Muddy Stilettos


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-nbsp">WHY?&nbsp;</h2>



<p>If you go weak at knees for the honey stoned splendour of the Cotswolds, but less so the price tag, then Stamford is going straight to the top of your relocation list. This former wool town on the banks of the River Welland, offers an abundance of architectural eye candy – medieval churches, cobbled squares and passageways, Tudor pubs, Georgian buildings, gargoyles and elaborate door knockers. It&#8217;s the perfect blend of town and country. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat"><strong>EAT</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/da6a23f49de34ad4a7711b7c2a7a5391.jpeg" alt="Hambleton hall The Dining Room Michelin star fine dining" class="wp-image-78909" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/da6a23f49de34ad4a7711b7c2a7a5391.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/da6a23f49de34ad4a7711b7c2a7a5391-600x600.jpeg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/da6a23f49de34ad4a7711b7c2a7a5391-300x300.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/da6a23f49de34ad4a7711b7c2a7a5391-525x525.jpeg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/da6a23f49de34ad4a7711b7c2a7a5391-500x500.jpeg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>If it&#8217;s Michelin stars you seek, then <a href="http://www.hambletonhall.com">Hambleton Hall</a> is your fine dining destination with one star. The gastropubs scene is thriving too. Follow your nose for a masterclass in elevated pub food at <a href="https://www.theolivebranchpub.com/eat-drink">The Olive Branch</a> in Clipsham, ranked 60 in the Estrella Damn Top 100 Gastropubs or <a href="https://www.sixbellswitham.co.uk">The Six Bells</a> in Witham on the Hill. In Stamford town centre itself, we&#8217;re fans of <a href="https://www.kneadpubs.co.uk/the-tobie-norris/">The Tobie Norris</a> – an olde worlde pub that looks like it&#8217;s stepped out of Richard Curtis film. For special occasions, <a href="https://www.orbisstamford.co.uk/">Orbis</a> is a great spot for cocktails and sexy small plates and <a href="https://www.zadarestaurant.co.uk">Zada Restaurant</a> will spice up your night. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop">SHOP</h2>



<p>A buzzy high street with an abundance of much-loved indie shops. Grab your every day essentials from Askers Bakery, which bakes its loaves in a coal-fired oven, Nelsons Butchers (their pork pies are legendary), <a href="https://www.rennetandrind.co.uk">Rennet &amp; Rind</a> Cheesemongers (yes cheese is an essential) and hardware store Harrison &amp; Dunn. Then master the art of self gifting at old school department store <a href="https://sinclairsonline.co.uk/pages/about-us">Sinclairs</a>, <a href="https://smithersofstamford.com">Smithers</a> and <a href="https://www.katiecardew.com/">Katie Cardew</a> for supercool homeware, <a href="http://www.hoptroffandlee.co.uk">Hoptroff &amp; Lee</a> for antiques, Stamford Botanics if indoor plant heaven and <a href="http://walkersbookshops.co.uk">Walkers Bookshop</a> is a lovely hangout for literary lovers. Beauty addicts will go for broke in <a href="https://www.spacenk.com/uk/home">Space NK</a>, and <a href="https://www.energy-clothing.com/shop">Energy Clothing</a> will scratch fashion itch, stocking brands like Mos Mosh, Luella and Levi&#8217;s.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="999" height="630" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/burghley-exterior-e1696514136587.jpg" alt="Burghley house and gardens lincolshire" class="wp-image-78914" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/burghley-exterior-e1696514136587.jpg 999w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/burghley-exterior-e1696514136587-600x378.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/burghley-exterior-e1696514136587-833x525.jpg 833w" sizes="(max-width: 999px) 100vw, 999px" /></figure>



<p>It&#8217;s an area that oozes period drama and starred in <em>Pride &amp; Prejudice, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Middlemarch, Bleak House</em> etc. Unsurprisingly, you&#8217;re not short of heritage attractions. <a href="https://burghley.co.uk">Burghley House and Gardens</a> is the biggie, which is also famous for hosting one of the world&#8217;s greatest equestrian comps – the <a href="https://burghley-horse.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Burghley Horse Trails</a> (5-8 Sep 2024). Famous for its many church spires (12 in total), you can visit seven of them in the town centre. Alternatively, join a <a href="https://www.stamfordsightsandsecretstours.com">guided tour</a> and soak up Stamford&#8217;s rich history and nail your daily step count. For more of an adrenaline rush, head to <a href="https://www.tallington.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tallington Lakes Leisure Park</a> for wet and wild adventure like sailing, kayaking, climbing and skiing in the dry ski slope. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>



