Duke House

Tucked away in the city centre, within minutes of its historic colleges, this boutique B&B bolt-hole has a modern elegance in keeping with the house’s Victorian age, plus a pretty courtyard. Near Christ’s Pieces, one of the city’s oldest green spaces, the house was briefly owned by the Duke of Gloucester in the 1960s when he was an architecture student, hence the name. Liz and Rob Cameron have retained the Victorian features – fireplaces, ceiling roses – but given rooms a light, modern touch. The sitting room, where guests help themselves to tea, coffee and cakes, is large and light-filled with sofas, fresh flowers and books. Chic bedrooms are individually styled in pale colours, perhaps with a feature wallpaper or original fireplace; one has a balcony, and all have large bathrooms. Breakfasts, served on fine china in a room overlooking the courtyard, are commendably locally sourced with seasonal fruits in the compote; breads and granola from an artisan bakery; eggs and tomatoes from the market, and award-winning sausages from nearby Ware. For dinner, our readers highly recommend the nearby Clarendon Arms.