~Burghley & Stamford~
22nd September 2012
Heading for home and a wide choice of venues for exploration en route between Cambridge and Burnley. I hadn't been to Stamford for about 22 years and I'd never been to Burghley House.
Stamford
Scroll down for photos and a description of the visits....
Duxford War Memorial
All proud towns and villages who lost loved ones in WWI found the time, space and funds to erect a memorial. They didn't know that another war was just around the corner. I like to look out for these memorials and admire the local pride.
Burghley Estate
Arriving at Burghley House at 11am. Burghley is about a mile from Stamford. The car park and access to the wider estate is free of charge - ideal for local dog walkers and picnicers.
Burghley House Entrance
It's £12.50 per adult and an extra £5 for the guidebook. You can hire earpieces and listen to a commentary if you want to - we didn't. No photos allowed inside, fair enough. The rooms visited were very interesting and all but a couple are upstairs. Guides in every room are very alert and informative. Descendants of William Cecil, 1st Lord Burghley, live here as part of a deal between the family and the trust that now runs affairs.
 |
 |
Garden and Fish Pond |
The Orangery |
Refreshments
We had light refreshments in the garden outside The Orangery Restuarant. As it happens, we spent less than 40 minutes inside and visitors should be aware that the tour only covers a fraction of the property.
Burghley House
Seen through railings from the North. This part was finished in 1587, the East having been completed in 1555.
 |
 |
The Gardens of Surprise
The full ticket price allows for entry into The Gardens of Surprise and The Sculpture Garden. The former boasts many water features and the latter was omitted by us, due to pressure of time.
Burghley House
A walk in the estate grounds takes you to Lion Bridge and from there you get the only available view of the South face of the house.
The West Face
I think my lasting memory of Burghley House will be Antonio Verrio's paintings of the walls and ceilings.
The River Welland at Stamford
Stamford
Stamford is in Lincolnshire, but satelite villages spread into the counties of Northamptonshire, Leicestershire and Cambridgeshire. The town and neighbouring St.Martin's are the first conservation area to be designated under the Civic Amentities Act of 1967.
 |
 |
The Church of All Saints |
Ironmonger Street, Stamford |
~~~~~~~
 |
 |
St.Mary's Church |
St.Michael The Greater |
St.Michael The Greater has been decommissioned and the downstairs now comprises six retail units with large plate-glass windows. Quite surreal, but maybe an appropriate second life in a changing world where the (not so) new religion is Materialism.
Food at Gooch's
Lord Burghley's Hospital, Stamford
Founded in 1597, it is now home to local elderly folk who have spent their days in Stamford.
Stamford
Quotes: "Sir Walter Scott apparently doffed his hat to the view up to St Mary's Church, claiming it was the finest sight on the road between London and Edinburgh. John Betjeman called Stamford 'England's most attractive town'." I don't question their enthusiasm for this place; it's delightful, not a word I often use in an urban context. But....Cars! Cars! Cars! Part of the problem, we did find it hard to locate a parking spot.
Looking Back
The reverse of the previous photo. The beam across the road was a warning to highwaymen - they would be hanged! The George Hotel advertises itself on the beam. I'm stood on the Town Hall steps. Whilst there, a guided tour arrived and I listened to the guide's commentary on all that was on view, plus a "famous" burial at St.Martin's (visible between the flagposts).
Daniel Lambert - Britain's Fattest Man...
...and it's he that is buried in the graveyard at St.Martin's.
River Welland
Canalesque river. I think I'm looking downstream, but as there wasn't much flow, it was difficult to discern.
St.Mary's Church
Look! No cars...well, almost. Stamford is well worth a visit, you could probably spend all day in and around the town. I'm sure there are walks, guided or not, to take in much more than we saw.
Clock House, Stamford
We enjoyed our time in Stamford; on the way out we spotted The Clock House. How long does it take to get back to Burnley from Stamford?
Burnley Sunset at 19:00hrs.
Tourists: Karen and me.
Weather and Conditions: Sunny and warm.
Richard's Refreshment Review: Light bites in Gooch's, Stamford. Deceptively large establishment with tables on three levels, plus a garden. Service was prompt and efficient, depsite the busy-ness and everything was OK. We were looking out for a quanit tea-shop, but the one we found was too busy.
*All photos copyright Richard Ratcliffe 2012 © except the one of Daniel Lambert.
Contact Me via email - comments can then be added to this page, unless it is clear to me that you wouldn't want me to do that.
Take me back to the start ....