Bank holiday weekends are for exploring and total escape. But no need to book overpriced overseas tickets for that. There’s plenty to see closer to home!

Frequently ranked as one of the best UK cities to live in, Stamford is only 90 min away from London, yet it couldn’t be any more different.

We reached the charming little Lincolnshire town late in the morning, dropped off our bags and rushed back out to explore!

Minutes stretched into hours as we walked along the river and across bridges and parks.

We stumbled upon Browne’s Hospital, a medieval almshouse founded in 1485 and couldn’t resist a snoop at the garden.

Before stopping for a quick spot of lunch at The Cosy Club.

Ham hock, fried potatoes, poached egg and gravy in its Aladdin-lamp-esque pot.

Just enough fuel to keep us going all the way up to Burghley House.

A grand sixteenth-century country house, the house itself is a leading example of the Elizabethan prodigy house. But the gardens are even better!

Welcome to Burghley House’s Garden of Surprises.

Stepping through the door will take you to Lincolnshire’s own little whimsical Wonderland.

Complete with mirror maze, giant Easter egg…

… and even a gigantic rabbit bush!

No red roses to be seen, but delicate, fragrant white blooms all around.

Hopefully, the delicate colour palette won’t result in any gardener getting their head chopped!

Turn around the corner, go through a door and you’ll soon find yourself in a different fairy tale.

Deep in the woods lies the realm of Goldilocks and her bear-y friends.

Mamma Bear.

Pappa Bear.

And the adorable, cuttle as a button little Baby Bear!

Many more creatures call Burghley House’ Gardens their home.

Wild animals go about their lives.

Iron giants watch over the plains.

Statues come alive when no-one’s looking.

And behind every bush, there are some lilliputian fairies to be discovered.

We followed the yellow wisteria road in the hope of getting to Emerald City (and eventually, home)

And after battling the elements

(and a particular daunting water portal)

We finally found our way back to the real world just in time for tea.

For life-sized, un-beleafable fairytale adventures just hours away from London, Stamford is a brilliant place!

Nice long walks, fresh air, some of the most beautiful gardens I’ve ever seen (and maybe a cheeky lil’ mezze platter at The Mad Turk)… Just what the doctor ordered!