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fully equipped and beautiful self-catering cottages. For the adventurer, perhaps glamping by the sea? The spacious yurts and luxury shepherd’s hut give you all the freedom without the fuss. On-site, you’ll find a heated indoor pool, children’s play areas and peaceful woodlands – a short walk from Cromer beach. For more nature-fuelled escapades – this time on the Norfolk-Suffolk border – head to Fritton Lake (frittonlake.co.uk) . Part of the Rewilding Britain network, the unique resort is at the forefront of WildEast (wildeast.co.uk) , a movement which launched last summer to return 20% of East Anglia back to nature. The private holiday club is set in 1,000 acres of unspoilt, sustainable wild land, and you can stay in a choice of woodland cabins, farm cottages or boutique hotel rooms in the 16th-century clubhouse. As well as heated swimming pools, tennis courts and cycling trails, at the heart of the resort is a two-mile-long lake where you can paddle board and go wild swimming. This year, a new Scandi-style floating sauna will be open, located on a pontoon so it can gently move around while you drift away. Further south into the heart of Suffolk, and close to the old Roman settlement of Coddenham, is the rural eco-escape, Retreat East (retreateast.co.uk) . Found on a former dairy farm, there are a selection of barns to stay in, all set around a central 16th-century farmhouse. Here, head chef Adam Spicer brings his passion for local, seasonal produce to Retreat East’s restaurant, The Great Barn. Drawing on homegrown produce picked straight from
Family Hotels group – offers something for all ages. Found in the rolling Suffolk countryside, and within 1,800 acres of parkland, the hotel has family suites and private apartments in The Lodge. From the Matilda afternoon tea to the spa with indoor pool – this is the perfect base from which to explore Suffolk’s quaint seaside villages and timeless ‘Constable Country’. Just south of Cambridge, Sandon Manor in Buntingford may be strictly found in Hertfordshire, not East Anglia, but nonetheless it’s a hidden gem. The Georgian mansion is tucked away in 1,200 acres of grounds (currently being rewilded) and is an exclusive-use property – meaning you are lord or lady of the manor for the duration of your stay. Ideal for special occasions, weddings or holidays with family and friends,
the retreat’s organic kitchen garden – or sourced from trusted suppliers in the surrounding area – you can tuck into delights such as spring Suffolk chicken with potato terrine, sorrel and BBQ spring onions and sweet gooseberry compote. There are new spa barns to relax in, but for a romantic stay for two, book The Piggery, which has exposed beams, a luxury bathroom, courtyard garden and statement pink bed. Alternatively, if it’s family-friendly fun you are searching for, The Ickworth Hotel (ickworthhotel.co.uk) – part of the Luxury
This is the perfect base to explore Suffolk’s quaint seaside villages
60 MARCH 2023 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
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