Great family-friendly hotels in the UK
Taking the family away for a break can be more stressful than relaxing unless the hotel is geared to children. Here are some easy-going hotels where your children will be made to feel an asset and not an intrusion. Some hotels may run courses and activities specially geared to children; others may simply welcome them with open arms and cater to their needs.
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Bedruthan Steps Hotel
Mawgan Porth, Cornwall
Excellent family-friendly beach hotel - modern but with great beach views, two pools, a kids club and a spa.
101 rooms from $225Child friendly - Wide range of activities for all ages.Views - Sweeping coastal viewsKids Club - Fully staffed.Cooking classes - Check for timings.Recommended by - Good Hotel Guide -
Hotel Tresanton
St Mawes, Cornwall
A smart, classic coastal hotel overlooking the bay of St Mawes and beyond. Ideal for weekend or longer retreats with good walks and sailing nearby but otherwise few facilities within the hotel. Good restaurant.
31 rooms from $322Exclusive offer - Longing for Spring Offer!Restaurant - Specialises in fish and other local produce.Kids Club - Summer months onlyLively - Hip and happening.Sailing - Can be booked nearby. -
St Enodoc Hotel
Rock, Cornwall
Breezy, family-friendly hotel with golf, and beach on the doorstep, in buzzy Rock. Sailing club and classes, rib rides and waterskiing.
16 rooms from $419Exclusive offer - Seaside specialSailing - Rock sailing club a few yards awayChild friendly - Childrens tea providedRestaurant - 2 star MichelinSurfing - Polzeath is within walking distance, or a short drive -
Fingals Hotel
Dittisham, Devon
Quirky and delightfully informal hotel run on house party lines, near the River Dart - 'quintessentially English' - full of art, a fine lawn, with an indoor pool, gym and grass tennis.
11 rooms from $193Exclusive offer - Spring Offer - Free DinnerQuirky - You never know who you will meetLibrary - Overflowing with booksGarden - Attractive outside space.House party feel - Communal dining often hosted by the ownersRecommended by - Sawdays -
Calcot Manor Hotel
Burford
Superb all-round hotel in its own estate: the perfect retreat for families or couples with top notch rooms, spa, indoor pool, and great dining.
35 rooms from $443Exclusive offer - Mid week spa breakChild friendly - Lots of kids activities for all ages.Kids Club - Fully staffed.SpaSwimming Pool - Indoor/outdoorRecommended by - Mr & Mrs Smith, Fodors, Frommers, Good Hotel Guide, Johansens, Kiwi Collection, Michelin Travel -
Augill Castle
nr Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria
Eccentric, fabulous family castle hotel stuffed with antiques and four posters in pretty rural setting midway between the Lake District and the Dales. Good base for expeditions if you have a car. Excellent for children and families.
14 rooms from $258Child friendly - Lots to do for children, including cookery classesFull of character - Antiques, four posters, curios - a real castleCooking classes - Cookery school for kidsFour poster beds - For romantics. -
The Rose and Crown
Snettisham, Norfolk
Charming traditional pub with a stylish twist - well adapted for families, with log fires and within easy reach of the beach.
16 rooms from $145Birdwatching - At nearby Snettisham BeachSeaside - Ideal for a seaside holiday.Sailing - Can be booked nearby.Great walks - Good for walkers.Recommended by - Good Hotel Guide -
Cley Windmill
Cley-next-the-Sea, Norfolk
Characterful windmill B&B overlooking marshes of Cley, a pretty village near shingle coast where locals swim. Good birdwatching nearby.
9 rooms from $159Views - Panoramic views over the salt marshesBirdwatching - Good birding near the hotel.Seaside - Ideal for a seaside holiday.Sailing - Can be booked nearby.Recommended by - Sawdays -
The White Horse
Norfolk
Lively pub overlooking Brancaster estuary. Popular with families and sailors.
15 rooms from $153Exclusive offerBar - Very popular with locals, especially in summerLively - Hip and happening.Sailing - Can be booked nearby.Seaside - Ideal for a seaside holiday.Recommended by - Good Hotel Guide -
Star Castle Hotel
Isles of Scilly
Delightful family-run hotel set in a star-shaped castle on St Marys.
38 rooms from $309Exclusive offerViews - Some of the best views on the island.Swimming Pool - Heated indoor poolBirdwatching - Good birding near the hotel.Sailing - Can be booked nearby. -
Northbank Hotel
Seaview, The Isle of Wight
Eccentric family run hotel in a fabulous setting - the 1930s with a ‘60s twist. Forget en suite bathrooms, but for families wanting a very relaxed seaside atmosphere at reasonable rates, with lots of friends to make, it's an experience. The antithesis of boutique.
18 rooms from $145Child friendly - Overrun with children having fun in summer.Views - Overlooking the Solent.Sailing - A prime sailing spot.Swimming Pool - At the nearby Isle of Wight Sports Club. -
Lucknam Park
Chippenham, Wiltshire
Superbly run and classic country house hotel near Bath with spa and equestrian centre - extensive grounds, a grand house, and Michelin star dining - a pampering treat. Family friendly.
42 rooms from $531Garden - 500 acres of listed parkland and gardensRiding - Equestrian centre on siteRestaurant - Michelin starSpaRecommended by - Mr & Mrs Smith, Johansens, Kiwi Collection, Relais & Chateaux, Travel Intelligence, Michelin Travel -
Woolley Grange
Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire
Traditional Jacobean manor house with superb children's facilities and spa for the grown ups. Geared for families, there are a range of activities, and time off for adults.
25 rooms from $225Child friendlyFamiliesKids Club - Fully staffed.Swimming Pool - Indoor/outdoorRecommended by - Mr & Mrs Smith, Travel Intelligence -
Devonshire Fell Hotel
North Yorkshire
Glorious views outside, vibrant colours inside this funky and informal estate hotel, a contrasting twin to the more formal Devonshire Arms. Good family suites and laid back brasserie. Access to pool and spa facilities of its sister hotel.
12 rooms from $208Exclusive offer - Stay & Dine from £99Restaurant - 2 AA RosettesViews - Lovely river and countryside viewsGreat walks - Walk straight out into the DalesQuirky - An experience!Recommended by - Sawdays -
BridgeHouse Hotel
Beaminster, Dorset
Renovated country town hotel, with great food, for romantic weekending. Stylish mix of contemporary and traditional, in an excellent town for antiquing surrounded by great countryside.
13 rooms from $203Exclusive offer - Spring Breaks - Save up to 20%Sights nearby - The Jurassic Coast on its doorstepLocal markets - Local antiqueing and marketsGreat walks - Good for walkers.Fishing - Excellent fishing nearby.Recommended by - I Escape, Good Hotel Guide -
Ffynnon Town House
Dolgellau, Gwynedd, North Wales
A boutique B&B where families are actually welcome; the perfect location for discovering southern Snowdonia.
4 rooms from $201Great walks - Great hill walking on Cadr Idris or explore Snowdonia National ParkRomantic - Good for couples.Local markets - Good for local colour.Sailing - Can be booked nearby. -
Matfen Hall Hotel
Northumberland, Northumberland & Newcastle
Golf and spa resort hotel with a human touch
53 rooms from $127Golf - Full 18 hole course, plus 9 hole par three course for the less experienced.Restaurant - 2 AA Rosette Library and Print Room RestaurantSwimming Pool - 16m indoor poolSpa
Leonie Glass,
posted Wednesday, 17th February 2010
