Clifford Mill House

The mill race still runs beneath the house, a soft hush of water you'll hear from your pod at night, a reminder that this handsome stone building once earned its living from the River Nene.

This is a good shout for couples wanting something between camping and a hotel, or anyone exploring Northamptonshire's quieter waterside corners who fancies a pod with a bit more comfort than canvas. The guest house rooms offer a proper B&B experience, while the pods give you that outdoor feeling without the tent pegs and guy ropes. Dog owners should ask ahead to check what's possible. It's open all year, so it works for winter breaks as well as summer trips.

Facilities aren't detailed, so worth ringing to check what's on offer before you book. Campfires may be allowed depending on conditions — ask when you arrive. The vibe feels more boutique bolthole than bustling campsite, somewhere you'd come to unwind rather than fill the days with activities, with that constant gentle soundtrack of the mill stream as your backdrop.