Winner announced in Stamford Best Dressed Window Competition 2025

Name: Burghley House
Price range: $

The results are in for Stamford’s Best Dressed Window Competition, held to celebrate the Defender Burghley Horse Trials – and the town’s creativity has shone brightly.

Stamford Botanics was named the overall winner after judges toured the town on Tuesday 19 August. A further four businesses were Highly Commended and four received Commended awards, recognising the incredible effort and imagination shown across Stamford’s shopfronts.

Organised in partnership with Shop Stamford, the Defender Burghley Horse Trials Best Dressed Window Competition invited businesses across the town to dress their windows in celebration of the Horse Trials taking place on their doorstep. The displays will remain in place until Sunday 7 September, the final day of the event, creating a visual treat for both residents and visitors.

The 2025 judging panel brought together voices from the local community, media and creative industries:

Councillor Amanda Wheeler, Mayor of Stamford
Charlotte Mackaness, Features Editor, The Field
Andrea Hoskins, Owner, The George of Stamford
Gary Curtis (@theoldbuilding), Photographer and Content Creator

Judging took place on the morning of Tuesday 19 August, with winners announced that afternoon. Entries were assessed on creativity, impact, and how well they captured the spirit of the Defender Burghley Horse Trials.

Stamford Botanics perfectly combined their plants, the event theme and their shopfront with huge imagination. We were captivated by the detail and are sure the window will be much enjoyed in the coming weeks. Across the entries we saw an incredible mix of creativity, quirkiness, and humour - with plenty to make you smile.

Councillor Amanda Wheeler | Mayor of Stamford

How exciting to win! It was such fun creating my window - I used to make displays like this on my shelves at home when I was younger and horse mad, so I had a vision for what I wanted to make.

Leonie Baldwin | Owner, Stamford Botanics

Alongside the overall winner, the judges recognised a number of other displays for their creativity, effort and flair. Entries included everything from beautiful artwork and Burghley fashion to horses jumping fences of bread and cheese straws, and even one relaxing in a bath - each designed to tie in with the business it represented.

Overall winner:
Stamford Botanics

Highly Commended:
Age UK
Hambleton Bakery
Hindmarch and Co (Stamford) Ltd
Tom Lane

Commended:
Asembo
Gladwell & Patterson
Stamford Arts Centre
SW2 Plumbing & Heating Ltd

Together, the displays have brought an extra touch of excitement to Stamford, helping set the scene for the Defender Burghley Horse Trials taking place from 4 to 7 September.

The overall winner receives £500 cash prize, a commemorative plaque, and two 4-day tickets to the Defender Burghley Horse Trials. Highly Commended were presented with a plaque and two 1-day tickets, while Commended businesses received certificates and tickets to visit Burghley House.

The Best Dressed Window Competition is all about celebrating Stamford and the Defender Burghley Horse Trials, supporting local businesses and giving residents and visitors something extra special to enjoy in the town. The response from the community has been fantastic, and the standard of entries has been exceptionally high.

Sarah Sewell | Shop Stamford