S TA M F O R D
Steeped in history and full of life
S TA M F O R D
Steeped in history and full of life
Stamford’s stone heritage has drawn accolades over the centuries – and tourists from far and wide.
Its unique blend of history, niche shopping, stunning architecture and an over-riding sense of community even won the supreme compliment from the Sunday Times newspaper as ‘Britain’s top place to live’ (March 2013).
Local people benefit from the beauty of Rutland Water to the west, one of Europe’s largest reservoirs and now a haven for fishing, cycling, sailing and wildlife, and rolling countryside with picturesque villages all round.
Behind such praise lies a hardworking and bustling town with a wealth of character.
Exciting commercial and housing plans ensure homes and business opportunities.
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Stamford has over 600 listed buildings of mellow limestone and was the UK’s first conservation town
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45 minute rail commute to London from nearby Peterborough
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Around 90 direct trains a day from Peterborough (nine between 7-8am)
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A1 trunk road as major north/south artery
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Easy reach of three international airports at Stansted and East Midlands/Birmingham
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Leicester to the west, Peterborough to the south and Lincoln to the north
Sir Walter Scott described Stamford as ‘the finest stone town in England’ 3
A unique treasure Stamford is a unique treasure trove of provincial English architecture built in the finest stone.
to a positive mix of industry, services, agriculture and tourism.
Sited at the south westerly tip of South Kesteven, it was England’s first urban town to gain conservation status in 1967 and its historic fabric survives largely unscathed. Town walks, guided tours and even ghost walks unveil its past.
The gibbet sign of The George Hotel evokes memories of highwaymen like Dick Turpin from the days of the stagecoach and Daniel Lambert famously recorded as the country’s fattest man during Georgian times who tipped the scales at 53 stones (337 kg).
And now in more modern times it’s the stage for a fabulous Georgian Festival which recreates the bustle and feel of the Georgian period over a weekend-long programme of events. More than 1,000 people live in the villages immediately surrounding the town contributing
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Its historic core is a perfect backdrop for business and niche retail alike. It boasts worldclass watchmakers, award winning food producers, an independent brewery and a thriving cafe culture.
A history of commerce through the ages
Stamford’s recorded history goes back well over 1,000 years. In the 13th Century it was one of the 10 largest towns in England, complete with a castle, 14 churches, two monastic institutions and four friaries. Parliaments met in the town and a tradition of academic learning led to a short-lived university in the mid 14th century.
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The removal of the wool trade to East Anglia in the 15th Century forced the town into decline. Its fortunes recovered in the late 1600’s with improvements to the Great North Road as everyone who travelled north passed through Stamford and the coaching trade elevated old medieval inns like the George to nationally renowned hostelries.
It ‘s a time that drew prosperous professional men and merchants who built the classical and Georgian houses which remain the town’s architectural; backbone. But the arrival of the railway in the 1830s bypassing the town signalled a death blow to the coaching trade and to Stamford’s fortunes – now happily revived.
‘Stamford is a reminder of the days when Britain was hale and hearty’; Sunday Times ‘Best Places to Live in Britain’. 5
Get connected Access to London; business potential in a quality environment
First class connections Stamford is perfectly placed amidst airports, arterial roads and quality rail links across the UK. A picturesque railway station offers direct links to Peterborough and trains to London / Leeds, or west to Birmingham and east to Stansted airport. There are also direct links to Cambridge and Leicester.
all within easy reach. The area is high on the agenda for BT’s delivery of superfast broadband - up to 25Mb - to 90 per cent of the district by 2015, with a guarantee of at least standard broadband for the remaining 10 per cent.
The A1 also offers a direct road link to the capital and, 20 miles south, access to the A14 and the port of Felixstowe or the M1 and M6 junctions in central England.
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International airports at Stansted, Birmingham, Robin Hood (Doncaster) and East Midlands are
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A gateway to the East Midlands and Lincolnshire Less than a 30 minute commute to nearby Peterborough 90 direct London-Peterborough trains a day Easy access to the ports of East Anglia Three international airports within 70 miles A1 trunk road as major north/south artery Direct trains from Stamford to Birmingham
Vision for the Future Our vision for 2021 is to create even more vibrant communities throughout South Kesteven where people want to live, work and invest. This includes:
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Thriving and sustainable market towns oering a better quality of life Recognition as a growing vibrant environment A place which attracts visitors and businesses A growing mixed economy oering improved prosperity and lifestyle
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A healthy and safe environment with improved transport links Town centres oering something for everyone A thriving entrepreneurial culture with increased high value jobs Good quality housing for all Capturing, encouraging and retaining local talent
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We know what it takes to grow Economic development is top of the agenda for the district with infrastructure to encourage business relocation and growth.
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It includes building relationships with the district’s largest employers to understand their challenges and future business plans, and help create the environment for them to thrive and grow - plus establish a local employment partnership. Stamford is home to Cummins Generators, a global world-class company and leading manufacturer of diesel engines technology.
