Restaurants in Rutland & Stamford: Milly’s Bistro
This month we’re enjoying delicious dining courtesy of Bex Goddard and the team at The William Cecil’s Milly’s Bistro, where a sunny terrace, horsebox bar and a wonderful summer menu awaits
What’s the difference between a boss and a leader? A pretty good definition is that the former dictates and the latter empowers. Bex Goddard, for example, has been with Stamford’s William Cecil for a couple of years now and has since taken over as Head Chef, working with a team of eight chefs and three kitchen porters.
We’re sitting in the sunshine just next to the hotel’s dining terrace and its lovely soft seating area, adjacent to the horsebox which serves as the hotel’s quirky outside bar in the summer months. I’m effusive, given how busy she must be. But actually, it’s all under control.
“We’ve a really good team, we’re all really close and I’ve been cooking less and less since becoming Head Chef,” she reflects. “I do still cook, of course, but the team are so good we can ensure that whoever’s in the kitchen each dish will be consistently created and presented.”
“It’s a pleasure to work here and I’m really lucky. Stamford is a fantastic town with people who really appreciate when effort has been invested in dishes. We’ve some really lovely customers, a great team and lots of local ingredients.”
Aside from the team, and the happy customers and even a bit of sunshine, there’s yet another reason to celebrate, because at the recent Destination Lincolnshire Tourism Excellence Awards, The William Cecil won the Best Hotel category for 2025/2026, and will now go through to the national Visit England awards as a contender for national recognition too.
The hotel was created in the 18th century by consolidating three private houses, opening as a hotel and later coming into the custodianship of The Woodford Group who had a vision for creating a comfortable country house hotel with bags of character and with a wonderful bistro at its heart.
Milly’s Bistro was created in 2024, its namesake being Mildred Cooke, the wife of the first Baron Burghley. The building is also part of the Burghley Estate and is a stone’s throw from the Bottle Lodges entrance.
With its 24 bedrooms and a reputation as an incredibly popular venue for weddings and other celebrations, The William Cecil really shouldn’t be overlooked as a standalone restaurant welcoming in non-residents too.
Likewise, the welcoming terrace is available for those who want to soak up a bit of Stamford sunshine and enjoy a glass of wine or a G&T without necessarily dining.
We wouldn’t recommend that though, as you’ll be missing a treat. Bex and the team work alongside Liam Goodwill who is the company’s Executive Chef, overseeing all three of the group’s venues, to curate menus which are well executed, beautifully presented and above all, absolutely delicious.
Dining takes place courtesy of a daytime menu offering with a set lunch option offering two or three courses for £22 and £27 respectively, or à la carte dining. Then, in the evening, the à la carte menu provides a choice of small plates – ideal for grazing in the evening sunshine – plus five starters, six main courses and a choice of sides.
Pudding wise, you’ve a choice of four desserts, or a cheese board option serving Driftwood, Westcombe Cheddar and The Duke.
Local ingredients are favoured where possible but the team are happy to look a little further afield for quality and consistency. Butchery is sourced from Owen Taylor, who are more than a century old and value high-welfare beef, pork and lamb raised in and around Lincolnshire and Rutland.
Fresh fish is delivered daily by Richard Wragg of Fish Rich, whilst Bex and the team use a few suppliers of veg and fresh produce, as well as capitalising on the kitchen garden at The Bull & Swan, just down the road which provides herbs, summer salad leaves and edible flowers. Other local suppliers include Hambleton Bakery who provide artisan breads including their flagship sourdough, plus Stamford’s artisan fromager Rennet & Rind.
In terms of the dishes themselves, each one has a halo ingredient which any other elements are designed to enhance. This ensures dishes have an element of depth and creativity, but remain unfussy.
The Bull & Swan’s remit as a traditional English pub has afforded Milly’s Bistro the chance to go a little more upmarket with its dining out offering. During our visit, highlights included the sort of lighter, fresher dishes bound to appeal to diners in summer. Examples include sea trout, cod and confit duck leg main courses, and starters of half-shell scallops with Rockefella butter.
A recent addition to the puddings section of the menu is a tart of the day – treacle during our visit, thank you very much – served with a good vanilla ice cream.
To accompany your meal there’s a choice of over 40 bins of wine by glass and bottle, as well as four exceptional Bordeaux Cellar examples topping out at £140 for a 2012 Château Cantenac Brown, 3ème Cru Classé, Margaux. There’s a choice of real ales and local spirits too.
In terms of atmosphere, there’s plenty. Candles on the table, lovely white linens with royal blue ticking stripes and a choice of the smart bar with its lofty ceiling and huge fireplace or the garden room in which to enjoy dining.
If you’re doing so on Sunday, the restaurant’s lunchtime offering is super, including a roast sirloin of beef with horseradish hollandaise, Cotswold White chicken or slow-roasted
loin of pork, served with braised beef-stuffed Yorkshire puddings, hispi cabbage and roasties, plus cauliflower cheese, carrot and swede, with two or three courses available for £35 or £40 respectively.
What’s nice about The William Cecil and The Bull & Swan, just down the road, is that they cater for those seeking really good à la carte dining but also traditional yet exceptional pub dining. Common to both places, though, is exceptional service, a warm and welcoming feel, and an obvious desire to give diners a really good experience. We’re very happy to recommend both dining rooms this summer!
Milly’s Bistro, The William Cecil, High Street, St Martins, PE9 2LJ. Call 01780 750085 or see www.millysbistro.co.uk.
Read more about Milly’s Bistro and see our food and drink listings with local cafes, restaurants and food & drink supplier in our June edition at https://www.pridemagazines.co.uk/rutland/view-magazines?magazine=June-2025