Bethnal & Bec

Not far north of London, in the relatively rural wilds of leafy Hertfordshire, Bethnal & Bec is all about luxurious escapes. When owners Vicky and Chris left London a few years ago to open this eco-chic and very comfortable property, they wanted to create the ultimate adults-only, dog-friendly chill-out venue for weary folk looking to escape for a weekend or even longer, and do... well.. nothing in particular. Made up of three extremely comfortable self-catering retreats crafted from a former stable block, it's just 40-odd miles from London and very easy to reach from other parts of the country but it feels very rural and away-from-it-all – with countryside views and pretty much every home comfort you could imagine laid on by the thoughtful Vicky and Chris.

The retreats are beautifully kitted out, and super-cosy, with wood-burning stoves, bathrooms with rainforest showers and complimentary Aromatherapy Associates toiletries (towels, waffle robes and slippers are provided); each has its own outdoor soaking bath, fast wifi, Bluetooth speakers and good-sized Smart TVs if all you want to do is binge-watch your favourite dramas.

There's an honesty pantry, stocked with a large selection of snacks, drinks, frozen meals and locally made gin and vodka which you pay for on your in-room iPad. They also have pre-ordered dine-in food which on warm days you can enjoy at your own patio table; there are also sun loungers and your own firepit.

Of the three retreats, the newest – The Foaling Box – is also the largest. The luxury bathroom has an antique rolltop bath and a separate rainforest shower. The bedroom has a superking bed with a drop-down cinema screen. There is a big kitchen, a TV snug complete with a bespoke arcade games machine and a chaise corner where you can look out onto the Hertfordshire countryside.

Of the two original retreats, Bethnal is the larger and has a rolltop bath at the end of the bed so you can watch TV while basking in the tub. Bethnal also has a DVD player and DVD library, while Bec has its own cinema projector screen for watching movies in bed and a unique 'bath for two' with beautiful views of the surrounding countryside through the postbox windows.

Vicky and Chris meanwhile are as attentive as you want or need them to be – content to be invisible hosts but also happy to help whenever the need arises, whether it's with tips on the best walks and pubs or just advice on how to operate the unique vinyl record players they provide with the Bluetooth speakers.

In terms of environmental credentials, sustainability is at Bethnal & Bec's core: Vicky and Chris are 100% committed to becoming a net-zero business. Indeed, they're proud to have won awards and recognition for sustainability initiatives implemented so far. As part of their eco-forward ethos, they've installed electric vehicle chargers, there are e-bikes to hire, and the retreats were built using reclaimed, repurposed, recycled and rescued materials where possible. What's more, Vicky and Chris offer a free dine-in box to people arriving by train (they're just a 20-minute journey from London King's Cross).

You could spend a very happy weekend at Bethnal & Bec just making the most of your retreat, wandering down to the local pub, The Bull, where they serve excellent food, enjoying a massage, or a spot of yoga in your room (which Vicky or Chris will arrange).  But there's also plenty to discover further afield – country houses like Audley End and Knebworth, breweries and wineries to visit, and a whole host of country walks as well as some great country pubs to walk to. All in all it's an incredibly relaxing place to spend the weekend. Vicky and Chris know exactly what weary city folk want – once upon a time, they were those people!