Home

By Occupancy

  Late Availability

If you're on holiday in the Midlands and would like to visit a town with plenty of history and interesting things to look at, then Stamford would be a good choice.  It's often described as the finest stone town in England and indeed possesses a large proportion of handsome stone buildings, many dating back to the 15th century.   Visually, it's an extremely pleasing town, and a good location for anyone interested in architecture, photography or painting. Indeed J.M.W Turner was inspired sufficiently to paint a picture of the High Street, St. Martin's.

• Click >>> for a list of self-catering accommodation in the Midlands

Stamford's fine stone buildings and cobbled streets have featured in certain  period dramas and films.

The stone town of Stamford, Lincolnshire

Stamford is blessed with plenty of green areas. The grassy Town Meadows in the centre which the River Welland  flows through is a popular recreational spot for walking, sunbathing, feeding the plentiful ducks and swans, or just people watching. There is free parking to the west side of Bath Row, bordering the Meadows, but Pay & Display to the east.

The bridge over the River Welland	Relaxing beside the river in the Town Meadows

For walkers in Stamford

• There are footpaths from the Town Meadows to  Tinwell and Easton-on-the-Hill. 
• The Torpel Way footpath to Peterborough is signposted.
• The Jurassic Way through Northamptonshire begins here.

Burghley House and Park, Stamford

Stamford is famed for Burghley House and Park, built by Lord William Burghley during 1565-1587, which is found to the south of Barnack Road.  Entry to the park is free and well worth a visit. The extensive parkland offers good walking, a deer park with large herds of deer, some of which are tame enough to feed from your hand, and plenty of places to sit and picnic.  Cows wander through  a section of the park nearest the town which can be a touch unnerving for the unwary but you will find the views of the town from the park rewarding.

Feeding the deer in Burghley Park	Cows wandering through the park

Various events are held at Burghley House during the year, including horse trials and craft shows.  The Staterooms attract visitors with their collections of national art treasures and furniture, plus there is the usual cafe, gift shop and a sculpture garden. 

The house is open from April to October ( 11am - 4.30 pm) although the park is open all year round.

Anyone who appreciates architecture will enjoy walking around Stamford and admiring the many handsome stone buildings and cottages.  

The square in the high street and magnificent public library with portico.	Interesting old buildings line the streets

Stamford School is housed in impressive mellow stone buildings, there are 5 churches, a priory, and streets and streets of old cottages. Stamford Museum in Broad Street offers an insight to the town if you wish to delve into its history.  A Victorian Brewery, specialising in fruit beers, is open to visits and tastings in All Saints Street. Telephone Stamford Brewery on 01780 752186 to book visit.

Delightful olde-worlde houses and shops	One of 5 handsome stone churches

Tourist Information Centre in Stamford

The tourist information centre in Stamford is located in the Arts Centre in St. Mary's Street,  in a 17th century building which also houses a good cafe, cinema and art gallery,  where you will be able to obtain literature about the town and walking trails, or arrange guided walking tours.  

Places to eat in Stamford

You will find a good selection of places to eat, with everything from snack bars to pubs and hotels well-represented. 

 There are several places with outdoor seating, especially bordering the Town Meadows.  The Hotels on the B1081, High St. St. Martin's have outdoor tables in pleasant gardens during the summer.

Shopping in Stamford

The shopping centre and High Street offers a reasonable range of shops.  Supermarkets can be found on the outskirts of the town. Weekly markets are held on Friday in Broad Street, on Saturdays in Red Lion Square, plus there's a farmer's market, once a fortnight, on a Friday.

Self-catering Country Cottages in Lincolnshire, the Midlands and England

Find  country cottages and self-catering accommodation in Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, and England  within easy travelling distance of Stamford using the links below:

• Country cottages in England
• Country cottages in Lincolnshire
• self-catering Midlands

Click on the cockerel at the top left of the page to return to the Country Cottages home page and extra self-catering accommodation options at any time.