OUT OF OFFICE
The rooms Done with dinner, we floated upstairs to our bedroom, a contemporary suite. The first thing to note is that it’s huge; large enough to comfortably house a desk, table, two armchairs, wardrobe and king size bed (and a whopping TV), and it’s filled with cute, arty touches, like the vintagey telephone, Banksy plates, cow-print chairs and fur scatter cushions. You absolutely can’t argue with the stunning views out across the Abbey gardens, or the luxury bathroom, either, with its rainwater shower, Temple Spa goodies, fluffy robes and crowning glory, a huge free-standing copper tub, which easily looks big enough for two, perhaps even three occupants. The design is a little at odds with itself sometimes, blending traditional and flamboyantly modern, but it’s spacious and supremely comfortable, making for a delightful stay. What to do Once you’ve enjoyed The Angel’s hearty ‘Full Suffolk’ breakfast, get out about and explore Bury; there’s plenty to see in this picturesque, history- steeped town. The Abbey ruins and gardens are a no-brainer, but there are also art galleries, antique shops, independent boutiques and great places to eat and drink in all directions. For cocktails in a glamorous setting, venture up to The Northgate, a Victorian townhouse transformed into a swish bar and restaurant, or for a casual coffee and world-beating toasties, head to Wright’s on St John’s Street. Just downhill from The Angel is 1921
You absolutely can’t argue with the stunning views out across the Abbey gardens, or the luxury bathroomwith its rainwater shower, Temple Spa goodies, fluffy robes and crowning glory, a huge free-standing copper tub"
Angel Hill, offering splendid tasting menus in a chic, laidback setting. For its size, Bury’s also got a very healthy live music scene (not for nothing did John Peel label it ‘the new Seattle’), with The Hunter Club giving a platform to up-and-coming local acts and The Apex serving as venue for big name musical visitors to the town. Beer and Bury are inextricably linked, with the town’s history in brewing dating back more than a thousand
years – today, you can go on a tour of Greene King’s HQ, or for a bit of fun, visit The Nutshell, Britain’s smallest pub. The verdict At just under an hour away from our city centre by car (40 minutes by train), Bury is a perfect minibreak destination for Cambridge dwellers. It might have the appearance of a sleepy Suffolk town to outsiders, but it’s got a buzzy nightlife, great places to eat and an indie shopping scene that most small towns would kill for – all in a pretty, compact setting. Perhaps that’s why its residents seem so unfailingly cheerful? And it when it comes to where to rest your head, The Angel – a glamorous grand dame of a hotel – is sure to win your heart. Highly recommended. theangel.co.uk
IMAGES The luxurious dining room has recently been refurbished, making it the perfect setting for tucking into The Angel's enticing food offering
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