Stamford in Bloom 2018
1 Truesdale’s Hospital, with its pretty front garden, was founded in the 1700 to house six poor men. Through the archway there are glimpses of the private gardens beyond.
Cross over the road and walk up Barn Hill to admire the view before walking past some interesting examples of residential architecture. 2 At the bottom of Barn Hill you will see All Saints’ Church. On the South side take a look at the new sun dial erected in 2013 to replace an earlier one which is now housed within the Church. Cross the road and turn right at Twelve All Saints wine bar then walk up All Saints Street. Where the road branches cross over to see the Bus Station flower beds. This area was once the site of Stamford’s castle, built shortly after the Norman Conquest. |
View and download the map here (PDF, 1.5MB)
The numbers below match those on the map |
3 Opposite you will see St Peter’s Green which is at its best in Spring when it is covered with flowering bulbs. St Peter’s Church once occupied this space – it was demolished in the 16th century.
4 Walk around the Green and then descend Castle Lane. This area is kept wild with native plants to encourage wild life and is used as a teaching aid with plants of historical interest. At the end of the narrow path turn left onto Bath Row.
5 Along Bath Row you will see newly-planted lavender under the wall. From the corner with Castle Dyke is a 5 view up to the old Sheep Market and a modern Eleanor Cross – a memorial to Queen Eleanor of Castile, wife of Edward I, who died in Lincolnshire in 1290. At this corner there are the only standing remains of the Castle.
Take the path over the Meadows, used for many public events including the traditional Mid Lent Fair, crossing the River Welland. Walk on to The George Hotel car park and take the back lane to the Hotel courtyard - an ideal place to stop for refreshments – then through to the front entrance and out into High Street St Martin’s. There are splendid views up the hill to the main road in to Stamford from the South, lined with fine Georgian buildings.
6 Turn left towards the town centre and look at Lord Burghley’s Hospital with its attractive flower displays. These almshouses were first established in the 12th century. At the cross roads is a planted bicycle basket display, one of the ways local businesses use to advertise.
7 Cross over the road and walk along Water Street to the Sensory Garden and the peaceful riverside shaded by mature trees. The riverbank has flowering bulbs in Spring. Retrace your steps and turn right to cross over the bridge.
8 Continue walking up the road until you reach Stamford Town Hall, completed in 1779, and still used by the Town Council.
Turn right into St Mary’s Place to face a collection of grand, mainly 18th century buildings. The imposing St Mary’s Church dominates the scene.
9 At the far side of the square turn right into St Mary’s Street and walk along to Stamford Arts Centre, originally built in 1727 as the Assembly Rooms, with a theatre added in 1768. Ahead of you is St George’s Square with a an award-winning garden on the South side of the church.
10 Return to the Arts Centre then cross over to Maiden Lane and walk on to St Michael’s Churchyard at the intersection with the High Street. This has recently been restored as a green oasis in the centre of town, with plenty of seating. More planting has been added to soften the pedestrianised area adjacent to the Churchyard. Opposite, outside Stamford Library, is a planter with an inscribed quote chosen by Library staff.
11 To the left of the Library turn into Goldsmiths Lane. At the far end is Broad Street - the wide area is used for a weekly market. Cross over the road and turn left until you reach the War Memorial and behind this Browne’s Hospital. This medieval almshouse was founded in 1475 by William Browne, a wealthy wool merchant.
12 Cross back over the road and turn left past the Art Deco ex cinema into Silver Lane, returning to the High Street. Turn right and straight ahead on the top of Dawson of Stamford’s jewellery and antique shop you will face the new statue of Mercury, replacing one that disappeared in the late 1800s.
Walk towards Mercury and from there into Red Lion Square with seating and a small monument to all the resting places of Queen Eleanor’s cortege on its journey to London.
13 Before returning to Barn Hill walk past the newly-restored Paten & Co pub with its interesting tilework then the floral-fronted Crown Hotel. The circle is completed by returning to the Scotgate Car Park.
