The Visit Britain/AA four star graded Willoughby Arms is a beamed, traditional stone country inn, around 150 years old and originally the booking office and waiting room for a private railway.

Situated in a pretty village, recorded in The Domesday Book, the inn enjoys stunning countryside views from the large beer garden. Situated just off the A1, is conveniently located for the historic town of Stamford and the picturesque Rutland Water.

Accommodation

Recently refurbished to a four star standard, The Willoughby Arms offers the following luxury accommodation:

The Willoughby

A family room with one double and one single bed. Has large en-suite bathroom with shower and bath.

The Stamford

A spacious double room with one king sized bed. Has en-suite bathroom with shower and bath

The Glen

A bright and airy double room with one double bed and fantastic views. Has private shower room across the landing

In addition, four temporary beds are available at an additional cost of £10 per person B&B.

All rooms are non-smoking and have colour TV and tea/coffee making facilities

Bar/Restaurant

A freehouse, offering a selection of real ales from all over the country including several local micro-breweries, plus Batemans XB which is the house ale.

The Willoughby Arms is proud to offer simple but tasty pub food. The menu changes seasonally and offers a range of starters, main dishes and specials which currently include steak and kidney pie, Lincolnshire sausage and mash and locally reared hand carved ham and eggs. In addition, a range of baguettes and jacket potatoes are always available as well as mouthwatering desserts.

The Willoughby Arms is renowned for the quality of its real ales and is currently listed in the good beer guide. The new owners now offer a wide range of excellent real ales including recent delights such as Abbeydale Absolution, Theakston’s Old Peculier, Tom Woods’ Bomber County and Pot Belly’s Bejing Black. This is in addition to Batemans XB, the popular house beer which is always available.

A choice of fine wines and a full range of spirits, specialist whiskies and soft drinks is also available.

Refurbished throughout during 2007, you are assured of a warm and friendly welcome.The high quality, four star bed and breakfast accommodation is modern and stylish whilst retaining a traditional feel. All the rooms are light and spacious, with complimentary trays of hot beverages, colour TV and free Wi-Fi access.

History

Situated opposite the village railway station on the Great Northern Line, The Willoughby Arms was originally known as The Steam Plough Inn.
Built in 1853 it started life as the booking office and waiting room for a stretch of railway line owned privately by the 21st Lord Willoughby of Grimsthorpe.

The railway track, established by Lord Willoughby in 1855, stretched around what was The Grimsthorpe Estate Deer Park up to the castle at Edenham and served five trains a day including both passenger and goods wagons. It crossed in to Little Bytham station, which was considered to be the busiest station between Peterborough and Grantham, right in front of the stone building which later became the pub.

Regular traffic on the main railway line during the heyday of steam included The Flying Scotsman and the Sir Nigel Greasley. Most significantly of all, in 1937 the line was the site of a record which endures today, when The Mallard became the world’s fastest steam locomotive reaching a speed of 126.5mph.

As well as supporting the railway industry The Willoughby Arms and its outbuildings have been used as a water tower and as a butcher’s shop in conjunction with an abattoir which was located in what is now the bungalow next door. To this day, the field at the back is still known as Slaughterhouse Field.

The Willoughby Arms has had several owners, the current proprietors taking over in January 2007.