Luxury lakeside log cabins where you can relax under the stars

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Looking for a tranquil and uber-stylish place to stay in East Anglia, within easy reach of the home counties and Midlands? Then check out Cambridgeshire Lakes, the brand new luxury leisure development owned by the Alexander family boasting three bespoke Norwegian Log lodges.

With hot tubs with gorgeous countryside views, lavish interiors in three spacious log cabins and a tranquil waterside setting, the new development is sure to be a big hit in the booming staycation market.

It sits on rolling farmland once owned by the Downing family, famed for building Downing Street in London and the founding of Downing College in Cambridge. With the land now owned by the Alexanders, Cambridgeshire Lakes benefits from being just 25 minutes from the tourism hotspot of Cambridge, 45 minutes by train from Kings Cross and an easy drive from London, Birmingham and Reading.

The opening of the development marks the culmination of an ambitious project that harks back to Charlie Alexander’s days at university studying land management. “These seven acres had always been a bit redundant on our family’s farm because of their natural springs,” he explains. Charlie realised that by turning an agricultural challenge into a farm diversification positive, a lake could be created on the land forming the eye-catching focus for a small development of high-end holiday lodges.

“I was confident this could be a new way to bring income to our farm, tapping into the luxury staycation market and corporate events. Within two hours you can reach lots of cities by car from here, so it’s perfectly situated,” he says.

After gaining the relevant planning permission for the site, creating the lake and landscaping the land, Charlie approached Norwegian Log last autumn. “I had done a lot of research on log cabins and homes. Norwegian Log was competitive on price and offered the high quality product that I wanted,” he explains. “I also wanted to flex the building to suit the landscape, so slightly lower windows to give a better view of the lake and a larger, open-plan living and kitchen space. Norwegian Log was very happy to help me with that.”

Working alongside Norwegian Log’s design team, Charlie created a bespoke look and layout for the new lodges. Construction started on site in March and by May the build was complete. “Norwegian Log’s team was great, particularly Craig and John. I could be completely hands-off, just let them get on with it and they were good at making sure they kept me in the loop when I needed to be,” he says. “They were also always on the end of the phone, whenever I needed them, as a back-up.”

With the interior fit-out also now complete, the lodges are open for bookings. “I’m very happy with how they look,” remarks Charlie. “The high quality wood gives that luxury look and makes you feel like you are on holiday, like a traditional ski chalet, which is exactly what I want.”

Finished to an exceptionally high standard, each luxury lodge has two super-king bedrooms with en-suite bath and shower rooms. An open plan living area with log burner also houses a high-spec kitchen. Outside, each lodge has a private hot tub and panoramic views from the spacious decking area. A pontoon is also now being built so guests can enjoy wild swimming in the clear lake, which is strikingly blue thanks to the local blue clay soil.

Further information on Cambridgeshire Lakes can be found here.