A weekend in Stamford

A Georgian stone town, used as a film location, beside Burghley House

Independent UK guide
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Updated October 2026

Stamford is a beautiful limestone town on the River Welland, with five medieval churches, cobbled streets and elegant Georgian houses. It has been used as a location for many films and television dramas, including Middlemarch and Pride and Prejudice.

Burghley House, one of the greatest Elizabethan houses in England, lies at its edge, and the town has independent shops, pubs and a railway station with connections to Peterborough and Birmingham.

Best forHistory lovers, Food lovers, Walkers, Couples

Best time to goSpring to autumn. September brings the Burghley horse trials, and the town is calm in winter.

Typical budget (2 people, 2 nights)£320–£560, excluding travel

Getting therePeterborough: About 20 minutes by train.

Check prices for a weekend in Stamford

Plan your weekend in Stamford

Top attractions in Stamford

Burghley House

A magnificent Elizabethan mansion in a large park, with state rooms and a sculpture garden.

The town's churches and streets

Wander lanes of stone buildings and five medieval churches.

Browne's Hospital

A medieval almshouse with a fine hall and chapel.

The Welland meadows

Riverside walks beside the water meadows.

Stamford Museum

A small museum on the town's history.

Best things to do in Stamford

Guides to the activities most people plan a weekend around.

York Minster visit

York Minster is one of the largest medieval Gothic cathedrals in northern Europe. Allow 1 to 2 hours.

Afternoon tea in York

York has a long tradition of tea rooms, and an afternoon tea is a favourite part of a weekend there. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours.

Cotswolds pub lunch walk

A gentle riverside walk between Upper Slaughter and Lower Slaughter is one of the Cotswolds' classic strolls, about a mile and a half each way along the River Eye, through meadows and past honey-coloured stone cottages. Allow 2 to 3 hours.

Best areas to stay in Stamford

The town centre

Close to shops, pubs and the churches.

By the river

Peaceful, with meadow walks.

Burghley or Easton on the Hill

Quiet villages nearby.

Best hotels in Stamford

Prices for a double room in Stamford typically fall around £90–£150 a night in this price band. Guesthouses and B&Bs are usually the best value, while boutique hotels and inns with rooms suit a treat. Read recent guest reviews and use the filters on the booking sites for the things that matter to you.

Compare places to stay in Stamford

Prices change daily, so check a few sites. These are affiliate links.

Best time to visit Stamford

Spring to autumn. September brings the Burghley horse trials, and the town is calm in winter.

Seasons that suit Stamford well: spring, summer, autumn.

Estimated budget for a weekend in Stamford

Hotel or B&B, per night for two	£90–£150
Food and drink, per day for two	£55–£85
Activities and extras for the weekend	£30–£90
Estimated total, 2 people, 2 nights, excluding travel	£320–£560

Mid-range destination. These are rough 2026 estimates and vary by season and room type. Add the cost of getting there. For a personalised figure, use the BritBreaks finder.

Getting to Stamford

From Peterborough: About 20 minutes by train.
From Birmingham: About 1 hour 45 minutes by train or car.
From London: About 1 hour 15 minutes by train via Peterborough, or about 2 hours by car.

Journey times are rough guides. Check live train and road times before you travel.

A sample weekend in Stamford

Friday evening: Arrive, settle in and have dinner in The town centre.
Saturday: Start with Burghley House, then The town's churches and streets. In the afternoon, head to Browne's Hospital.
Sunday: Visit The Welland meadows or Stamford Museum, then head home.

Packing list for Stamford

Handy things people often forget. These are Amazon links, so prices and availability are set by Amazon.

More kit guides: Walking gear Wet-weather gear Dog travel gear

Good to know

Horse trials fill rooms, so check dates.
Parking in the centre is limited.
Check Burghley's opening times, which are seasonal.

Stamford weekend FAQs

Is Stamford worth visiting?

Yes. It is one of the most beautiful stone towns in England, with a big house and easy rail links.

Is Stamford in the Cotswolds?

No. It is in Lincolnshire, but its honey-coloured stone gives a similar feel.

More weekend ideas

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Historic colleges, riverside lawns and punting on the Cam

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England's largest reservoir by area, with ospreys and a famous cycle route

NorwichNorfolk

A medieval city of cobbled lanes, a castle and a cathedral

Explore more: Best weekend breaks from London · Best weekend breaks from Birmingham and the Midlands · Best romantic weekend breaks in the UK · Best UK weekend breaks by train

Browse popular weekend activities or use the BritBreaks finder to match a weekend to your budget and travel time.

Last reviewed October 2026. Please check opening times and prices with each attraction before you go. Report an error or share a tip.