Best Dressed Window winners announced as Stamford dresses up for Burghley

Stamford’s Best Dressed Window Competition 2026 has reached its finale, with Petra's Hair & Beauty crowned the public’s favourite display following a week-long vote.

The People’s Favourite Award was introduced for the first time this year, giving the public the chance to have their say alongside the competition’s judging panel. Petra's received the highest number of votes from the public to take the title.

The winning window was put together by 10-year-old Reeva Wright, the daughter of a former salon employee, who was given the opportunity to bring her own creative ideas to the display.

Salon owner, Jazmin Johnson said: “It’s been lovely to take part in the competition and to feel part of the sense of community across the town. Reeva has done an amazing job and we’re so proud of what she created. She put so much thought and imagination into the display, and we’ve had so many people stopping to admire the window, which has been really lovely to see. A huge thank you to everyone who voted for us”

The public vote followed the announcement of this year’s judges’ awards, which saw Hindmarch & Co take first place for its striking Burghley-inspired installation.

Horse mania has taken over the beautiful Lincolnshire town of Stamford in the led up to Defender Burghley Horse Trials, as shops and businesses get involved in the second annual Best Dressed Window Competition, run by Defender Burghley Horse Trials in association with Shop Stamford.

The competition challenges shops, salons, galleries and other businesses in Burghley’s neighbouring town to create a window that celebrates the world famous equestrian event that takes place nearby each September. The window displays stay in place up to the Horse Trials (3 to 6th September).

Some two dozen windows were assessed by judges Andrea Hoskins, owner of The George Hotel in Stamford; Burghley Lifestyle Ambassador Alex Collins; and ‘Notswolds' founders Laura Jekyll and John Simpson, with the Hindmarch & Co garage emerging as the winner for its striking Burghley installation, set against a drawing of Burghley House by owner Jane Frank’s daughter.

As a lifelong supporter and attender of the Horse Trials, Jane was thrilled to win her £500 first prize - and threatened to make her winner’s plaque into a medallion or a belt buckle.

“We do the window for our customers to see and to advertise to people ‘You’ve got to go to Burghley’.. Stamford IS Burghley,” she said.

“A garage may not be the most naturally creative space, but this was lovely, with many different elements, including bullrushes to give a suggestion of Burghley’s lake,” noted the judges.

Runner up was floral studio Ode to Joy, whose beautiful window included a rosette made of dried flowers. “You just want to stop and admire it,” said the judges.

“We weren’t doing it for a prize, we just loved doing the window - and the dried flower rosette was our way of bringing in Burghley,” said Ode to Joy’s Alexandra Doherty.

In third was Age UK, with an attractive, autumnal window styled entirely with donated items, “which shows what you can do with thought and planning,” said the judges.

Highly Commended were last year’s winner Stamford Botanics, newly-opened hair salon Studio Seven and Pirrie Optometrists.

The judges were full of praise for the innovation, planning, style, detail and in some cases humour worked into the designs, in windows both large and small. The Hambleton Bakery even created its own answer to Winner’s Avenue, while Pirrie Optometrists included a miniature Defender off-road driving experience in its window.

“The windows look lovely and spark up great conversations,” said Samantha Taylor who designed an elegant window for men’s tailors Brook Taverner.

The new People’s Favourite Award gave every participating business another opportunity to be recognised, with members of the public invited to vote for the display they loved most.

Winner received the most votes and was crowned the inaugural People’s Favourite winner for 2026.

Overall winner:

Hindmarch & Co

Second place:
Ode to Joy Flowers

Third place:
Age UK Stamford

Highly Commended:
Stamford Botanics
Pirrie Optometrists
Studio Seven

People's FavouritePetra's

The Best Dressed Window displays will remain in place for visitors to enjoy during Defender Burghley Horse Trials, taking place from 3 to 6 September.

Martyn Johnson, Event Director of Defender Burghley Horse Trials added: “We are so lucky to have a town as vibrant and beautiful as Stamford right next door, getting behind our event. We hope this competition reminds local people to enjoy the sport, style and sociability of the horse trials, and to remind Burghley Horse Trials visitors to explore, shop and dine in Stamford while they are here.”