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5 beds
3 rooms
Rooms sleep 2 – 4
Children welcome
The Experience
Take the London train to Audley End (55 minutes), and this Georgian farmhouse retreat is then just a five-minute drive. It’s on the top of a hill with farmland all around and has been in the Duke family for over 100 years.
Bedrooms all have views of the pretty gardens full of mature trees and wildlife; there are stairs down to one of the bathrooms. Wake to birdsong and hop down for breakfast next to the Aga in the family kitchen; Kate gives you a full English with local produce (veggie options too). In the evenings settle by the fire with a book in the guest drawing room.
You’re on the border of Essex, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire, with heaps of history and culture to dip into; walkers can join the Icknield Way, which passes near the house. Back here explore the garden, meadow and bluebell woods, or sign up to one of the wellbeing sessions (including yoga and meditation), and bushcraft events for children and parents, which are held down by the lake (check what’s available first).
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We think you'll love
- Optional yoga in the huge candlelit old dining room
- The peaceful gardens and woodland
- The warm, approachable hosts

You should know
- The family room is more lived-in
- Only large power showers are available in most bathrooms
- You’ll need to get in the car for dinner
Essentials
- Swimming pool
- Hot tub
- Garden
- Open fire / woodburner
- Breakfast included
- Breakfast available
- Meals available
- Vegetarian meals
- Oven
- Parking on premises
- Free parking nearby
- Accessible by public transport
- WiFi
- Television
- Spa
- Central heating
- Limited mobility
- Wheelchair access
- Mobile reception
- Hob
- Bar
- Barbecue
- Licensed premises
- Paid parking nearby
- Air conditioning
- Relaxation areas
- Washing machine
- Tennis court
- Microwave oven
- No smoking
- Credit cards
- Working farm
- Owner has pets
- Dishwasher
- Pets welcome
Family friendly
- Baby monitor
- Books and toys
- Children welcome
- Babies welcome
- Stair gates
- High chair
- Fire guard
- Cot available
Nearby
- Pub/bar within 3 miles
- Restaurant within 3 miles
- Shop within 3 miles
Activities
- Bikes available
- Food courses
- Kayaking
- Other courses
- Sailing
- Surfing
- Wild swimming
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Information
& pricing
Booking information
- Check in
- 4-8pm, please get in touch for early or late arrivals
- Check out
- By 10.30am
- Booking restrictions
- Minimum stay: 2 nights.
- Closed
- Rarely.
- No smoking
- Smoking not permitted anywhere in the property.
- Property
- This property is part of a working farm or vineyard.
- Owner has pets
- Animals living on the property
- Meals
- Pubs/restaurants 4 miles.
Pricing
- Nightly price
- from £95
- Surcharges
- Singles £85-£95.
- 2 Doubles
- From £95
- 1 Family room for 4
- From £125
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Accommodation
Reviews
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Kate and Rob are great hosts. We felt at home and welcome from the moment we arrived. Excellent breakfast ,pretty well anything you want cooked to order. Elmdon Lee is a good place for Est Anglian touring and visiting with Audley End and Cambridge close by. We will return to this lovely Georgian farmhouse .
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Location
The neighbourhood
Bring your bike and ask Kate and Rob for local cycle routes; walks start from the door. There are events all year at Audley End House and Gardens (under three miles away): concerts, fairs, guided walks. Saffron Walden is a four-mile drive – a pretty medieval market town with gardens, museum, cafes and pubs. Try The Three Hills pub in Bartlow (20 minutes) for dinner; Cambridge is a 30-minute drive.
Local points of interest from Kate Duke
- The Romans marched through our land and many settled nearby - they knew good fertile countryside when they saw it! The rolling hills of East Anglia are beautiful to explore whether by foot, bike or car with hidden villages and welcoming pubs.
- Close your eyes and dream of times past - this area is steeped in history both Saffron Walden museum and the multitude of Cambridge museums are irresistible. From Anthropology to Zoology, Cambridge has them all, so no worries if it rains.
- When the sun shines we have gardens galore. Bridge End Gardens with its maze and the tradition of labyrinths in Saffron Walden are fascinating. Cambridge Botanical Gardens and the charming Docwras Manor Garden are always an inspiration to visitors.
- Art - well where do I start? Henry Moore Studios and Gardens just 30 mins drive away, standing next to those sculptures is something else. Fry Art Gallery with its North West Essex collection and the outstanding Fitzwilliam Museum.
- Family fun activities can be found 3 miles away in Audley End with the 'little steam train' in the woods, spotting teddy bears in the trees and the 'fairy walk' with exquisitely crafted characters in their topsy turvy tree houses.
- But my favourite local venue? Saffron Hall, our brand new 720-seater concert hall. The acoustics are absolutely magic. Internationally renowned orchestras, classical and jazz musicians play here in Saffron Walden because they sound SO good. It's awesome!
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Introducing
Kate Duke
Rob and Kate are farmers and passionate nature, art and music lovers. They used to have sheep on the farm, now Kate runs yoga country retreats, wellbeing courses and bushcraft events. They also work with the Essex Wildlife Trust, who’ve placed three barn owl nesting boxes in their grounds and are advising them on a big woodland regeneration programme. Every year they plant more bulbs, so the springtime display is stunning. Kate also sings in the local choir.
We have enjoyed a truly wonderful stay at Elmdon Lee. It is a rare skill to be able to offer a warm and genuine welcome to guests in a private home, but Kate and her family certainly have the knack. The farmhouse is beautiful; the accommodation is of a high standard; the breakfasts are delicious. The location is utterly tranquil and yet convenient for Cambridge. It comes highly recommended.