The Lakehouse at Coddington Mill

Tucked beside a lake in the grounds of 18thC Coddington Mill, this romantic cabin feels like a little world of its own. Ducks and black swans glide past the deck, kingfishers flash along the water’s edge and a copper bath sits outside for long soaks under the stars. It’s only 9 miles from Chester, but you’d never know it. The Lakehouse began life as a Japanese teahouse, and the garden around it was planted accordingly: maples, flowering cherries, ginkgo, willows and a magnificent dawn redwood that turns coppery-red in autumn.

When they bought the mill, owners Sally and Matt preserved the gorgeous surrounds but rebuilt the cabin from the ground up. Inside, it’s now cosy and characterful with a hand-built kitchen, woodburner and a bathroom sink fashioned from an old Singer sewing table. Outside, there’s a wood-fired oven, firepit and that glorious bath. Spring brings blossom across the water; autumn sets the trees ablaze. Take coffee onto the deck in the morning, cook outside when the weather behaves and sit by the firepit as the barn owls begin to call at dusk. Bikes are provided for the short ride to the local pub, while the Sandstone Ridge and Chester are close enough for bigger days out. Mostly though, this is a place for slowing right down.

Getting here: drive, or train to Chester then taxi (20 mins)