A rural spot a deux – a perfectly formed conversion on the Suffolk-Essex border with two pubs within staggering distance. There’s a nice walk from the abode through the cornfields where you can play at being in a 70s Timotei ad, if you luck out with the weather. The Pump House, from £303 per weekend.
If you’re comiong to/fro London really do stop off at the Secret Nuclear Bunker at Kelvedon Hatch. Being en route it’s minimum effort for maximum return. This is a mega cold war bunker with an inner core housing just four tables – one of HRH, one of the Prime Minister, one for the head of the army, and the other I’m not sure – head of the Royal Navy? RAF? Head barman at Claridges? A decent Indian chef? Can’t quite recall. It’s stuffed full of old BBC comms kit which is so fabulously dated even though its technically not that old. And they’ve got Threads on dvd on loop and Protect & Survive books in the shop. Can it get any better….you might even catch sight of a lesser-tanned member from TOWIE in nearby Brentwood.
The Pump House, Stoke by Nayland, Suffolk
