Holiday review: Stamford, Lincolnshire

Bank holiday traffic, roadworks on the motorway and said Cocker running riot on the backseat turned what should have been a two-hour sprint into a five-hour marathon.

But still, thoughts of a four-poster bed, fine food and miles of lush green fields for Ralph to play in kept me and my sister going.

Our destination was The William Cecil, a quirky but luxurious dog-friendly hotel within the stunning Burghley Estate.

We were due to arrive around 7.30pm, with dinner at 8.30pm. As it happened, we arrived at 9.30pm, flustered, tired and hungry.

However, the staff took care of us from the very beginning, pushing back our reservation in the dining room, sympathising over our disastrous journey and making a good old fuss over Ralphie.

The room cheered us up too. It was a huge space centered with a four-poster bed covered in Egyptian cotton, chaise longue and our own little garden for us to sip cocktails and the pooch to play in.

And the A-list treatment for Ralph didn't stop there. He also got his very own soft Union Flag sleeping pillow, filled-to-the-brim treat bowl and a personalised letter welcoming him to The William Cecil. He's now spoilt for life.

Dogs are allowed everywhere in the hotel apart from the restaurant so we left him with his treats and made our way down for dinner.

The dining room is cosy and relaxing. Nicely lit with just the right amount of tables to create an atmosphere but not overwhelm. We were sat next to a very glamorous cast member from The Only Way Is Essex. But don't let that put you off.

Two belinis settled our frazzled minds as we got stuck into the menu. I went for the pan-seared king scallops with confit belly of pork and apple purée and Emily went for sautéed wild mushrooms on granary toast with cream, parsley and parmesan.

Because it was now past 10pm, unfortunately we had to order off the bar menu for our mains as most of the mouthwatering dishes on the restaurant menu had sold out.

Em tucked into a delicious 6oz rump steak and I had seared fillet of Scottish salmon, poached duck egg, citrus salad and sautéed potatoes. The food was fresh, tasty and comforting and washed away any last traces of stress.

If you're curious, mains on the restaurant menu include pan-seared fillet of turbot, 28-day-aged fillet of beef Wellington and Gloucester Old Spot belly of pork.

Too tired for dessert but armed with a bottle of prosecco, we made our way back to the room where a very contended Ralphie greeted us.

The following day, and this time with the pooch at our side, we enjoyed a glorious meal in the sun-drenched breakfast room. Toast, pain au chocolat, a sausage sandwich, eggs Florentine and steaming cups of tea and coffee set us up perfectly for a day of exploring.

As we made our way around Stamford, it's easy to see why it topped The Sunday Times 2013 list of the best places to live in Britain.

The beautifully-preserved stone town was bathed in sunshine as people walked their dogs on the green by the river and others enjoyed an antiques fair.

The town itself is filled with wedding boutiques, beauty salons, art studios and book shops. It is picture-postcard perfect. Only one thing shattered the peace – Ralphie jumping into the river and emerging drenched, muddy and very proud of himself. You can take the dog out of Wolverhampton and all that . . .

To dry him off, we took him for a mammoth walk around the grounds of Burghley. Beautiful rolling fields are located at the very back of The William Cecil.

We strolled for miles, passing a quaint cricket club and thousands of uninterested sheep, before we arrived at the gates of Burghley House, considered by many as the finest Elizabethan house in the country.

We didn't go in as we had the dog but it looked incredible and The William Cecil can sort out discounted rates or private tours if you're so inclined.

By now, our time in Stamford was coming to a close.

We couldn't look or feel more different to how we first arrived in that stressed-out state – and that's all down to the kind staff and unintimidating luxury of the hotel and the beautiful surroundings of the town.

Only one thing remained however: the journey back. Gulp.

But, as is always the way, we flew back home in just two hours and an exhausted Ralphie slept the entire way there.

It's a dog's life, eh?

Stamford, Lincolnshire by Elizabeth Joyce