Piglets Boutique Country Stay

Housed in an ingeniously renovated piggery with a large and airy brand-new timber-clad extension that forms part of Chrissie and Max Parker's Essex home, Piglets Boutique B&B is the result of a lot of travel, research and nights in hotels and B&Bs. Years of travelling around and an enthusiasm for eating out gave Max and Chrissie the idea to create the ultimate luxury B&B, and that's exactly what they've done, in what is an unusual – and unusually comfortable – Essex home-from-home. Indeed, they recently won the 'Best B&B and Guest House' award at the 2023 VisitEngland Excellence Awards – testament to their hard work. – winner of the Best B&B and Guest House of the year – VistEngland 2023

The B&B has five guest rooms, all beautifully kitted out with an impeccable eye for detail and a level of comfort that would put quite a few five-star hotels to shame. Rooms are contemporary in style and have super-king-size beds, air-conditioning, flatscreen TVs, Netflix, ultra-fast wifi, DAB radio with Bluetooth, tea- and coffee-making facilities that include Lavazza espresso machines and fresh milk, plus en-suite bathrooms with power showers, bathrobes and Ferragamo toiletries (no less!). There are lots of little extras like an ironing board and iron, a high-speed hairdryer and lots of USB charging points for all your devices. The ground-floor bedrooms have private entrances, one of the first-floor rooms has a private balcony, and the other overlooks the Mediterranean patio area. Probably the most unique feature of the property, however, is its large natural swimming pond, which some of the rooms overlook and whose decked surrounds are a perfect place for a spot of summer sunbathing.

Chrissie and Max place a real emphasis on food and drink, making sure breakfast is a big part of the experience, with an excellent Full English and lots more besides, including great locally sourced sausages, bacon and ham, plus smoked salmon, eggs all styles, veggie and vegan options and freshly made fruit salads or pancakes. They also offer various sharing platters for lunch or dinner or you can just make the most of their well-stocked 'honour bar', with its gin library, cocktails and ample choice of beer, wine, soft drinks, snacks and treats (including excellent local ice cream). And there's a comfy guest lounge with books and luxury board games and a separate TV room.

Location-wise, it couldn't be better – a hop, skip and jump from London, and just a short drive from Cambridge, yet rural enough to feel like a real escape. Their adults-only policy makes it a unique place for grown-ups to relax and unwind, whether it's in the natural swimming pond or checking out the small but well-equipped gym, extensive games room or Péntanque terrain, or by making the most of the multiple walks you can do from the doorstep. The delights of Essex's most underrated town, Saffron Walden, are five minutes away. The B&B is also a good base for Cambridge, which is just a 30-minute drive. All in all, it would be hard not to feel relaxed after a few days in the company of Max and Chrissie, who between them have created an indulgent and easily accessible place for short breaks from London and around.