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Stamford was the first designated conservation area in England and since its creation in 1967 the whole of the old town and St Martins has been made an area of outstanding architectural or historic interest that is of national importance. Within this area there are over 600 buildings classed as Grade II as being of special architectural or historic interest, while 100 of these are Grade II*, being of particular importance. There are also eight ancient monuments in and around the town on either side of the Welland.

The existing street pattern has stayed the same since Saxon times, with Medieval and Georgian buildings predominating. Essentially, Stamford is a town for people to admire on foot, freely and safely - many narrow pedestrian ways have survived, and unexpected open spaces have been retained. Many of the historic buildings have been restored and repaired with the aid of financial grants.

Of the towns 14 original churches, five Medieval ones still survive. All are close together in the centre but the visitor, to save disappointment, should bear in mind that St Michaels has now been converted into three shops and only All Saints and St Martins are normally left unlocked.

All Saints Church above Red Lion Square is mentioned in the Domesday Book (1086). Principally Early English with restoration by John and William Browne in the 15th century. Of interest is the vaulted porch and a series of brasses to the Browne family.

St Georges Church in St Georges Square is possibly of very early origin (11th century), but was rebuilt in 1449 by William de Bruges, first Garter King of Arms as the chapel of the Knights of the Garter. It has several monuments of interest as well as a collection of garter panes in the north chancel window (15th century).

At the corner of Red Lion Square is the Church of St John the Baptist, a complete, mid 15th century perpendicular building with splendid carved angels in the roof of that same period. Ancient glass is seen in several windows as well as brasses and carved screens on north and south sides of the chancel.

St Martins Church across the river in High Street, St Martins is a stately late 15th century perpendicular building on an older site. Monuments to the Cecil family include the fine Renaissance monument to the first Lord Burghley, William Cecil who died in 1598. The church has fine glass, some of it quite unique.

St Marys Church at the top of St Marys Hill, is the town’s ‘mother’ church with a very fine broach spire of the 14th century.

St Michaels Church in High Street, a disused church of 1836 on the site of a 12th century predecessor has now been converted into three shops.

On the north side of Broad Street is BROWNES HOSPITAL, an extremely interesting 15th century building built by William Browne, a wealthy Stamford wool merchant who was six times an alderman and who died in 1489. The hospital was built for ten poor men and two women with a Warden and Chaplain. It then consisted of a common room divided into cubicles with an Audit Room above, a chapel and other buildings around a courtyard. Altered and enlarged in 1870 and modernised in 1963-64, the hospital now has six double and five single rooms. The chapel retains a fine screen, original pews and a pre-Reformation altar slab and there is rather Fine 15th century glass both here and in the Audit Room. The whole building, set so charmingly around its quiet courtyards, is full of human and architectural interest. Brownes Hospital is open from 11am until 4pm between May until the end of September on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank holidays.

There are eight ancient monuments in and around Stamford. Amongst these are an arch, part of a 12th century town house on St Mary’s Hill, , whilst another is a 13th century bastion that is the only surviving relic of the old town walls. Outside the wall to the east is the fine Greyfriars gateway that was erected in 1350, also of interest, is St Leonards Priory which was the earliest of the town’s monastic buildings. It was erected for Benedictine monks and the imposing west front still remains.

STAMFORD SCHOOL dates from 1532 and is now part of Stamford Endowed Schools. The Norman and Early English St Paul’s Church remains on the site. Also worth seeing is the Brasenose Knocker brought by students of the Oxford College in 1333.

On St Marys Hill is the 18th century TOWN HALL where the town’s civic plate and regalia are kept. As well as these items, some of which date back to the 15th century, the Town Hall also contains the mayor’s parlour, the court room (now largely used for civic receptions) and the Phillips Room which is named after a former mayor and local brewer.

Close to the bridge on the south side of the Welland is the GEORGE HOTEL whose famous sign spans the former Great North Road. This site has been catering for travellers since the days of the Hospitallers Building where the Knights of St John of Jerusalem cared for pilgrims passing through the town.

In Broad Street is the STAMFORD MUSEUM which is housed in the technical school that was built in 1894. It is devoted to local history and its displays include Stamford ware pottery which was internationally noted from the 9th to the 13th centuries and was one of the first glazed ceramic wares in northern Europe since the Roman times. Also popular are the exhibits devoted to Daniel Lambert and Tom Thumb, the largest and smallest men of their time. The museum possesses the set of clothes actually worn by Lambert when he died, weighing 52 stone 11 pounds. So impressed was the American dwarf ‘Tom Thumb’ when he visited Stamford that he left a suit of his own clothes to be displayed beside those of Lambert - replicas can be seen on life like models. The museum is open from 10am to 5pm from Monday to Saturday throughout the year and also from 1pm to 4pm on Sundays, from April until the end of September.

Like many other country towns, Stamford once had several breweries and reminders of this trade are found in ALL SAINTS BREWERY which is located in All Saints Street. Here can be seen a complete steam-operated brewery from the Victorian period complete with all its equipment and fittings. Pre-booked tours can be arranged.

Whilst every care has been taken in compiling this publication and the statements contained herein are believed to be correct, the publishers and promoters cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracies. Reproduction of any part of this publication in any format, without permission, is strictly forbidden. Editorial courtesy of Mr P.J. Norris. Photographs supplied by Don Lambert Photography, Stamford 01780 757673.