Summer holiday season is upon us! If you’re yet to make plans, perhaps one of these tempting staycation destinations could be the answer? Take a break
F eeling a little envious as friends and family start heading off for their summer holidays? Well, why not organise a last-minute break of your own! Even if you are short on time or have a limited budget, a night or two spent locally can work wonders for relaxing body and mind – in fact, staycations are often the stress-free option, requiring very little planning or travel time. With a host of renowned hotels within Cambridge itself, the Fens on our doorstep and the most beautiful landscapes and coastlines stretching out around us in neighbouring counties such as Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex, a minibreak to remember is just around the corner. You may even be able to take advantage of late deals or special seasonal offers! So why not start your search with this selection of stays…?
1 Shangri-La House Waxham, Norfolk
Every stay includes a welcome hamper filled with locally sourced treats, the Beach Rock Bistro and Waxham Great Barn are a short stroll away for coffee and cake, and the Michelin-recognised Ingham Swan is just round the corner. shangri-la.house, @shangri_la_waxham 2 The Varsity Hotel & Spa Thompson’s Lane, Cambridge In the heart of historic Cambridge, The Varsity Hotel & Spa has everything you need for a luxurious, memorable staycation, blending riverside charm, boutique comfort and rooftop views to rival any European destination! An idyllic base for a late-summer retreat, from here you can head out for a spot of punting. Or, if you’d rather stay put, you can soak up the sunshine and sip cocktails while overlooking the city skyline
Looking ahead in the year, this peaceful Norfolk coastal retreat is taking bookings for autumn and winter, including October half-term, Christmas and New Year. Just two hours from Cambridge, but feeling like a world away, Shangri-La House is set behind the dunes of Waxham Beach. A peaceful holiday home designed by Cambridge-based Mole Architects and built to Passivhaus standards, it’s just steps away from the sandy beach, where seals gather along the shoreline and swim in the surf. With plenty of space for the whole family, Shangri-La House can sleep six, is mobility friendly (set all on one level), welcomes dogs and sits within an acre of natural garden. There’s a cosy TV snug, fast Wi-Fi, EV charger, private parking and well- equipped kitchen for relaxed evenings in.
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