Stamford

Why Live in Stamford?

Schools

Primary Education:

• St Gilbert’s Church of England Primary School – One of the area’s top-performing primary schools, with excellent SATs results and a warm, supportive ethos.
• Bluecoat Primary School – A popular and inclusive school within the town, offering a strong academic curriculum and community links.
• Stamford Welland Academy Primary Unit (SWAP) – Recently improved and growing in popularity, providing a creative learning environment.
• The Malcolm Sargent Primary School – Located on the town’s north side, it’s one of the largest and most sought-after primaries, known for high academic standards and modern facilities.
• St Augustines Primary School – A catholic voluntary academy built on christian values and popular to the east of Stamford.
• St Georges Primary School – St George's mission statement is to 'nurture our families with opportunities, innovation and love'.

Secondary Schools:

• Stamford Welland Academy – A co-educational secondary school with academy status, part of the Cambridge Meridian Academies Trust. Rapidly improving, with a strong emphasis on personal development and vocational pathways.
• Casterton College - This school is situated in the beautiful county of Rutland, close to the historic town of Stamford. Founded in 1939, it is proud of our long record of success, over nearly a century.

Independent Schools:

• Stamford School and Stamford High School (now operating under the unified name Stamford, as of 2023) – These prestigious independent schools have merged to form a fully co-educational institution offering excellent education from ages 2–18. The school is well-regarded for its academic achievement, sports, drama, music, and outdoor education.
• Stamford Junior School – Part of the Stamford Schools group, providing independent preparatory education for children aged 2–11, with excellent facilities and pastoral care.

Leisure & Recreation

• Burghley House & Parkland – A world-renowned Elizabethan stately home on the edge of Stamford. Open to the public with expansive parklands, sculpture gardens, seasonal events (including Burghley Horse Trials), and a fantastic café. Popular for walks, picnics, and family days out.
• Stamford Leisure Pool – Offers a 25m swimming pool, learner pool, flume, and well-equipped gym.
• Stamford Arts Centre – The town’s cultural hub. Housed in a beautiful historic building, it includes a cinema, theatre, exhibition space, and café bar. Hosts regular performances, classes, and lectures.
• The Meadows – A green space running along the River Welland, perfect for walking, picnicking, and community events like fairs and food markets.
• Rutland Water – Just 15 minutes away, perfect for cycling, sailing, birdwatching, and water sports.
• Tennis & Golf – Stamford Tennis Club and Burghley Park Golf Club offer excellent facilities and active memberships.

Pubs & Restaurants

Pubs & Inns:

• The George Hotel – One of England’s most iconic coaching inns, known for its fine dining, ivy-covered façade, roaring fires, and charming courtyard bar.
• The Tobie Norris – A rustic and historic pub housed in a 13th-century building, offering fabulous food in a casual dining experience with craft beers in a cosy, character-filled setting.
• The Crown Hotel – A centrally located fabulous hotel with a busy bar and seasonal menu using local ingredients. The hotel boasts one of the most stunning courtyard gardens and 28 individually designed bedrooms as well as a conference room for businesses.
• The Bull & Swan – Recently won Best Town Pub - Great British Pub Awards 2024 offering a gastro pub style environment with great food and real ales as well as 9 luxury bedrooms and a beautiful kitchen garden.
• The William Cecil - A historic hotel which lies within The Burghley Estate, the hotel offers a range of individually furnished bedrooms, Milly’s neighbourhood bistro and a great location for weddings with ample parking and a beautiful garden.

Restaurants & Cafés:

• The Slanted Door - This stunning 16th century building with a modern bar, selling cocktails, an extensive fine wine list, draught beers and delicious small plates. Upstairs you’ll find a stylish fine dining restaurant serving exquisite dishes put together by Dameon Clarke, a renowned local chef. Enjoy a cocktail on the balcony overlooking the Stamford Meadows.
• Zada – A stylish Turkish restaurant offering mezze, grilled meats, and Middle Eastern flavours in a vibrant setting.
• The Mad Turk – An award-winning restaurant serving Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine with excellent service and atmosphere.
• The Cosy Club – Housed in a former parcel office, this eclectic and theatrical space is perfect for brunch, cocktails, or evening meals.
• The Orangery at Burghley – A delightful restaurant and café located within the Burghley estate’s house with stunning views of the house and garden, ideal for a post-walk lunch or afternoon tea.
• Central Café & Kitchen – Stamford's oldest cafe established in the turn of the 18th Century, the building is a stunning historic setting for a spot of lunch or afternoon tea.
• Fika – A great local independent offering amazing modern brunches, baked goods and coffees.

Cafés & Bakeries:

• Scandimania Coffee House – Artisan coffee and pastries with Scandi style.
• The Blonde Beet – A creative vegetarian café with a loyal following.
• The Yard Café – A modern café with outdoor seating and a great atmosphere.
• Stamford Country Lounge – A centrally located cafe and lunch spot serving the most incredible afternoon teas.

Transport Links

By Rail:

• Stamford Station – Well located and offering regular direct services to:
• Peterborough (~14 minutes) – From there, fast trains to London King’s Cross (~50 minutes)
• Leicester (~55 minutes)
• Birmingham New Street (~2 hours)
• Cambridge (via Ely, ~1hr 30)

By Road:

• A1 (Great North Road) – Runs close to Stamford, connecting to Peterborough, Grantham, and London.
• A43 & A1175 – Provide good access to Northampton, Corby, and Spalding.
• Stamford is approximately:
• 20 mins to Peterborough
• 40 mins to Leicester
• 50 mins to Cambridge
• 1 hr 45 mins to Central London by car

By Bus:

• Stamford Bus Station offers services to:
• Peterborough
• Oakham
• Uppingham
• Oundle
• Bourne
• Services operated by Centrebus, Delaine, and Stagecoach

Airports Nearby:

• East Midlands Airport – ~1 hour
• Stansted Airport – ~1 hour 30 minutes
• Luton Airport – ~1 hour 15 minutes

By Bike & Foot:

• Stamford is a walkable town, with riverside and countryside paths in every direction.
• Cycle routes connect to the nearby villages and to Rutland Water.

Community & Events

Stamford enjoys a lively community calendar and strong cultural scene:

• Stamford Georgian Festival – A biennial celebration of the town’s 18th-century heritage with markets, music, and costumed parades.
• Stamford Shakespeare Company – Performs summer theatre in the open-air Tolethorpe Hall, a stunning setting and a regional treasure.
• Stamford Mid-Lent Fair – One of the largest street fairs in England, held each March.
• Christmas Festival & Light Switch-On – A magical event with stalls, carols, and festivities throughout the town centre.
• Monthly Farmers’ Markets – Offering local produce, cheeses, meats, and artisanal goods.

Conclusion

Selling in Stamford? Stamford is the quintessential English market town with a timeless aesthetic and a modern, vibrant lifestyle. Whether you’re raising a family, seeking cultural richness, or looking for a beautiful place to retire, Stamford offers an unmatched blend of community, architecture, schooling, and connectivity. Its proximity to countryside, coupled with excellent transport links and town-centre amenities, makes it one of the most desirable places to live in the East Midlands and beyond.