Where to stay in England: The Bull&Swan at Burghley

The promise offered by The Bull&Swan at Burghley is simplicity itself – “Food – Pint – Pillow”. If you’re trying to choose where to stay in England on a touring holiday or short break this historic little pub has a lot going for it:

• Location for one thing. It’s right on the main London road into Stamford, a golden stone medieval and market town often called the best stone town in England. And virtually around the corner (well okay, it’s about two miles to the main entrance) is Burghley House. Built by William Cecil, chief advisor, Lord Privy Seal and Lord High Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth I, Burghley is one of a handful of great Elizabethan prodigy houses.  Cecil founded Elizabeth’s secret spy network. Legend has it that a crypt under the The Bull&Swan at Burghley is connected by a tunnel to Burghley House itself (though no one really knows where that is).
  

  Looking down the A43, also known as High Street, St Martin’s. The bar across the road is a “gallows” meant to discourage highwaymen.

• History for another They’ve been feeding and watering travellers in The Bull&Swan at Burghley since the 17th century. The town has actually grown up around the pub. If you sit at one of the window tables in the front, the street is actually at about your shoulder height. The pub was also the meeting place of a gentlemen’s drinking and dining club known and the Honourable Society of Little Bedlam – a sort of 17th century Bullingdon Club. Members protected their identities behind animal nicknames – a fact attested to by signs in the Old Pub. Isaac Newton was known to be a member.

Rooms at the Bull& Swan at Burghley

When I’m choosing where to stay in England The Bull&Swan at Burghley has everything I usually look for. I try to avoid the same-same vibe of international budget chain hotels. At the same time, I really don’t want to blow my travel budget on a classy, expensive room (not too often, anyway). Especially when you’re touring, nice quality, reasonably priced rooms that have plenty of local character really add to your experience.

Rooms at the Bull&Swan at Burghley fit the bill. They are usually moderately priced.  Do check what’s on at Burghley House when you’re planning to go though. Special events at Burghley can b00st local prices.

Nine bed&breakfast guest rooms, in three classes – Luxury, Chic and Classic  – bear the nicknames of the members of the Little Bedlam Club. So you could stay in Porcupine or Ram instead of Room 1 or 2. An exception is the Isaac Newton Room, below. Perhaps they didn’t know what pseudonym he drank under.

Luxury guest room at the Bull&Swan is named Isaac Newton

All the rooms, along with the pub itself, were sensitively refurbished by the owners, the Burghley Estate, before leasing the building to the current operators, a hospitality company. They’re beautifully done with dark wood furnishings, big and comfortable beds and shiny, well-maintained glass and tile shower rooms. A few also have luxury roll-top baths., his and her bathroom basins, exposed stone walls and ancient stone hearths filled with woodburning stoves.

Another luxury room. This one is called Ram after a member of the Little Bedlam Club.

All are equipped with wide-screen televisions, free Wi-Fi, luxury toiletries, ironing equipment, salon-quality hairdryers, iPod docking stations, quality tea and coffee making trays. Some can be arranged for families and some are dog-friendly. One Classic room is available as a single.