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If you’re looking for an escape to the country within hopping distance of Cambridge, check out Head Fen Country Retreat, which offers self- catering lodges on the banks of a private fishing lake in Little Downham, near Ely. With sweeping views across the Fens, your own hot tub and a cosy wooden lodge with all mod cons to bed down in for the night, it’s the perfect spot for some blissful downtime without the faff of a long journey. If you want to get out and about and do some exploring, the retreat sits close to the borders of Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk, making it a good base for exploring nearby Ely Cathedral and Welney Wetlands Centre, plus you can fish on the lake. It’s a 30-minute drive from Cambridge and you can choose a lodge that sleeps from 2-6 people, or book Egret House, a two-bedroom cottage. headfencountryretreat.co.uk CLOSER TO HOME HEAD FEN COUNTRY RETREAT
The Wild Boar’s mouthwatering food and drink with a hike in the beautiful Lakeland surroundings; or alternatively just curl up in front of a roaring log fire!
you feel involved in the action as head chef Miroslav Likus and his team bustle about preparing your feast. Another treat is The Wild Boar’s ‘alternative afternoon tea’, which does away with delicate finger sandwiches and sugary confections in favour of Wild Boar sliders, ox cheek nuggets and pork scratchings. The rooms While downstairs is every inch the traditional Lakes inn, complete with crackling fires, oak beams and weathered chesterfields, the bedrooms have a more modern feel. We stayed in the rather palatial White Room, which boasts its own balcony and a vast bathroom complete with freestanding copper tub, rainforest shower and luxurious toiletries. After a long trek around the lakes, a happy afternoon was spent curled up by the wood- burning stove in the centre of the room, thumbing through the classic books that line the shelves. The ludicrously large and comfortable bed proved
hard to leave come morning, while the refreshments provided in the room were a lovely touch. What to do Cocooned in the cosy comfort of The Wild Boar, it’s hard to motivate yourself to do much of anything apart from enjoying Grade A downtime, but there’s plenty on offer in the area if you want to get out and about. Explore Swallows and Amazons land, complete with a trip to Wild Cat Island, on a boat trip on Lake Windermere, or step inside the magical world of Peter Rabbit and co at the Beatrix Potter museum. Also in Windermere, The Fizzy Tarté offers whimsical cocktails and gorgeously crafted sweet treats which make the perfect reward for a day’s hiking. The Drunken Duck, one of the Lake District’s most acclaimed eateries, is around half an hours’ drive, or you can book a clay pigeon shooting experience at The Wild Boar’s on-site shooting range. Prices start at £121 for bed and breakfast. Find out more at englishlakes.co.uk/the-wild-boar
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