Spanhoe Lodge

The gravel crunches underfoot as you pull up to Spanhoe Lodge, a handsome stone building set in the rolling Northamptonshire countryside where the hedgerows are thick and the sky feels properly wide.

This is one for couples after a cosy base or small families who fancy something between camping and a hotel stay — there are camping pods for those who want a touch of the outdoors without the full tent experience, plus guest house rooms if the weather turns or you're after proper sheets and a hot shower without the walk. It's tucked into Corby's rural fringe, where the landscape opens into big arable fields and quiet lanes, perfect for cyclists or anyone craving a slower pace away from motorway services and retail parks.

Dogs are welcome by arrangement, so check when you book if you're bringing your four-legged companion along. Campfires depend on conditions and season, so ask on arrival if you're hoping for an evening by the flames. Open all year, it's the sort of spot that works for a last-minute winter escape as much as a summer weekend, with a genuinely flexible, low-key feel throughout.