Stamford Area Guide

Stamford is widely regarded as one of the finest stone towns in England. It has a unique blend of history, niche shopping and stunning Georgian architecture – and won the supreme compliment from the Sunday Times newspaper as ‘Britain’s top place to live’ and was described as “architectural eye candy”. Proclaimed by Sir Walter Scott as “the finest stone town in England”, it was declared a conservation area in 1967 and has over 600 listed buildings of mellow limestone including five medieval churches.

It’s no wonder that the pretty facades of the town are favourites with film and television producers – Stamford was used as Meryton in the 2005 Pride & Prejudice film and has also appeared in Middlemarch, The Da Vinci Code and the Golden Bowl. It’s not surprising that visitors come from far and wide to experience Stamford’s charm, character and outstanding shopping and restaurants.

There is a thriving high street with coffee shops, restaurants and a vast range of retailers to tempt you. Our main street market is on a Friday with a smaller Saturday market and once a fortnight there is a Farmers’ Market.

The popular Town Trail takes you through Stamford exploring quaint passageways, main thoroughfares and market squares. Guided walks are also available with official guides. So whether the tranquil river walks, fine Georgian buildings or the more modern attractions captivate you, Stamford has something to charm everyone.

Highlights and attractions

Burghley House

On the outskirts of Stamford is one of the most impressive Elizabethan houses in England, Burghley House - with eighteen treasure-filled state rooms boasting a world-renowned collection of tapestries, porcelain and paintings. The stunning Garden of Surprises and sculpture garden complete the picture.

Burghley is one of the largest and grandest houses of the first Elizabethan Age. Built and mostly designed by William Cecil, Lord High Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth I, between 1555 and 1587, the main part of the House has 35 major rooms on the ground and first floors. There are more than 80 lesser rooms and numerous halls, corridors, bathrooms and service areas. The lead roof extends to three quarters of an acre, restoration and rebuilding of which began in 1983 and took nearly ten years to complete. Visitor facilities include the Orangery Restaurant, Gift Shop, Gardens of Surprise and beautiful walks around the historic parkland laid out by Capability Brown and still occupied by a herd of fallow deer.

Burghley House Gardens and Deer Park

Garden of Surprises - Step outside to embrace the enchantment and history in our Elizabethan water garden, inspired by the Garden built by the 1st Lord Burghley. Hidden from the outside, the gardens are waiting to reveal their surprises to those who enter.

Sculpture Garden - This intriguing and evolving garden, along with its ancient trees, provides a wonderful gallery for Burghley’s sculpture exhibitions. Annual themed shows of sculpture run from April to October and are specially curated to demonstrate the versatility of the medium.

South Gardens - These gardens offer a splash of colour and an injection of formality into Lancelot Brown’s arcadian and sweeping vistas. The gardens are dominated by some spectacular trees, yew hedges and topiary and the rose garden.

The Deer Park - Sweeping vistas through mature trees roll down to the spires of Stamford and with the backdrop of the House create the perfect canvas for open air concerts, wedding receptions, fairs and food markets, car rallies, sporting enthusiasts or maybe just a quiet stroll from our neighbouring town of Stamford.

Burghley Horse Trials

The world’s greatest 5* equestrian event acknowledged globally by leading riders as their ultimate competitive goal. A key event towards the end of the summer social season, Land Rover Burghley attracts fantastic crowds to witness exhilarating equestrian action alongside browsing the world renowned shopping avenues and enjoying the many other attractions and activities on offer in this truly stunning location of the Burghley estate, near Stamford.

Tickets go on sale at the end of April 2022 and regular updates will be posted on the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials website during the next few months.

Stamford Sights & Secrets Tours

Find regular guided walking tours of the stunning and historic Stamford, bringing the past to life for all ages. See the sights, discover the secrets and meet the faces behind the facade on the 90-minute stroll around the beautiful, unspoilt town. During this guided walk, you’ll discover Stamford’s cobbled streets, its gorgeous Georgian buildings and hear all sorts of tales of the great and not so good of this ancient town - it is people and their stories that make a place interesting!

St. Martins Antiques Centre

St Martins Antiques Centre is the perfect day out for antiques and interiors enthusiasts. Browse the extensive, beautiful collections curated by over seventy expert dealers.

Shop rare items and collectables seven days a week including Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian furniture plus arts and crafts, Art Deco, jewellery, watches, vintage clothing, glassware, ceramics and more. Discover designer items, pieces from all over the world and seasonal finds not to be missed.

