University minibreak
If you are planning to visit your o spring now they’ve flown the nest, naturally you don’t want to stay in student digs. Here are some more classy ideas.
Rooms (based on two sharing) from £110 per night: 01179-466905, www.number38clifton.com
Rooms from £159 per night: 0845-365 4438, www.hotelduvin.com
Junior suites from £199: 0191-516 1400, www.seaham-hall.co.uk
Rooms from £125 per night: 0845-365 4438, www.hotelduvin.com
Rooms from £98 per night: 01392-281000, www.themagdalenchapter.com
The Fox & Anchor in London
Rooms from £100 per night: 020-7250 1300, www.foxandanchor.com
Rooms from £170 per night: 01869-350621, www.themanorweston.com
Rooms from £230 per night, including table d’hôte dinner and complimentary tea and scones on arrival if you mention The Lady at the time of booking: 01926-330214, www.relaischateaux.com
Contact Wendy at wendy.gomersall@lady.co.uk
RAIL, CRUISE, WALK Ffestiniog Travel’s new adventures include West Country Wanderings, a 10-day tour that blends rail travel, river cruises and the gardens and scenery of Devon and Cornwall. Departs 12 May 2014; costs from £1,140 per person.
01766-772030, www.estiniogtravel.com
ART RETREAT Lynne Franks’ The Bloom Inner Artist Retreat in Deia, Mallorca, includes tuition on how to make clay goddess gures, self-portraiture and painting through the magic of nature. 4 to 8 November, from €820 per person. www.bloomretreats.com
GARDENS OF JAPAN Japan Journeys’ 10-night Gardens Of Japan tour, with guided visits to the gardens at Korakuen in Okayama and the Shinjuku Gyoen National Gardens, Tokyo, costs from £2,895 per person. Departs 15 November and includes ights, B&B, a Japan Rail Pass and bilingual guide. 020-7766 5267, www.japanjourneys.co.uk
BEST B&Bs Sawday’s British Bed And Breakfast guide lists 700 B&Bs, with double rooms at £70 or less per night: £15.99 from bookshops or online. www.sawdays.co.uk
BRISTOL
Number Thirty Eight in Clifton, Bristol, is a luxury boutique town house B&B overlooking Clifton Downs, only minutes away from the main university and halls of residence. Many of the city’s best bars and restaurants are a short walk away, too.Rooms (based on two sharing) from £110 per night: 01179-466905, www.number38clifton.com
CAMBRIDGE
Hotel du Vin Cambridge in Trumpington Street in the city centre was a former university-owned building. Some of the 41 bedrooms and suites have private terraces, and there is a bistro, cellar bar and cosy library.Rooms from £159 per night: 0845-365 4438, www.hotelduvin.com
DURHAM
Five-star Seaham Hall sits on the cliff-top at Seaham, a 20-minute drive from Durham. The classic 18th-century mansion has both a glamorous new lounge bar and a fine-dining restaurant, and the Serenity Spa is the perfect place to unwind – guests have free 24-hour use of the spa from noon on the day of arrival.Junior suites from £199: 0191-516 1400, www.seaham-hall.co.uk
EDINBURGH
Hotel du Vin Edinburgh is housed in the former city asylum – some stressed parents might say, ‘How appropriate!’ The boutique hotel has 47 bedrooms and suites, bistro and mezzanine bar, cigar bothy, whisky snug and a wine cellar.Rooms from £125 per night: 0845-365 4438, www.hotelduvin.com
EXETER
The Magdalen Chapter is a 20-minute or so walk from Exeter University’s main Streatham Campus and 10 minutes from the St Luke’s Campus. In what was formerly the West of England Eye Hospital, the stylish hotel opened in 2012 and has an award-winning restaurant.Rooms from £98 per night: 01392-281000, www.themagdalenchapter.com
The Fox & Anchor in LondonLONDON
If London hotels are too expensive and stu y for you, try the Fox & Anchor, close to Barbican Tube station, opposite Smith eld market. There are six very stylish boutique bedrooms and a welcoming pub, The Fox’s Den, at the back, too.Rooms from £100 per night: 020-7250 1300, www.foxandanchor.com
OXFORD
The Manor at Weston-onthe- Green in Oxfordshire is a 20-minute drive from Oxford City centre. The countryhouse hotel has lovely gardens to explore as well as a popular restaurant and bar. Weather permitting, there is a pool and terrace as well.Rooms from £170 per night: 01869-350621, www.themanorweston.com
WARWICK
Finally, Mallory Court is a luxurious Relais & Châteaux country house hotel in Leamington Spa, 20 minutes from Warwick.Rooms from £230 per night, including table d’hôte dinner and complimentary tea and scones on arrival if you mention The Lady at the time of booking: 01926-330214, www.relaischateaux.com
Contact Wendy at wendy.gomersall@lady.co.uk
RAIL, CRUISE, WALK Ffestiniog Travel’s new adventures include West Country Wanderings, a 10-day tour that blends rail travel, river cruises and the gardens and scenery of Devon and Cornwall. Departs 12 May 2014; costs from £1,140 per person.
01766-772030, www.estiniogtravel.com
ART RETREAT Lynne Franks’ The Bloom Inner Artist Retreat in Deia, Mallorca, includes tuition on how to make clay goddess gures, self-portraiture and painting through the magic of nature. 4 to 8 November, from €820 per person. www.bloomretreats.com
GARDENS OF JAPAN Japan Journeys’ 10-night Gardens Of Japan tour, with guided visits to the gardens at Korakuen in Okayama and the Shinjuku Gyoen National Gardens, Tokyo, costs from £2,895 per person. Departs 15 November and includes ights, B&B, a Japan Rail Pass and bilingual guide. 020-7766 5267, www.japanjourneys.co.uk
BEST B&Bs Sawday’s British Bed And Breakfast guide lists 700 B&Bs, with double rooms at £70 or less per night: £15.99 from bookshops or online. www.sawdays.co.uk