<p>No shortage of fun for culture vultures. The <a href="http://www.tolethorpe.co.uk">Stamford Shakespeare Company</a>&#8216;s annual summer shows at the <a href="https://tolethorpe.co.uk">Tolethorpe</a> Outdoor Theatre are huge. Auditions are about to start for 2024&#8217;s productions of Jane Austen&#8217;s <em>Sense &amp; Sensibility, Midsummer Night&#8217;s Dream, The Recruiting Officer</em> and <em>Monster Calls</em>. For touring comedians, cool theatre, talks and panto, the <a href="https://www.stamfordcornexchange.co.uk">Corn Exchange</a> theatre is a must visit and <a href="https://www.stamfordartscentre.com">Stamford Arts Centre</a> has a boutique cinema for a more art house vibe, as well as hosting exhibitions, crafty workshops and shows. One of the biggest events on the Stamford social calendar? The Stamford Dog Show, with hundreds of dogs competing for Best in Show. Woof!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-price">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICE</h2>



<p>Grand designs without the eye-watering prices you see in the South. Lots of detached homes to snap up, costing an average £610,405, but the most desirable addresses will . Semi-detached properties flirt around the £355,909 and terraced home cost £330,019.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1600" height="1066" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/STA240079_17.jpg" alt="Stamford Lincolnshire detached house for sale" class="wp-image-96553" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/STA240079_17.jpg 1600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/STA240079_17-600x400.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/STA240079_17-1000x666.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/STA240079_17-1536x1023.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Three-storey, 4-bed Georgian style townhouse, <a href="https://kingwest.co.uk/property/25-hereward-place-stamford/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">on the market for £775,000</a>.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries">NURSERIES</h2>



<p>Rated outstanding, <a href="https://stamford.tcgnursery.co.uk">The Children&#8217;s Garden Nursery</a> follows the child-led Montessori ethos and Forest School. Alternatively, <a href="https://www.malcolmsargentschool.co.uk/page/?title=Acorn+Childcare+Centre&amp;pid=103">Acorn Childcare Centre</a> (from 6-weeks old) is a purpose built nursery at Malcom Sargent Primary and will save you multiple drop offs if you have siblings of school age. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schools">SCHOOLS</h2>



<p>Only one &#8216;Outstanding&#8217; primary, so the competition will be fierce for <a href="http://www.greatcastertonprimaryschool.co.uk/">Great Casterton Church of England</a>, but there is no shortage of &#8216;Good&#8217; schools in the area. For senior state schools, Stamford Welland Academy&nbsp;and&nbsp;Casterton College Rutland are popular, with bright kids battling it out for a place at <a href="https://www.bourne-grammar.lincs.sch.uk">Bourne Grammar School</a>. Heading down the independent route? <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/stamford-endowed-schools-lincolnshire/">Stamford School</a> is a progressive all-through day and boarding school (Nursery to Sixth Form). For a more rural prep <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/witham-hall-school-lincolnshire-review/">Whitham Hall School</a> is a good option for those looking for small class sizes, pristine facilities and a family feel.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-nbsp-secret">BEST KEPT&nbsp;SECRET</h2>



<p><em>Ole!</em> It&#8217;s not just Pampelona, Spain that&#8217;s famous for bull runs. For 600 years,&nbsp;the Stamford bull run (held annually on 13 Nov) was a highlight of the local sporting calendar. Lincolnshire&#8217;s bull run required participants to stay behind the animal as it sprinted into town, rather than experience the pure terror of chased. Phew! You&#8217;ll be pleased to know the tradition ended in 1839, so a cosy November coffee and a catch up is still possible without fear of a passing stampede. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute">COMMUTE</h2>



<p>It is a zippy 15-min train journey or 20-min drive to Peterborough, where the station has services to London King’s Cross (from 50 mins), Cambridge (from 55 mins) and Birmingham (from 1hr 50 mins). Direct trains from Stamford Station to Stansted Airport take about 1 hr 40 mins. Direct trains from Stamford Station to Stansted Airport take about 1 hr 40 mins. Monthly flexi tickets are from £478, soaring to £9,272 for an annual season ticket. </p>



<p>View the full&nbsp;<a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/">Top 260 Best Places to Live</a></p>


Best Places to Live: Stamford, Lincolnshire

See more in Best Places To Live