Exploring Stamford: A Perfect Day in Lincolnshire

Monday March 31, 2025

Another glorious blue day. Honestly, they just keep getting better.

This morning we’re off to Stamford to see Sammy and Dave and (last but absolutely not least) the always cute Teddy Roo.

The first stop is Hambleton’s Bakery in Exton. We pick up some crusty bread to take to Sammy’s as well as some sourdough and English (toast) muffins to take back to the cottage. We also share something called a Lincolnshire Pippin. Essentially, it’s a terrine of ham hock, stilton cheese and apple puree encased in an apple-shaped pastry. Very tasty.

Onto Stamford, which is, quite possibly, the most beautiful town we’ve visited in England. As Sarah would say, ten out of ten, no notes. It’s picture-book, postcard, chocolate-box perfect. It’s no wonder it appears on so many of those Britain’s prettiest high street lists; it deserves its place on them all. If you haven’t been, go immediately… actually don’t … forget I said any of that. It’s a dreadful place, don’t visit ever.

Sammy took us for a guided walk around town, and a better guide it was impossible to imagine. I love a walking tour with fun facts, and Sammy knew them all. I took so many photos and it’s impossible to choose between them, so here goes. Sorry not sorry.

The Mid-Lent fair was on, and many of the streets were clogged with fairground attractions. The annual tradition of the fair has its roots in Saxon times (we’re talking 942AD-ish), but was granted a charter by King John in the 13^th century. Back then, it was all about the wool and cloth and trading of these; now it’s all about the rides.

Anyways, the town, with its stone Georgian architecture, is a film set brought to life. I love it. We love it. And we totally get why Sammy and Dave love it.

Back at their place we have my favourite sort of lunch – all lovely picky things with local cheese (Lincolnshire Poacher), pork pies from Mowbray Melton, Lincolnshire plum bread and lots more. It’s all lovely and I ate way too much.

After lunch, David drove us out to Burghley House, a grand 16^th-century country house. Originally built by William Cecil, Elizabeth I’s courtier and Lord High Treasurer, it’s still in the family, and direct descendants still live there. You might also recognise it as Rosings in Pride and Prejudice.

We don’t go inside, but wander around a tad before walking back into town – via a fantastic antiques centre (and we all know how much I love an antiques centre). I spy some Danish enamel that I must include in the next Philly Barker novel and Sammy bought a gorgeous cake knife that will style up beautifully for her recipe pics.

We meet Dave here and walk down to The George (where the ladies’ loos are next level) for a final beer. The George is one of those destination hotels that I’d love to stay in for a night or two. The friends we stayed with in Dorset said they’ve spent a few Christmases there (and will be doing so again this year). I can just imagine how magical that would be.

All too soon, it’s time to say a massive thank you and wave Sammy and David goodbye. The day has flown by.

After such a fantastic lunch, dinner is Thai Green Curry soup from Waitrose with sandwiches.

We’ve both decided we love Lincolnshire and get why some refer to it as the “Notswolds”. It’s got that chocolate box beauty without the tourists and the celebrities (I was going to say another word, but remembered I’m a lady). As for Stamford, it’s stunning, and we look forward to visiting again someday. The best bit, though, was catching up with friends – and marvelling at how Teddy Roo has grown.

The stats…

Temperature: 2-16 Glorious, simply glorious

Miles travelled: 38

*Even though we work in kms in Australia, all signage in the UK is in miles, so that’s what I’m going with.

These posts are taken directly from my travel journal … you can find the series here.