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4-star hotel Check-in 15:00 · Check-out 11:00

The Bull and Swan

Stay at The Bull and Swan, a quirky 16th-century inn in Stamford offering luxury rooms, free Wi-Fi, parking, and a restaurant near Burghley House and Stamford Station.

24 High Street St Martin's, St Martins, Stamford PE9 2LJ, United Kingdom View on map
8.6/10
Very Good Based on 622 recent guest reviews
Free Wi-Fi Paid breakfast Free parking Pet-friendly Kid-friendly
What recent guests emphasize

Individual charm meets attentive service in a historic setting

Visitors appreciate the spacious, well-appointed rooms and the cosy, lively pub atmosphere. The friendly and professional staff enhance the experience, while the convenient parking nearby and proximity to Stamford attractions make it a popular choice.

Guests often praise

  • Spacious and comfortable rooms with quality linens, toiletries, and thoughtful touches like homemade cookies
  • Friendly, welcoming, and professional staff praised for their helpfulness and genuine service
  • Excellent food and breakfast options, with a varied menu and several standout dishes such as glazed ham hock and burgers
  • Atmosphere described as cosy, lively, and characterful with quirky 16th-century pub décor
  • Free parking available a short walk away at the nearby sister hotel, easing accessibility by car

Worth knowing

  • Parking is off-site at The William Cecil hotel, approximately a 5-minute walk away
  • Some rooms require navigating steep stairs and a short garden walk to reach the restaurant
  • Noise from the road and occasional pub events, including a Friday night DJ, may affect light sleepers
  • No on-site air conditioning, pool, airport shuttle, or fitness center available
  • Side dishes recommended with certain meals due to smaller portion size

Best for

  • Visitors wanting a unique and luxurious stay in a historic pub setting with character
  • Guests who value attentive, friendly service and quality food in a lively atmosphere
  • Walkers and explorers attracted to Stamford’s historic sights and nearby parklands
  • Travelers with pets, as the inn welcomes dogs and offers pet-friendly facilities
  • Groups seeking a social dining experience inside an eccentric 16th-century pub
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About this property

Welcome to The Bull and Swan

The Bull and Swan is a 16th-century inn and pub offering individual, eccentrically themed luxury rooms within a historic setting in St Martins, Stamford. The property combines traditional charm with modern comforts, featuring spacious accommodations furnished in a “modern heritage” style. Guests appreciate the inclusion of quality toiletries, comfortable beds, and thoughtful touches such as homemade cookies and well-equipped rooms. Although some rooms require a short walk through the garden to reach the dining area, the overall experience is noted as clean and comfortable.

Facilities include free Wi-Fi, free parking nearby at the William Cecil hotel, a bar, and a restaurant serving well-regarded meals, including popular choices like burgers, fish and chips, and pork loin. Breakfast is available for a fee and is described as ample and well-cooked. While the property is pet- and kid-friendly and smoke-free, it does not offer air conditioning, a pool, airport shuttle, or fitness center. Parking is not on-site but within easy walking distance, and some guests note that noise from the pub’s Friday night DJ may be audible until late.

Located just off the A43, The Bull and Swan is a convenient six-minute walk from Stamford Train Station and 1.3 miles from Burghley House, a historic attraction set in Capability Brown-designed parkland. Nearby activities also include visits to Rutland Water and the Nene Valley Railway, catering to guests interested in outdoor pursuits and local heritage. The inn’s central position allows easy access to other well-rated accommodations and local amenities.

With a 4.3 rating from nearly 600 reviews, the property suits visitors seeking a mix of characterful surroundings and practical amenities. It appeals to those wanting to explore Stamford and its historic sites while staying in a comfortable, traditional pub setting. Some guests mention the road noise and stairs as minor considerations, but praise the friendly, professional staff and the quality of food and lodging.

Summary compiled by GoHotelly editors from verified guest reviews, partner descriptions and editorial notes.
Facilities & essentials

What's on-site and what you should know before you arrive

The short version: what's available day-to-day, and the key practical details most travelers search for.

Most popular facilities

Free Wi-Fi
Paid breakfast
Free parking
Pet-friendly
Kid-friendly
Restaurant
Bar
Smoke-free

Not available at this property

Accessible
Pool
Air-conditioned
Airport shuttle
Fitness center
Verified guest reviews

What recent guests are actually saying

Reviews from travelers who stayed here in the last 12 months, grouped to help you spot the pattern quickly.

