Stamford between the Welland, history and art

Stamford offers a range of ways to enjoy a stay: historic buildings, a cultural programme, and routes connected with the river and a former canal. The River Welland flows through waterside meadows in the town centre. Other highlights include St Leonard’s Priory, five medieval churches, the Stamford Arts Centre and the Stamford Tapestry. The walking routes also vary in focus: one circular route follows a river and the course of the former Stamford Canal; maps are available for five themed walks.

Riverside walks and themed routes

The Stamford River Walk is a circular route. It runs along the river and, on the return leg, follows the drained course of the Stamford Canal. The route description thus connects two distinct features: the river and the trace of a former canal. One section of the River Walk follows the Torpel Way. This path connects Stamford with Peterborough; the connection refers to the Torpel Way, not the entire River Walk. Path conditions and access may change, so check local information before your visit.

Discover Stamford provides visitors with maps for five different themed circular walks through the town. This offers a different way to find your bearings than the River Walk: its route is described in terms of the river and the former canal, while the other walks are theme-based. If you are interested in one of these routes, check that maps are available locally.

The River Welland has its own landscape appeal: it flows through waterside meadows in the centre of Stamford. This description of the town’s landscape is distinct from the specific route descriptions. When choosing what to do, it may therefore help to ask yourself two questions: Would you like to follow a described route, or are you interested in the river as part of the town’s central landscape?

Medieval traces and Burghley House

St Leonard’s Priory was a cell of Durham Cathedral Priory. The site includes the standing remains of the nave. The remains of the north aisle, transepts, chancel and claustral buildings are preserved below ground. The surviving remains therefore include both standing sections and structures preserved underground. The priory’s connection with Durham Cathedral Priory links its history with places beyond Stamford.

Stamford also has five medieval churches. Burghley House, on the outskirts of Stamford, offers another aspect of the area. Its grounds include the Sculpture Garden and the Garden of Surprises. Alongside the medieval churches and the remains of the priory, these two named gardens offer further distinct points of interest. These facts should not be conflated into a single attraction: the churches, the priory and Burghley House each have their own connection to the town’s history and character.

Art, culture and events

Built in 1768, the Stamford Arts Centre is one of England’s oldest provincial theatres. Its programme includes theatre, cinema, music, workshops and exhibitions. This brings several different types of events together in one place. Individual events change, so if a particular play, concert or exhibition is important to your trip, check the schedule in advance.

The Stamford Tapestry is on display at Discover Stamford. Interactive information explains the events, people and buildings depicted. The tapestry therefore offers a different focus from a walk around the town: the emphasis is on the images and the explanations provided alongside them. As the exhibition layout may change, check the latest information before planning a visit.

Choose what to focus on during your stay

When choosing activities, you can take advantage of the differences between the options. The Stamford River Walk is a described circular route, with the river and former canal as landmarks; the five themed walks focus on different aspects of the town. For culture lovers, the Arts Centre’s programme and the interactive information about the Stamford Tapestry are highlights. Those interested in medieval heritage can explore the churches and the remains of St Leonard’s Priory. Burghley House adds the Sculpture Garden and the Garden of Surprises to this selection. This lets you shape your stay around the subjects that interest you personally, without treating the different places and activities as one and the same.

Discover more destinations: Ancaster, Cleethorpes, Woodhall Spa, East Kirkby, Alford, Revesby, Keelby, Wrawby.

For the main travel overview: Lincolnshire.