FOOD & DR INK
Luxurious Lodgings
t’s a little bit of London in Duxford,” laughs Philippa Infanti, when asked to sum up her uber hip new South Cambs hotel, The Lodge. “I would love it to feel like a home from home, sort of traditional with a creative twist. With the co-working space and cafe during the day, and the bar and restaurant in the evening, I want it to have a buzz around it the whole time.” Together with her husband and his business partner, she took on the property in late 2018, seizing the opportunity that arose after the hotel that used to sit at the site went into administration. “It was pretty run-down,” she says. “Peach walls everywhere, avocado bathrooms – you get the picture! We managed to nab it and had the best time doing it up. It was such a blank canvas – and we could get away with slightly more daring things like dark, moody walls, mad lights, artworks – every room has its own identity.”
There’s no denying they’ve done a phenomenal job, deftly blending the character and history of the building with modern touches to create a gorgeous boutique hotel. There are 17 bedrooms, plus you’re welcome to drop by just to eat or enjoy drinks in the bar. Food-wise, head to the basement for Graze, a funky cafe serving lunches and brunches, or in the evening, book into Scoff, where you can find a more refined menu. All ingredients are sourced from within a 30-mile radius and you can expect simple, beautifully presented dishes that sing with flavour, such as Gressingham duck with apple and celeriac, or salt-baked celeriac with heritage carrot. There’s ample parking, or the train station is a short walk if you fancy taking advantage of the delightful cocktail menu. For 2020, the hotel has ambitions to put itself on the map as a wedding venue, with plans to host a dedicated fair in the new year to show off features like the landscaped gardens and courtyard, outdoor bar and alfresco pizza oven, all of which would lend themselves brilliantly to big day celebrations.
IMAGES Duxford Lodge has a varied food and drink offering as well as its 17 bedrooms for overnight stays
“I would love it to feel like a home from home, traditional with a creative twist ”
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