The Red Lion, Cambridgeshire

Overview

Postcard-pretty 16^th-century free house tucked away in a gloriously peaceful village south of Cambridge and within easy reach of the M11.

With a historic, pink-washed exterior, the interior boasts a cosy, traditional beamed bar with green Chesterfields on worn wooden floors, crackling winter log fires and fine East Anglian ales on handpump. An informal dining area with timbers, open fire and high-backed settles leads through to a vaulted, oak-beamed restaurant, an impressive space in which to savour some top-notch pub food.

On warmer days, make the most of the fabulous walled garden - it's a peaceful spot festooned with colourful flower borders and fragrant wisteria. Grab one of the teak tables and enjoy pretty views of the village church tower.

Rooms from

Singles: £114
Doubles and twins: £139

Good to know

All major credit cards accepted
Disabled access
Alfresco dining
Parking available
Dog stay: £10

Family favourite
Families are welcome throughout the pub and smaller kids portions are available. Two interconnecting rooms are ideal for a family stay.

Dog-friendly
Dogs are allowed in the bar and overnight in all the bedrooms for a small extra charge (£10).

A touch of culture
You're only 10 miles from Cambridge via scenic back roads, so the Red Lion makes a convenient base for visiting the famous University town.

Rooms

Peacefully tucked away at the far end of the walled garden and well away from the hubbub of the pub, the eight contemporary decorated bedrooms are housed in a single storey mews style building and named after locally brewed ales and ciders.

All have a fresh, modern feel with oak floors, solid oak furnishings, bold colours and statement wall coverings. Five have quality 6ft super-king beds. Added comforts include fresh coffee and milk, Freeview TVs, telephones, and ceramic tiled bathrooms, making this the perfect base for exploring Cambridge. Guests have use of a private garden area too.

Restaurant & bar

Few pubs draw such an eclectic crowd for food, from weary drivers in search of a quick and delicious sandwich, visitors looking for some peace and quiet away from Cambridge, to locals calling by for some comfort food.

Everything is cooked fresh from locally sourced ingredients and ale comes from the nearby micro-brewery. Peruse the papers over a pint and a sandwich, tuck into a classic pub dish or something more imaginative from the seasonal menu - chicken and leek terrine with smoked bacon jam; pan-fried hake, ratatouille and citrus gel; spiced pear and almond tart with clotted ice cream. The pub is famous for its monthly Pudding Club evenings, so don't leave without trying one of their delectable delights.

Things to do

Calling all ballooning enthusiasts! Wizard Balloons fly in small, intimate groups from the launch site at Nowton Park near Bury St Edmunds, typically between March to October. Expect stunning scenery and staggering views - not for the faint-hearted!

Close to Bury St Edmunds, the National Trust property of Ickworth's spectacular Rotunda was commissioned by the 4th Earl of Bristol to house his priceless artefacts collected on tours around Europe in the 18th century. The Italianate garden includes box hedges and Mediterranean planting - so it's a must for garden lovers too.

Finally, those with a passion for portraiture should head to the fascinating Gainsborough House. The museum and art gallery stands in the centre of the market town of Sudbury and is probably most famous as the birthplace of the eighteenth-century portrait artist Thomas Gainsborough. Dating back to 1520, the house has many striking features as well as various Gainsborough paintings and portraits.