The Fellows House is a brand-spanking-new hotel, situated in a residential area about a 10-minute walk from Cambridge city centre.

The public areas are super stylish with art and artefacts dedicated to many of the more well-known Cambridge fellows scattered around the reception, bar and dining areas. The art is particularly interesting and was collated by expert curators Elegant Clutter, while the décor features smooth leather sofas, squashy velvet cushions, twinkling glass and glossy marble. Upstairs, many of the rooms have been designed as apartments with handy kitchenettes and dining areas so you can quickly cook up something simple before exploring the city.

Delicious deli-style sharing boards are a must-try from the café-slash-cocktail bar The Sage of Cambridge situated at the front of the hotel. Heaps of antipasti included grilled artichokes and Mediterranean veg, bowls of olives, slices of charcuterie and yummy cheeses. There are lots of locally produced things to choose from, such as fruit juices from the Cambridge Juice Company and soft drinks from Breckland Orchard, and plenty of organic and biodynamic wines. The cocktail list in the chic Folio Bar is an homage to famous fellows – it includes ‘Shaping the World’ inspired by sculptor Antony Gormley, and ‘If I May’, a tribute to author A. A. Milne. At the Folio restaurant, there are plenty of interesting plant-based dishes, such as baked romanesco cauliflower with lentil and white bean cassoulet, tofu ‘fish’ and chips, and orange-and-ginger-braised chicory, alongside the traditional options of burgers, pasta and risotto.

Cambridge is a small, manageable city to peruse with heaps to see and do. Punting is a must, and you can either rent your own punt – are you mad? – or sign up for a shared or private punt with a guide, easily the best option. Lie back, relax and be regaled with fascinating facts and saucy tales about the city and its colleges. To book, visit Rutherfords Punting. If you’d rather stay on land, then why not book a city tour with a knowledgeable and characterful guide? We were teased, taught and tormented by our guide from The Cambridge Tour Company for a hilarious couple of hours as we dashed through gardens, across bridges and down cobbled alleyways.

Drifting down the River Cam, our handsome punting expert at the helm, giggling away whilst admiring the weeping willows dipping their fronds in the water, a family of swans gliding past and the beautiful colleges.

When you get back from a long day of exploring, curl up under one of the blankets in the outside ‘Observatory’ in front of the wood-burning stove, cocktail in hand.