If you want to make this project blossom and grow please send a donation to: Stamford in Bloom, c/o Town Hall, St Mary's Hill, Stamford PE9 2DR Cheques should be made payable to: Stamford in Bloom BH&ASPC Group.
Stamford in Bloom is supported by Stamford Town Council, South Kesteven District Council and Stamford Civic Society.
Produced by Stamford in Bloom [email protected]
4 Walk around the Green and then descend Castle Lane. This area is kept wild with native plants to encourage wild life and is used as a teaching aid with plants of historical interest. At the end of the narrow path turn left onto Bath Row.
5 Along Bath Row you will see newly-planted lavender under the wall. From the corner with Castle Dyke is a 5 view up to the old Sheep Market and a modern Eleanor Cross – a memorial to Queen Eleanor of Castile, wife of Edward I, who died in Lincolnshire in 1290. At this corner there are the only standing remains of the Castle.
Take the path over the Meadows, used for many public events including the traditional Mid Lent Fair, crossing the River Welland. Walk on to The George Hotel car park and take the back lane to the Hotel courtyard - an ideal place to stop for refreshments – then through to the front entrance and out into High Street St Martin’s. There are splendid views up the hill to the main road in to Stamford from the South, lined with fine Georgian buildings.
6 Turn left towards the town centre and look at Lord Burghley’s Hospital with its attractive flower displays. These almshouses were first established in the 12th century. At the cross roads is a planted bicycle basket display, one of the ways local businesses use to advertise.
7 Cross over the road and walk along Water Street to the Sensory Garden and the peaceful riverside shaded by mature trees. The riverbank has flowering bulbs in Spring. Retrace your steps and turn right to cross over the bridge.
8 Continue walking up the road until you reach Stamford Town Hall, completed in 1779, and still used by the Town Council.
Turn right into St Mary’s Place to face a collection of grand, mainly 18th century buildings. The imposing St Mary’s Church dominates the scene.
9 At the far side of the square turn right into St Mary’s Street and walk along to Stamford Arts Centre, originally built in 1727 as the Assembly Rooms, with a theatre added in 1768. Ahead of you is St George’s Square with a an award-winning garden on the South side of the church.
10 Return to the Arts Centre then cross over to Maiden Lane and walk on to St Michael’s Churchyard at the intersection with the High Street. This has recently been restored as a green oasis in the centre of town, with plenty of seating. More planting has been added to soften the pedestrianised area adjacent to the Churchyard. Opposite, outside Stamford Library, is a planter with an inscribed quote chosen by Library staff.
11 To the left of the Library turn into Goldsmiths Lane. At the far end is Broad Street - the wide area is used for a weekly market. Cross over the road and turn left until you reach the War Memorial and behind this Browne’s Hospital. This medieval almshouse was founded in 1475 by William Browne, a wealthy wool merchant.
12 Cross back over the road and turn left past the Art Deco ex cinema into Silver Lane, returning to the High Street. Turn right and straight ahead on the top of Dawson of Stamford’s jewellery and antique shop you will face the new statue of Mercury, replacing one that disappeared in the late 1800s.
Walk towards Mercury and from there into Red Lion Square with seating and a small monument to all the resting places of Queen Eleanor’s cortege on its journey to London.
13 Before returning to Barn Hill walk past the newly-restored Paten & Co pub with its interesting tilework then the floral-fronted Crown Hotel. The circle is completed by returning to the Scotgate Car Park.
If you want to make this project blossom and grow please send a donation to: Stamford in Bloom, c/o Town Hall, St Mary's Hill, Stamford PE9 2DR Cheques should be made payable to: Stamford in Bloom BH&ASPC Group.
Stamford in Bloom is supported by Stamford Town Council, South Kesteven District Council and Stamford Civic Society.
Produced by Stamford in Bloom [email protected]