Stamford Holidays Guide

Centre of Stamford Planning a self-catering break in the Midlands and want to stay in or visit a charming historic town with plenty of history and interesting things to look at? If so, then Stamford would be an excellent 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. You will need somewhere to stay and we recommend renting a holiday cottage because of the comfort and flexibility that it allows.

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Best Things to See and Do on a Holiday in Stamford

Marvel at Stamford’s Historic Buildings,
Visit Historic Burghley House,
Shopping & Dining Out in Stamford

Stamford's fine stone buildings and cobbled streets have featured in certain period dramas and films. There are a few renovated cottages that now serve as holiday lets.

Marvel at Stamford’s Historical Architecture

Stamford's fine stone buildings and cobbled streets have featured in certain period dramas and films. There are a few renovated cottages that now serve as holiday lets.

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.

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.

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.

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.


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

Shopping and Dining Out 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.

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.

Have the Best of Holidays in Stamford

Whether you want to rent a romantic retreat, a townhouse for a group of friends or family, or a log cabin close to Stamford, we trust that you've found our guide to this charming town helpful and hope you have your best holiday yet in this part of Lincolnshire.