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Ashworth House - Oundle

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Comfy, cosy B&B

If you’re looking for a budget break away, or even if you have loads of money but want something a little more intimate, you really can’t do better than a good British B&B, and the cute Ashworth House is one of the best. Situated in the very pretty medieval market town of Oundle, it is the perfect place base from which to explore this oft-ignored bit of England.

Ashworth’s owner, Sue Crick, has turned her gorgeous Grade-II listed town house into a tiny B&B, with just two cosy bedrooms and a welcoming little guests’ sitting room. The décor is light, airy and simple, with everything you need stylishly provided with as little fuss as possible. Guests are welcomed with homemade cake and tea, and are then left to enjoy the relaxing home-from-home that Sue has created.

Breakfasts are fab and filling, and you can even book a rustic, home-made supper if you really want to avoid the busy world outside for a weekend.

Where is it?

Oundle is an ancient market town, famous for its attractive and sprawling public school. Sitting in the pretty Nene Valley, on the banks of the river itself, the town is skirted by water meadows, which are hugely popular with walkers and anglers.

The town centre is dominated by limestone buildings, Oundle School Houses, antique shops, cafes and cosy pubs. It’s a great place for doing nothing much, but is also perfectly placed to explore the lovely Nene Valley further. The best way to do this has to be by steam train – The famous Nene Valley Railway (www.nvr.org.uk Tel: 01780 784444) leaves from Wansford, 8 miles from Oundle. Used in countless films and TV programmes, from Poirot to Octopussy, it’s still the most romantic way to travel. The railway stops at several points between Wansford and Peterborough, including Ferry Meadows, from where you can walk to the heart of the 500-acre Nene Country Park.

If you’d rather stick to walking, the valley offers a huge selection of trails and riverside walks. One of the best is the 4-mile walk from Oundle to Lyveden New Bield (www.nationaltrust.org.uk Tel: 01832 205358), a never-completed Elizabethan mansion in its own really gorgeous gardens.

Further afield (about a fifteen minute drive from Oundle) is the historic town of Stamford. Lauded as ‘the finest stone town in Britain’, its conservation status has left Stamford in a bit of a picturesque timewarp – a period film maker’s dream. Just outside the town is the awe-inspiring Burghley House (www.burghley.co.uk Tel: 01780 752451), used as a location in countless films, including Pride & Prejudice, Elizabeth and The Da Vinci Code. For even more amazing architecture (and plenty of drunk students to boot), an hour’s drive in the other direction will take you to Cambridge. Read The Weekenders Guide to Cambridge for more information about what to see and where to eat in the city.

Oh, and last but not least, visit the nearby village of Ashton, half a mile from Oundle, in October, and experience the once-in-a-lifetime event that is The World Conker Championships (www.worldconkerchampionships.com). If you reserve your place early enough, you can even take part…

Where can I eat?

Oundle has good pub grub-a-plenty, but is not generally considered a top gastronomic hotspot. The friendly and authentic San Giorgio’s (www.sangiorgio.co.uk Tel: 01832 272720) is a nice little Italian in the centre of town, but for a special night out, you need to venture a little further out.

For summer dining, you can’t beat The King’s Head at Wadenhoe (www.kingsheadwadenhoe.co.uk Tel: 01832 720024), a gorgeous river-side village 3 miles from Oundle. Named by the Sunday Times as the UK’s best riverside pub in Britain, you can sample a delicious and colourful menu, while sitting right on the banks of the River Nene. Another gastropub gem is The Falcon Inn (www.thefalconinn.co.uk Tel: 01832 226254) in the pretty village of Fotheringhay, 4 miles from Oundle. Recently taken over by a passionate local couple, the menu is fresh and vibrant, with lots of local and seasonal ingredients. Fantastic home-made ice cream and an exciting wine list are the icing on the cake.

For something really special, the amazing Hambleton Hall (www.hambletonhall.com Tel: 01572 756 991) is more than worth the 40 minutes’ drive from Oundle. Set in a beautiful Victorian country hotel on the banks of Rutland Water, the Michelin-starred restaurant is an amazing fine dining experience. Multi award-winning chef Aaron Patterson has created an astonishing menu, with set menu options for anyone who might get carried away with the A la carte option!

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Discover pretty Oundle and the lovely Nene Valley from this very cute, very cosy B&B.