The Orangery - Stamford

Lovely restaurant at Burghley House, Lincolnshire. Once you're done visiting the spectacular palatial mansion that is Burghley House you might want to relax at The Orangery, especially in the picturesque outside seating area. You order your food at the desk, it will be brought to you (So, do memorize your table number! . Full lunches and light bites are available. I just had a fruit scone with jam and clotted cream, which was lovely. Alas, for us beer drinkers the selection is limited to ONE beer, the dreaded Sharpe`s Doom Bar. Anyway, the ambience is wonderful, and the prices, while elevated, aren't a rip-off.

Popped in, on the Food Festival weekend . Wish we hadn't. Should have bought from the stalls outside and sit on the grass where the atmosphere was so much friendlier. The meal I requested was not available, no problem......so I ordered the Cheese board. I received Fried Haloumi salad.!!!!!! We both wanted Lattes , but the machine was broken. I ordered a slice of gateaux that was on display, and saw that cake fall to pieces as the waitress tried to plate a slice. She was barked at by the boss. They were not having the best of days. All the staff looked stressed and miserable. We could not get out of there fast enough. Such a shame, it used to be so much better.

Service: Dine in Meal type: Other Price per person: £20–30 Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 4

The last time I went to the Orangery (in June) with my husband we enjoyed breakfast. Unfortunately when I looked at the cushions on the chairs they were very dirty,not the look you want for a place like Burghley. Hope this is sorted on my next visit. Parking: The new parking area is much further away from the house and a bit of a trek if you have difficulty walking, hopefully there will be some new benches placed along the way. (Use to like the old parking spot under the trees)

We used to love to come here. We visit every year for my Mum's birthday. It still has nice room and garden to sit in. But the menu, coffee, and quality of service has diminished which is a shame. I would still say its a nice place to visit but it used to be lovely on the pricey side but a nice treat. Now, it's expensive and OK but if I were going again, I would probably have lunch in Stamford instead, or bring a picnic. In the Orangery, you used to get a lovely cafetiere of coffee, now it's depressingly out of a machine prices on par with a motorway services Starbucks. The staff were struggling with how busy the place was. It was the day of Battle of the Proms so they may have had more visitors than normal. We waited for a table which was fine. However once sat we found the menu has been cut down. We were too late for brunch, to early for afternoon tea. Lunch was pork belly hot sandwich, or lamb meatballs or cod loin. All over twelve pounds in price. I think the quality of food is still good but not the choice. We went for chips....as didn't fancy pork belly, lamb or cod. They were ok but delivered in silver buckets which held about 10 chips. No bowl or plate with them either. The lad brought the 3 bucket miniatures out with them clutched to his chest...I guess the kitchen had no trays. The girl on the till went to replace scones, which were out of a packet (I thought they may have been homemade....alas not). She dropped lid covering cakes and replaced it after it had been on the floor. I'm not fussy but....yeah....not what I would expect really. The staff looked sad and stressed. So ....go to Orangery if you are gasping for a drink on your visit to Burghley. You may have to book table beforehand, expect it to cost you, be busy, staff grumpy and it will be like most places just ok....not as special as it once was.