Barn Lodge

We stopped here en route from home in Kent to hotel in the Peak District. Attractive quiet village (not near main road) in deeply rural fenland - golden wheat fields, dark green woods (trees everywhere) is pure Constable, although he lived much further south. Stamford is a beautiful town, all honey-coloured stone, and unlike so many other historic towns, it has preserved its architectural (mainly Georgian) coherence. It feels like Oxford without the attitude, or high prices. Attractive riverside. Big problem - heavy traffic everywhere, including town centre. Burghley House nearby is a palatial stately home - well worth a visit. Michael is a friendly and welcoming host at Barn Lodge. We had a twin room (hard to find - we are two friends, not a couple) in a little house next to the main house. Room light, bright and attractive (and of course spotlessly clean), but modern and plain, so not suitable if you are looking for romantic charm. Good bathroom with bath, small shower over bath. Very peaceful, only big drawback was not having breakfast. Fridge is provided, so you could organise your own basic breakfast, but nowhere except washbasin to wash plates etc. We just made tea in our room, and went to Stamford for breakfast, where we liked Central cafe, with good egg dishes (but no fruit, only juice). Parking is not easy in Stamford. We tried Market Deeping (pub) one day, but Stamford breakfast was better. Evening meal (not Sunday or Monday) at pub across road was quite good, and cheap.