Stamford is a traditional English rose of a town, elegantly built from honey coloured sandstone and arranged around the River Welland.  This was the first ever conservation area. with over 600 listed buildings in and around the town.  Stamford's 17th and 18th century stone buildings, older timber-framed ones, section of original town curtain walls, and numerous churches and traditional looking pubs have made this town a location scout's dream come true. It's been used in everything from BBC period dramas to The Da Vinci Code.  The best places to stay in Stamford will appeal to foodies, families and anyone looking for a rural escape, be it an adventurous or relaxing one.

Stamford's appeal doesn't come from a single headline attraction, this town is beautiful because of the sum of its parts:  a really pretty place to stroll around, with several old and impressive churches, numerous charming cafes and eateries, independent boutiques and galleries - and of course the great old pubs and coaching inns, some of which are now on our Gurus' list of the best places to stay in Stamford.  If you’re looking to make-up a to-see list, add the 15th Century William Browne Hospital and medieval almshouse; St Mary’s church, which has a wonky spire; and Burghley House, built by Queen Elizabeth I's chief advisor on 810 acres, and still home to the same family!  These days it’s a rather fancy stately home, with pavilions, cupolas, belvederes and grounds designed by Capability Brown.  

The best places to stay in Stafford, or in the pretty villages surrounding it, will be convenient bases for walkers and cyclists exploring the Rutland Water Nature Reserve, the Barnack Hills, and the Holes National Nature Reserve.  

The best time to visit Stamford is during its annual fair, which it’s been hosting in mid-Lent since the Middle Ages, and appears in Shakespeare’s Henry IV.  Stamford also hosts an annual Bull Run on the 13th of November, a tradition also dating back several hundred years.

The Best Places to Stay in Stamford

For a Country House Hotel

• The William Cecil is a small country house hotel on the Burghley Estate, close to the A1.  There are 27 rooms and suites, decorated in a range of styles so far-reaching that it suggests the hotel may have raided the estate’s collection of antiques - in a quirky way.  What the rooms are are is comfortable, though, with well laid-out bathrooms, some of which have walk-in showers and Roll-top baths.  The restaurant gets promising reviews too. 

Ancient Coaching Inns

• The Bull & Swan  is a fairly ancient coaching inn on the Burghley Estate.  It’s now run as a pub with rooms - just the seven of them, by the Hillbrooke Hotel group, but remains popular with the locals.  They may like the bistro food, which is very good, or the pretty courtyard garden, which must be lovely in the summer.  Our Gurus liked the decor too, which involved lots of white, against dark-wood antiques. 
• The George, Stamford is a quintessentially British stay: an old coaching inn in one of Lincolnshire’s prettiest historic towns.  From the sandstone exterior, to the wood-panelled dining room, and garden wall clad in wisteria, this is a charming place to stay.  Child and pet friendly, the hotel’s 47 rooms and suites offer plenty of variety, but all along the lines of ‘traditional luxury’, and there’s hearty fare and afternoon tea on offer.  

Best Pubs-with-Rooms

• The Crown, Stamford is another old coaching inn, with a cosy country pub atmosphere and 18 simply designed rooms.  The decor is traditional, without feeling overly fussy, and makes the most of the exposed stone and beamed ceilings.  Our Gurus enjoyed the lively restaurant.  Bring your pets too.  
• The White Hart is a rusty-feeling, 17th century-built inn in Ufford, a pretty village just outside Stamford.  The White Hart has 12 rooms, some decorated in contemporary style, and some more traditional, but all of them quite cosy - even though with four-poster beds.  The pub has a lovely garden, and a courtyard, and serves classic British pub food.  An affordable and charming escape.

Prefer a Private Apartment or Cottage?

• If you'd prefer the privacy of a self-catering option then browse through the wide variety available online with our partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

• Stamford has good rail connections to Birmingham, Leicester, Cambridge and Stansted Airport, and you can get to Stamford from London Kings Cross in just over an hour, travelling via Peterborough.  The trains from Stansted Airport run direct, and take around two hours.  East Midlands Airport is another good option if you need to fly in, it’s about an hour away by taxi or car, or about two hours by public transport.  
• If you want to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
• Stamford is a year-round destination, with plenty of sightseeing opportunities that will withstand all weathers.  If you’re hoping for fair days, the best seasons to visit will be late spring, summer and early autumn.  But there’s something to be said for a cosy pub fire on a winter’s day after a stalk around the grounds of a stately home.  

Still not sure where to stay?

• You could expand your search to include all of the best places to stay in Lincolnshire?
• or just Stamford’s neighbours? Corby? Market Deeping? or around the Rutland Water Nature Reserve?
•  Or you could refine your search by the kind of accommodation you’re looking for? and consider just the best pubs-with-rooms in Lincolnshire?
• Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.