Alington House (B&B)

The first light through Cambridge's old sash windows catches the edges of Victorian cornicing, and you wake to the slow creak of floorboards that have been settling for over a century.

This is a proper guest house in the heart of the city, offering both traditional B&B rooms and a camping pod in the garden for those who want a bit more adventure without leaving civilisation behind. It suits couples exploring Cambridge on foot, solo travellers who prefer a real bed to a sleeping mat, or anyone who fancies the novelty of a pod stay within cycling distance of the colleges. The location means you're minutes from Market Square, the Backs, and all those narrow lanes full of bookshops and coffee places that make Cambridge what it is.

Facilities aren't specified beyond the accommodation itself, so it's worth clarifying what's included when you book. Dogs are welcome by arrangement, and campfires may be possible depending on where you're pitched — ask when you arrive. Open all year, so it's there for midwinter city breaks as much as summer visits.