Hang on to Your Hat

Hang on to Your Hat: Bedfordshire

The building in which this apartment sits has had many functions in its near-two-century history — straw hat factory, corn merchants and estate agents to name a few. Today, however, you'll find a gloriously contemporary home that'll help you have an exemplary stay in Dunstable.

As you look around for the first time, you'll feel instantly at peace, something to do with the soothing greys used throughout. In the living room, a pair of purple sofas, parquet flooring and the chandelier make for a classy space in which to unwind, while the sleek corner kitchen is plenty big enough for cooking up special dinners.

As is the case with many period properties, there's an inordinate amount of natural light from the tall (triple glazed) windows — what else were you to do before the widespread introduction of electric lighting? — but you can also head down to the building's communal courtyard for your fix of Vitamin D, too. Here, there's seating and a table, as well as bicycle storage.

In local Dunstable, there are enough restaurants and cafes to keep you going, and there's a wealth of attractions that are easily reached nearby. London is only an hour away by train, but slightly closer to home, the Chiltern Hills AONB is rich with walking routes and historic sites — Ashridge Estate is twenty minutes' drive, for instance.

Home truths:
*Weekly housekeeping is included for stays longer than 7 days
*A full gym membership for a single guest is provided for stays longer than 7 days
*While there is no air conditioning, there is an air purification system which provides clean filtered air in each room
*The courtyard is shared between other apartments in the building
*CCTV is in use at the entrance and rear of the building and communal areas only
*There's no lift to reach this home on the first floor
*Your host can provide hypoallergenic pillows and cots on request
*For those arriving by plane, Luton Airport is a twenty-minute drive from this home
*Your host will reimburse your parking fees for one car in the adjacent car park at Priory Gardens