OPEN UNIVERSITY

HEN THE UNIVERSITY ARMS OPENED IN 1834, travellers unhitched their horses in the stables and spent the night upstairs. These days, guests enter through the porte cochère, its grand columns belying the fact it’s a plays on repeat in the public bathroom and the carpet design is based on the university’s original tie. The 192 guestrooms and suites are situated on the top floors. The ground floor, which is a shared space, includes the reception clad in Cambridge Blue wall panelling and an impressive library where visitors can bury their nose in a book, order afternoon tea and sip on a literary-themed cocktail – a Blushing Byron or a Bloomsbury Boozer should hit the spot. The restaurant and bar, Parker’s Tavern, has wood parquetry floors, stained glass windows and college crest details. It’s reminiscent of a dining hall but here British food is served with flair, the produce is local and there’s an extensive wine list. Cheers to that.