Timeline
14:16
Start in St Martin's Church area. Pop into St Martins Antiques Centre to browse the floor units and cabinets of 19th and 20th-century articles. It is a quick stop to get your bearings in the historic town.
15:16
Walk nine minutes to The Tobie Norris. This 12th-century building, once a bell-foundry, now serves as a traditional pub with timber-beamed ceilings. Grab a drink here to tide you over before the long walk.
15:46
Head to Burghley House. The car entrance and bus stop are on Barnack Road. Walk the grounds to find a vantage point. The Elizabethan exterior is little altered, offering a grand backdrop for the evening light.
16:16
Watch the sun set toward the SW. The golden light starts about an hour before, but the moment itself is when the sky catches the grand 16th-century facade. The Cecil family still lives here, so keep your voice low and respect the space.
17:01
End your evening by walking back toward the town. Visit Walkers Bookshop, a traditional family-run shop in an old building. Pick up a book about Stamford's history to remember the day.
Local tip
The walk from the town centre to Burghley House is long. Ensure you leave enough time to reach the house before the light fades. The Tobie Norris is dog-friendly but bans prams, so plan accordingly if travelling with little ones.
Check before you go
- St Martins Antiques Centre is open Mo-Su 10:00-17:00.
- The Tobie Norris is open Mo-Sa 12:00-23:00 and Su 12:00-20:00.
- Burghley House is open Mid-Mar-Oct Sat-Thu 11AM-5PM. In January, it may be closed for interior visits, but the grounds and exterior are usually accessible; check current status.
- Walkers Bookshop is open Mo-Sa 08:30-17:30.
Worth knowing
- Walkers Bookshop is open at 17:01 only on Mo, Tu, We, Th, Fr, Sa
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Stamford (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).