for a gooey rocky road chocolate brownie (£10).
The best spring walks
Half an hour’s drive away is hilltop
Belvoir Castle
. From the Norman Conquest to the present day, the castle has been rebuilt several times. As the ancestral seat of the Dukes of Rutland, the Duke and Duchess still live there.
The gardens (entrance fee starting at £9) are ideal for a spring walk — discover the formal gardens, Japanese woodland, the Duchess Garden, and Hermit’s Garden. Additionally, there is a large adventure playground along with an accessible path available.
Across from the castle is the
Belvoir Retail Village
Located here is a farm shop, garden center, a bar themed around hot-air balloons, along with The Belvoir Bistro, situated inside renovated Victorian structures.
A 20-minute drive away from Stamford lies Grantham, home to a 12-acre site.
Easton Walled Gardens
(Open Wednesday through Sunday, adult admission £12). Nestled amidst the picturesque landscapes of Lincolnshire and Rutland, Easton has remained under the ownership and management of the Cholmeley family since 1561. Originally housing an ancient manorial residence, this site now attracts guests with its enchanting English gardens featuring rose fields, fruit orchards, a quaint cottage garden, a productive vegetable patch, wooded trails, and a grand yew archway.
Here are three facts about Stamford you may be unaware of…
1) In 1967, it became the first town in England and Wales to receive designation as a conservation area.
2) Every fall, it plays host to the renowned Burghley Horse Trials, a prestigious equestrian competition.
3) The name originates from “stony ford,” alluding to the initial crossing point over the River Welland, which flows through the town.