G
Gillian Mar 21, 2026
10

Stayed for a couple of days at The Bull & Swan and can thoroughly recommend. Every member of staff was great, breakfast was excellent , bedroom ( we were in Lyon) was spacious with water and fresh milk in the fridge. Lovely toiletries, bedroom was very comfortable. Car park at the William Cecil, about 5 mins walk . There’s some noise from the road outside but it didn’t bother us. Ideal for visiting Stamford and I’m sure we will be back

AM
Amber Maltby Mar 06, 2026
10

We visited as a group of 6 for our works Christmas meal. Initially we were allocated a side room which was very nice, however we all preferred to be in the hustle and bustle of the pub so after a request we were moved with no issues whatsoever. There was a very long wait for food (there was a party on this night and busy)however when it came, it was superb. 4 members had the burger and fries, all were extremely satisfied, 1 of us had fish and chips which was absolutely delicious and 1 had pork loin which they thoroughly enjoyed but had the least on the plate, so would recommend a side dish to that meal. Drinks menu was extensive. Staff were so polite, welcoming and professional. Decor of pub was fantastic. Really cosy. Everything was clean and fresh. We would definitely return again.

SW
Sally Watson Mar 01, 2026
10

This inn is a little gem. Our room and bathroom were large and beautifully furnished in a ‘modern heritage’ style. Everything very clean. Breakfasts were ample and beautifully cooked, as was our evening meal. Staff were very helpful. Can’t think of any negatives, although our room meant we had a short walk through the garden to reach the restaurant, but we were fine with that!

SS
Stephanie Sutton Feb 19, 2026
8.0

We really enjoyed our one night stay at the Bull and Swan, Stamford. The pub/restaurant had a good, lively feel to it on our arrival and the manager checking us in to our room was efficient, informative and welcoming. Very easy parking at the sister hotel situated very nearby too which is good, especially being able to arrive early and spend time in the town. Our room was very large and comfortable and was very well equipped but still retained the character of an old building. Loved the walk in shower, and even better, the free standing bath with an excellent selection of toiletries. Room was clean and the bed very comfortable too. We enjoyed a good meal in the restaurant, excellent food and very attentive, efficient waitress and waiter, both of who very friendly and relaxed. Breakfast next day was excellent, a good choice and of good quality. My only complaint was that you are not permitted to pay by cash in the restaurant. I strongly disagree with this policy and as a rule do not use card only establishments. I did not however see notices on the website or in the bar, advising of this. They may have been there but both my husband and I did not see them. This is the reason why I have deducted a 'star' from the rating and the only reason why we would not stay there again.

LW
Louise Webber Jan 27, 2026
10

The best staff I have come across anywhere in a long time. Bright, friendly, helpful and completely genuine. The room was spacious with a comfortable bed. The dog was very welcome and catered for. The food was good. Things to be aware of - parking is not on site but just up the road in the William Cecil. Double parking to drop bags was possible but not the easiest. Steep stairs up the some of the rooms. This is a pub and there was a Friday night DJ out back and the music could be heard until 11pm. We would stay again.

AD
Alexis Dachtler Jan 19, 2026
10

We have eaten at the pub a handful of times but never stayed. We were very impressed with the quality of the room and its finishing. Very comfortable bed, lovey linen and towels, and lots of space. Really appreciates the quality toiletries as well as the home made cookies on arrival. Most comfortable stay and most delicious, varied breakfast choices. Highly recommend!

SL
Stephen Lenane Jan 17, 2026
10

Beautiful room in a great location with free parking two minutes walk away. We really enjoyed having a stand alone bath in the room. There is access to the parkland of Burleigh House from the car park which is a lovely place to walk.

SO
Suzanne Osborne Dec 25, 2025
10

Called in here Monday evening for food. The glazed ham hock was recommended and we went for this. Omg! Stunning dish sadly we couldn't finish it. Our waiter was excellent ( his recommendationfor ham hock) Lovely atmosphere wish we had stayed here also but next time we definitely will.

Location & neighborhood

Where you'll find The Bull and Swan

Stamford, United Kingdom

Off the A43, this historic 16-century pub inn is a 6-minute walk from Stamford Train Station and 1.3 miles from Burghley House.

  • Stamford 5 min Walk
  • Stamford bus station 9 min Walk
  • Stamford Bus Station 9 min Walk
  • Heathrow Airport 1 hr 57 Car · 3 hr 11 Transit
  • London Gatwick Airport 2 hr 24 Car · 3 hr 17 Transit
  • London Stansted Airport 1 hr 17 Car · 1 hr 44 Transit
Things to do nearby

Worth the walk or a quick ride

Curated spots travelers usually pair with a stay in United Kingdom. Distances are rough real-world times, not straight-line.

Burghley House 5,624 reviews

Burghley House

Burghley House, Peterborough, Stamford PE9 3JY, United Kingdom

4.7 · Historical Landmark
Rutland Water 1,160 reviews

Rutland Water

Oakham, UK

4.6 · Reservoir
Nene Valley Railway - (Wansford, Station) 2,294 reviews

Nene Valley Railway - (Wansford, Station)

Nene Valley Railway Ltd, Wansford Station, Stibbington, Peterborough PE8 6LR, United Kingdom

4.6 · Heritage Preservation
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