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Business networking; pro-active events and stakeholder forums Enhance land and property database Develop on line and face to face business start-up service Establish grow your business package – online and face to face Programme of business engagement opportunities; trade show, property events Organise training events, employment fairs and business conferences
On the streets Stamford is unusual in having whole streets entirely made up of Georgian houses, yet vibrant with modern life. It’s an architectural legacy which has drawn innumerable film companies for classics such as Pride and Prejudice and Middlemarch.
A vibrant Friday street market epitomises all that’s best about market towns with stalls on Broad Street and Ironmonger Street which also stretch into High Street. Stamford also stages a regular farmers’ market offering produce traceability and a sales outlet for local food producers. The town also has charming and bustling alleys that connect main streets in the town.
On a daily basis Stamford’s eating houses, pubs and food speciality shops make its winding streets a voyage of gastronomic discovery. Elsewhere niche retailers vie with designer fashion outlets . Stamford Arts Centre is a thriving focal point for arts and cinema and houses the Tourist Information Centre.
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Feel alive Already voted the best place to live in the UK, Stamford sits proudly in South Kesteven which has been named as one of the top 50 districts to live in the UK, in the 2013 Halifax Quality of Life survey.
Here are just a few things that make it a great place:
It was one of only six in the top 50 outside the south and was judged across a range of factors from residents' health, life expectancy, earnings, employment, crime rate, weather, traffic flow and broadband internet access.
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Delight in a walk along the River Welland or just relax on the town’s historic Meadows Enjoy sailing, climbing, or cycling at nearby Rutland Water which is also popular with bird watchers – particularly those searching for ospreys Take guests to the spectacular Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials in September, where corporate hospitality is also available Indulge yourself amidst Stamford’s uniquely niche shops, from antiques to jewellery and upmarket fashions
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Beautiful but relatively affordable housing House prices within the district have traditionally been extremely affordable compared to the rest of the UK. Most of the sales in Stamford over the past year were terraced properties which on average sold for £234,122. Semi-detached properties had an average sold price of £179,396 and detached properties averaged £292,671.
A HOME OF YOUR OWN IN SOU KESTEVEN WTITHH A DEPOSIT OF
First time buyers can get on the housing ladder thanks to a Lend a Hand scheme operated by South Kesteven District Council and Lloyds TSB
JUST 5%
Lloyds TSB and South Kesteven District Coun cil have joined forces to form Local Lend a Hand which makes dreams come true
First time buyers only. Terms and conditions apply
More details from your
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local branch of Lloy ds TSB
In the past year house prices in Stamford were 3% up on the year before and 3% down on 2007 when they averaged at £225,003. According to the Land Registry (Oct-Dec 2012) the average house in South Kesteven cost £171,544. This is significantly less than the national average of £239,296.
Welcome distractions
Stamford has a wealth of attractions on the doorstep including the beautiful county of Rutland and the delights of Rutland Water and historic houses like Grimsthorpe Castle and Burghley House. The Stamford Shakespeare Company at Tolethorpe is one of the ďŹ nest open air theatres and has a very popular summer season.
Palatial Burghley House , one of the crowning glories of the Tudor era, was built by local man William Cecil, Lord High Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth I. Burghley is a top visitors attraction and hosts the annual Burghley Land Rover Horse Trials, one of the world’s top events which attracts tens of thousands of visitors every autumn.
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Education The district prides itself on its high standard of education facilities and the grammar school selection process is alive and well.
Queen Eleanor secondary school is now an academy school and Bourne Grammar is just 11 miles away.
Stamford School is one of three schools which make up the Stamford endowed schools along with Stamford High School for Girls and Stamford Junior School.
Stamford’s New College is the best performing Further Education college in the East Midlands. It offers A-levels and vocational courses for 1618 year olds, taking students from Lincolnshire, Rutland, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Quotation: “We pride ourselves on the quality of education we provide, with latest figures show we are performing incredibly well. New College Principal: Andrew Patience
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© Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey 10018662
From household retailers to world class manufacturing, any up and coming business will find what they are looking for within the district. Our key towns offer the following advantages, each with that distinctly different personality. Space to grow – surrounded by beautiful countryside and with a strong growth agenda, all our towns represent a good prospect for businesses to want to grow with us. Support to thrive - dedicated support for
businesses, with the provision of appropriate skills and the necessary investment in infrastructure required for growth. Get connected – a market town perfectly placed for transport links in all key directions and centres of national business excellence. Feel alive – Lincolnshire’s fresh-air factor, beautiful countryside, delightful rivers and woods offer endless opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. It couldn’t be better.
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South Kesteven District Council Council Offices St. Peter’s Hill Grantham Lincolnshire NG31 6PZ t: 01476 40 60 80 e: ecodev@southkesteven.gov.uk w: www.southkesteven.gov.uk