Browne’s Hospital

The Hospital or almshouse was founded by William Browne, a rich wool merchant of Stamford, and built in 1475. The Hospital or Bedehouse - a name by which it was also known - was established as a home and a house of prayer for 10 poor men and 2 poor women, with a Warden and a Confrater, both of whom were to be priests. The main rooms that can be visited are the Common Room, the Chapel, the Staircase, the Audit Room and the Confraters' Room which contain original artefacts. The chapel retains important 15th century stained glass of national significance.

Stamford Shakespeare Company

Throughout the summer, the Stamford Shakespeare Company presents a season of classic and popular plays. The theatre is situated in the grounds of historic Tolethorpe Hall, where each summer thousands of people experience the magic of a visit to this unique venue. Enjoy a picnic in the glorious grounds, then take your seat, protected from summer showers, and see a stage like no other.

“One of the finest things to do this summer” - The Sunday Times “One of England’s premier alfresco theatre venues” - The Stage

All Saints Brewery

Melbourn Bros’ All Saints Brewery is located in the shadow of the 14th century All Saints Church in the heart of Stamford. The present brewery was established in 1825 although it is probable that activities connected with brewing and malting have been carried out on this site for centuries.

The antique steam brewing equipment at All Saints Brewery is used to make a range of handcrafted organic fruit beers. Visitors can enjoy the fruit beers at the Melbourn Bros’ pub at the brewery on All Saints Street.

Tallington Lakes Leisure Park

Discover this fabulous outdoor activity centre and retail shop on the Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire and Leicestershire county borders. There is a fantastic leisure home park too! The leisure homes have fabulous views of the 205 acres of clean spring water fed lakes; which are ideal if you want to water ski, wakeboard, jet ski, dinghy sail, windsurf, or canoe. You can even walk on the water in one of the water zorbs!

Off the water there is still plenty to do. The 100 metre dry ski slope gives you the opportunity to ski, snowboard and toboggan. The friendly staff will help you with your first steps to the mountains.

Barnack Hills & Holes National Nature Reserve

Arising from the rubble of a mediaeval quarry, Barnack Hills and Holes is one of Britain’s most important wildlife sites. Covering an area of just 22 hectares (50 acres), the grassy slopes are home to a profusion of wild flowers. This type of meadowland covered in wild flowers is now all too rare: half of the surviving limestone grassland in Cambridgeshire is found at the Hills and Holes. The area became a National Nature Reserve in 1976, and in 2002 it was designated as a Special Area for Conservation, to protect the orchid rich grassland as part of the Natura 2000 series of special wildlife sites throughout Europe.

Commuting

Stamford is situated in Lincolnshire, East Midlands approx. 2 hours from London, less than half an hour from Peterborough and stone throw away from Rutland. There are excellent road links with easy access to the A1 (providing access to London as well as to the North.), the A43 and the A47.

Stamford Train Station has regular rail service to Peterborough station which is on the East Coast high-speed direct line to London Kings Cross.

For international travel, three airports (London Stansted, London Luton and East Midlands Airports) are within one and half hour drive away.

Schools

Stamford has five state primary schools: Bluecoat, St Augustine's, St George's, St Gilbert's and Malcolm Sargent, and the independent Stamford Junior School, a co-educational school for children aged two to eleven.

Stamford School and Stamford High School are long-established independent schools with about 1,500 pupils between them. Stamford School for boys was founded in 1532, the High School for girls in 1877. They have run co-educational classes in the sixth form since 2000. Together with Stamford Junior School, they form the Stamford Endowed Schools.

The one state secondary school is Stamford Welland Academy (formerly Stamford Queen Eleanor School).

New College Stamford offers post-16 further education: work-based, vocational and academic; and higher education courses including BA degrees in art and design awarded by the University of Lincoln and teaching-related courses awarded by Bishop Grosseteste University. The college also offers a range of informal adult learning.

Other reputable school within commutable distance:

Witham Hall School (8.5 miles) - an independent boarding and day school for boys and girls aged 4 to 13 years.

Oakham School (11 miles) - an independent boarding and day school for 10–18 year olds.

Uppingham School (13 miles) - an independent boarding and day school for pupils 13-18

Oundle School (15 miles) - an independent boarding and day school for pupils 11-18