In search of a family holiday that’s first and foremost parent-pleasing? Whilst a lot of things change post-birth your love for stylish considered travel doesn’t need to be one of them. We’ve rounded up six of the best family hotels UK for your next staycation with your little one.
Tiny Travelship is an expert resource for millennial mamas seeking the vibe of holiday they were used to pre-baby; a global community of parents who share their favourite places to stay and play around the world. Think less beige buffets and plastic fantastic kids clubs, and more stories snap-worthy interiors, great food and genuine support from the staff.
Luckily, if you know where to look, the UK isn’t short on baby-friendly boutique breaks. We’ve rounded up our top six stays guaranteed to please the whole family.
Best Family Hotels UK for 0-12 months
The younger the babe the easier it is to travel. Make the most of your tiny traveller being easily and willingly transported, and holidays still being about what you as parents want to do. The name of the game here is convenience; look for properties that provide parental paraphernalia, age-appropriate childcare and a little R&R. As you reach the weaning and walking stage, look for self-catering options. This doesn’t have to be a Villa or Airbnb, some hotels offer kitchenettes in their rooms.
Woolley Grange, nr Bath, Wiltshire
If a parent-friendly holiday means childcare to you, you can’t go wrong with a stay at Woolley Grange, part of the Luxury Family Hotel group. True to their name, no one does luxury family-friendly holidays better in the UK. It can be difficult to find hotels with creche facilities for babes in arms (many start at 2+), but Woolley Grange welcomes babies as young as 12 weeks into their Ofsted-registered Woolley Bear’s Den. You get 90 minutes free childcare a day (so you can enjoy the spa) plus complimentary baby listening devices that work anywhere in the hotel (so you can enjoy an adults only dinner). Packing needn’t be a stress either; with everything from cots and nappy bins to bibs and changing mats provided. Chefs will happily provide pureed food plus there’s a 24 hr bottle washing and milk provision service.
‘Woolley Grange restored my faith in holidays with a little person. I felt like I had more of a break in the two nights we were there than I did in previous week long holidays with our little boy’
Bethan
Glebe House, Colyton, Devon
For those looking to be wined and dined look no further than Glebe House. A family-run restaurant with rooms, it gives a taste of Italy in Devon. Owners Hugo and Olive have created a warmly welcoming home-from-home. The interiors are to die for (think pink and pistachio hues, hand-painted lamps, floral wallpapers and velvet headboards), and as parents to a toddler themselves the space has been designed with comfort in mind – the cocooning armchairs are the perfect feeding spots. Hilltops and headlands are on your doorstep, so don’t forget the sling! A beautifully illustrated and detailed walk book is provided in each room showcasing the owners’ favourite walks, views and pub pit stops.
‘We stayed in the beautiful Copper Beech room which had ample space to manoeuvre around the cot, as well as an expansive bathroom (with an all-important bath!), which made the bath-and-bedtime ritual a relatively seamless process. High chairs and cots were happily provided, as were simple nightly suppers suited to tiny taste buds. It felt like the baby was part of the furniture – neither overly fussed or ignored. Which felt like the perfect balance to us!’
Verity
The Farm at Avebury, Marlborough, Wiltshire
A stone’s throw from Stonehenge sits six gloriously converted stables on a working farm. The perfect retreat for rest and relaxation in the countryside, The Farm at Avebury is a breath of fresh air both figuratively and literally. Designed by parents themselves every thought has gone into how families will use the space. As well as cots and highchairs, nappy bins and baby baths are provided, plus there’s a beautiful communal courtyard outside of the rooms, within baby monitor reach, ideal for post-bedtime drinks. An elevated home-from-home, the aesthetically pleasing bright and bold interiors act as super-stylish sensory stimulation whilst the Pinterest worthy kitchens make mealtimes a breeze. A true haven for frazzled families.
‘Dreamy interiors, all the kit kids need and bonus baby animals. There were piglets and lambs, plus grown-up horses and cows, right on our doorstep when we visited, and toys from the owners’ children left in the courtyard to play with.’
Ellie
Best Family Hotels UK for 12m+
This age is the turning point when holidays need to start incorporating your tiny travellers needs a bit more, most importantly to keep them entertained. Space (both inside and out) is the real luxury here.
The Grove, Hertfordshire
A classic yet contemporary estate just outside of London, The Grove, provides the perfect combination of top notch family facilities and adult indulgences. There’s a Kids Club (2+) to rival London’s top nurseries, a dedicated splash pool for babies, a musical trail through the woodlands and the Summer pop-up not to be missed – Ralph’s Beach. The retro sandy beach is home to a heated pool and plenty of buckets and spades. What’s more, Everyman Cinema hosts complimentary outdoor screenings in the Secret Garden throughout the summer.
‘Just a 20 minute train ride from North London you can be sipping an aperitif on your terrace in less time than it usually takes to commute home. Activities for children are endless. We visited with a 7 month old, 2 year old and 5 year old – all of whom loved their stay. Borrow a bike – or a segway – and tour the 300-acre grounds, you’ll find giame games of Jenga, Connect 4 and even a six-metre-tall giraffe.’
Munveer
Gleneagles, Perthshire, Scotland
For a proper escape from the outside world check into Gleneagles. Scotland’s ‘mini kingdom’ or ‘glorious playground’ as it is affectionately known has it all – a brilliant kids club for ages 2+, a wealth of restaurants to choose from and a parent-pleasing spa, plus it is one of the greatest names in the world of golf. Toddlers will love playing make believe in the fantasy treehouse and railway carriage, whilst parents will love the opportunity to lean into the luxury lifestyle with 2 hours of free childcare a day.
‘Staff are warm and friendly – not snooty or overly attentive like in some 5-star hotels – and extremely welcoming of Tiny Travellers. Albie’s cot was set up with a toy fox, baby dressing gown, slippers and his own Bramley toiletries. It was also ‘turned down’ with our bed while we were having dinner. So cute.’
Hannah
Calcot Manor & Spa, The Cotswolds, Gloucestershire
Calcot Manor nestled in the Gloucestershire Cotswolds is not just ‘family friendly’, it’s designed with it’s littlest guests in mind, all while ensuring parents have a truly relaxing, luxury break. The Play Barn has plenty of toys for little ones, games consoles for bigger ones and even a 12 seater cinema for guests age 8 and over. The Crèche at Calcot is OFSTED registered so you can book children of all ages in for a few hours and go and relax in the dreamy spa. If you’re an active family, you’ll love the stunning nature trails, bikes, tennis and dedicated swimming sessions.
The rooms are fully equipped including beautiful wooden cots and anything else (from sterilisers, to potties, bed bumpers, high chairs to tiny bathrobes – adorable!) can be arranged too. DBS checked and first aid trained babysitters can be arranged at an incredibly reasonable £15 p/h or there is also baby monitors and a listening service, to allow parents’ to enjoy dinner in the restaurant after the children are asleep. Children can enjoy the Calcot Kids’ Tea included in their stay; delicious, nutritious homely meals served at 5:30-6pm.
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