Stamford Town
Stamford is a beautiful and safe Georgian town known for its historic buildings and copious shops and cafes. With a vibrant population of nearly 21,000 people, its location in the East of England and practical transport links make it a popular commuter town for growing families.
Explore more about the town by scrolling down, or using the links below.
Easy to Commute
Stamford is located in the East Midlands of England, just off the A1 (the main road north from London to York and Edinburgh). It is ideally situated for those looking to relocate to the countryside, from the city, without losing their links to the urban jungle.
It is well connected by rail with direct train services to Cambridge, Stansted airport, Leicester, and Birmingham. The city of Peterborough, which offers a 45-minute rail service to London Kings Cross, is just 12 minutes away by train or 20 minutes by car.
Drive times to local cities and airports:
| London | 130 minutes |
| Luton Airport | 80 minutes |
| Heathrow Airport | 110 minutes |
| Stanstead Airport | 80 minutes |
| Cambridge | 60 minutes |
| Leicester | 60 minutes |
| Birmingham | 90 minutes |
We have shared a map below to help you better visualise Stamford’s central location. Explore the map below by scrolling to zoom in, and clicking the arrow key in the top left, to navigate between cities and travel distances. The Schools locations are represented by the white stars.
If you’re considering commuting, many of our families choose flexi boarding; your child stays with us three or four nights a week, cutting drop-off and collection times, letting you make the most of time with your family.
Great North Road
One of the most important transport links and Roman roads linking London to Lincoln and York in the north, the Great North Road (now superseded by the A1) used to run through the centre of Stamford. This road passes the historic coaching inn, the George, thought to be founded around 947AD. Like the School, the George has played a significant role in the town’s history, having hosted numerous famous guests including Charles I, William III, the King of Denmark (in 1768) and Sir Walter Scott – the Scottish writer and poet.
Train to London
Stamford’s train station, situated just off the centre of the town, serves Birmingham to the West and Stansted Airport and Cambridge to the East. The city of London is accessible within 45 minutes from the closest city, Peterborough, which is just 12 minutes from Stamford by train.
Originally built in 1846, the station itself is of Mock Tudor style and grade II listed.
Things to do in Stamford
Don’t be deceived by Stamford’s historical charm and small size, as it certainly offers more than your stereotypical ‘sleepy’ countryside town.
Burghley House and Park Stamford Market Sports and Recreation Food and Drink #ShopStamford and Stamford Card Events and Entertainment
Burghley House and Park
On the outskirts of Stamford and bordering Stamford High School is the historic Burghley House, home to the famous Burghley Horse Trials. Built for Sir William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley, Lord High Treasurer to Elizabeth I, and an Old Stamfordian, Burghley House is a stately home that has been featured in several films including ‘Pride & Prejudice’ and ‘The Da Vinci Code’.
The grounds of Burghley Park are open to pupils of the Schools to enjoy and play host to our annual Burghley Park Run.
Burghley Run
Sports and Recreation
As well as nature trails and water sports available in the area, the town itself has leisure activities suitable for the whole family. The range of sports clubs include football, rugby, cricket, tennis, bowls, badminton, squash and running, as well as leisure centre with a swimming pool, three gyms and two regional league football teams located in the town; Stamford Daniels and Blackstones.
Our on-site Sports Centre offers practical access for our students to a state-of-the-art gymnasium and swimming pool.
Sport at Stamford
#ShopStamford and Stamford Card
Formed to drive the town’s visitor economy and promote our independent retailers and traders, #ShopStamford and the Schools work in partnership with representatives from businesses across town to ensure the continued vibrance of our High Street.
The Stamford Card, run by the Schools and supported by #ShopStamford, is a local initiative aimed at supporting independent businesses in and around the town. Cardholders have access to offers and discounts from over 100 local businesses and all funds raised are used to support local children.
Stamford Card
Events and Entertainment
Stamford Arts Centre and Stamford Corn Exchange host a variety of shows, performances, and theatre productions throughout the year, with the Arts Centre also regularly hosting art exhibitions and workshops.
The Burghley Horse Trials are held annually and attract thousands of visitors each year. The premier equestrian event in the sporting calendar is held in the historic Burghley Park.
Barnack Hills & Holes is a 50-acre Site of Specific Scientific Interest and one of Britain’s most important wildlife sites.
Bourne, Fineshade and Wakerley Woods, all just a 20-minute drive from Stamford, offer picturesque walks and nature trails.
Rutland Water, one of the largest artificial lakes in Europe, offers 25 miles of walks and cycle paths as well as sailing and fishing opportunities, and is just 14 miles away from Stamford.
Tallington Lakes, just 5 miles from Stamford, offers 205 acres of clean, spring-fed water, and activities such as water skiing, wakeboarding, jet skiing, windsurfing, canoeing, and sailing.
With an 18th Century working Water Mill, Sacrewell Farm is a 50-acre historical farm serving as an educational and leisure facility, with friendly animals, a Shire Horse Centre and play activities.
Dating back to the 11th century, Tolethorpe Hall, on the outskirts of Stamford, is now used as an outdoor Shakespearian theatre by the Stamford Shakespeare Company.
Grimsthorpe Castle, just a 20-minute drive from Stamford, is an historic country house standing within a 3,000 acres (12km2) of parkland, lakes and woodlands landscaped by Capability Brown.
Our Events
History of Stamford
Dating back 1000 years, the town came into prominence in the 9th and 10th centuries and exudes character. Stamford is located on the River Welland, Lincolnshire, which runs behind the Stamford Junior School and it is at this point where it is believed that Boudicca crossed, chasing the survivors of the Roman 9th Legion during their rebellion in AD61. Under the Saxons, the town grew in size and it is thanks to them that we owe the present name Stamford, deriving from its original name ‘Stony Ford’.
Picture Postcard Stamford
Today, the town plays host to filmmakers seeking to show the ‘picture-postcard’ vision of England including films such as Pride and Prejudice. In summer, the Stamford Shakespeare company hosts plays in a nearby open-air Theatre at Tolethorpe Hall. Each year, there is the town’s Mid-Lent Fun Fair, that has its origins in the original Stamford Fair and dates to Norman times.
Photo © Nat Bocking (cc-by-sa/2.0)
