There’s something for every type of staycationer at Clopton Courtyard in Tadlow. Anyone seeking a countryside escape will be in heaven with the endless bucolic views out the back door, while culture seekers after a city break will love being able to reach the historic university town of Cambridge within 20 mins.

The luxurious purpose-built barns, all set around a courtyard, are super flexible too, with options for romantic breaks, family getaways and large group celebrations like hen dos, big birthdays, wedding groups and corporate stays. With the space to sleep up to 24 people, just imagine how much fun you could have booking out all six barns with your nearest and dearest – enjoying champagne in the three hot tubs and dining around the fire pit in the open-sided barn as the sun sets. No member of the family has to miss out on the luxury because many of the barns are dog-friendly too, and with so many glorious walks in this part of the county it’s a brilliant place to bring man’s best friend.

A lot of love (and hard graft!) has been poured into these gorgeous barns. Owners Cathy and Duncan got the idea for the business during a trip to Chumbe Island, Zanzibar. Granted the Cambs countryside doesn’t exactly have the white sand beaches and turquoise seas of East Africa, but the couple loved the eco-friendly credentials of the island retreat, and so transformed a dilapidated farmyard in Tadlow into a gorgeous sustainable self-catering business (all while raising a young family in true Grand Designs style!). The timber frame barns were built using reclaimed materials such as bricks and tiles from the former site. Plus there’s a renewable biomass boiler that powers the cosy underfloor heating throughout the barns and Scandi wood burning hot tubs in three of the properties.

What we love the most about these barns though is that each one has a distinct personality and are all named after strong women from the owners’ families. Cathy’s late mum is honoured in the Annie barn with cool interiors that reflect her love of all things luxe, the sixties and shopping trips to Liberty. The interiors of the other barns – Amba, Marney, Alice, Lily and Matilda – all continue in this cool, personalised fashion including one inspired by a shoe designer sister and another inspired by a sibling’s love of quirky cool Shoreditch. Each barn has something that’ll make a stay extra special, from free-standing baths in the bedrooms to undisturbed countryside views from huge sliding glass windows. Lily Barn even comes with its own separate Sheringham Shepherds Hut, meaning it can sleep up to 6 people.

As well as being close to Cambridge with its many historic colleges, buildings, museums and restaurants, it’s an easy train journey to the capital from this South Cambs location. You’re also perfectly placed to discover the best of North Herts and Bedfordshire. Wildlife lovers will be in their element here too, with RSPB’s HQ, The Lodge at Sandy, just a 10-minute drive away.

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