STAMFORD - 'The Finest Stone Town In England' and LOCAL AREA
STAMFORD
Stamford lies at the southern tip of Lincolnshire where it borders three other counties - Ruland, Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire. Described as the finest stone town in England, Stamford is renowned for its Architectural cohesion as well as its beauty.
Two of the questions most frequently asked by visitors to Stamford are 'why does this town have so many beautiful 18th and early 19th century buildings?' and 'how did it escape the late 19th and 20th century urban blight that disfigures so many other towns?'
The answers are to be found in three words: geography, geology and politics.
In the 1960's Stamford's exceptional character was recognised by the Royal Commission on Historic Monuments, and in 1967 it became the first Conservation Area in England.
It has been described as perfection, a work of art, resembling a 'fantasy quaint olde English town' yet somehow managing to retain its dignity, a balancing act most 'Historic English Towns' rarely achieve.
The following is a very brief list of 'interests' within easy walking distance of Lambert's Cottage:
1. Burghley House, England's finest Elizabethan mansion, famous for hosting the Burghley Horse Trials, Capability Brown designed gardens, lovely parkland with deer grazing, and ideal for working up an appetite, - with a brisk walk!
2. Burghley Park golf club, a parkland course, located in the grounds of Burghley House.
3. Walking tours of the town centre.
4. Stamford Museum.
5. Browne's Hospital.
6. Stamford Market [Friday] - Farmer's Market [friday - fortnightly]
7. St Martins Antiques Centre.
8. Stamford Arts Centre.
9. Award winning Italian Restaurant
10.Locations of recent period 'blockbusters' including 'Pride and Prejudice,' 'The Da Vinci Code,' and the BBC's 'Middlemarch.' period drama.
11. Bateman's 1st Saturday of the month auction sales - be entertained, and 'grab' yourself a bargain!
12. The George Hotel, - Reputedly England's finest coaching inn, - enjoy a drink in the York oak panelled bar, where 18th and 19th century travellers awaited a change of horses, and complete their journey to York!
THE LOCAL AREA
The wider region: the Heart of England / Peak District / Leicestershire and Rutland region
Stamford is situated in a southwesterly protrusion of Lincolnshire, between Rutland to the north and West, Peterborough to the South and Northamptonshire in the South-West, at the only point in England where four counties meet.
Rutland, is England's smallest county, is rural, unspoiled, and renouned for its beautiful mellow limestone built market towns and villages. Notwithstanding its obvious beauty, Rutland remains a relatively unknown gem, and whilst mirroring the appearance of the Cotswolds, the absence of a tourist dependant base, results in an altogether much more pleasant experience!
The following is a very brief list of 'interests' within a short [10 - 20 minutes] drive of Stamford:
1. The market towns of Uppingham and Oakham
2. The Cathedral City of Peterborough.
3. Rutland Water [the size of lake Windermere!] important nature reserve for wildfowl and breeding site for ospreys, plus boating, sailing, trout fishing, windsurfing and cycling around the 26 mile perimetre - no excuses, cycle-hire shop on site!]
4. The Olive Branch at Clipsham.- Michelin Pub of the Year!
5. Rockingham Speedway. [Corby]
6. Tolethorpe open air theatre [13-week summer season of Shakespearian plays.]
7. Barnsdale Garden Centre [Geoff Hamilton of TV fame]
8. The Market Town of Bourne. Forestery Commission walks, and home of E.R.A.[English Racing Automobiles founded by Raymond Mays] and B.R.M.[British Racing Motors] While both are no longer in existence, a museum has been recently established to remember the exploits of their world championship winning drivers.
9. Outdoor pusuits include golf [many courses] watersports, windsurfing, riding, fishing, tennis, cycling, and flying [in a byplane!]
10. Nene Valley Steam Railway.
11. Fotheringhay- the remains of the castle where Mary Queen of Scots was beheaded [also the birthplace of Richard III] and the excellent Falcon inn for some light relief!
12. Visit the auction houses at Oakham [Mondays] and Bourne[Saturdays-fortnightly], and 'grab' yourself a bargain!