20 of the Best Family Hotels in the UK (2025)

Preparing for a holiday with kids can easily start to feel like a military operation, what with the packing and the toy choices (not forgetting Teddy!), and making sure the hotel you’d like to stay in has a room they can configure to suit your family’s dynamics. But don’t let the problems loom so large they put you off — it doesn’t have to be difficult! In our list of the best family hotels in the UK we’ve found a really great selection that are sure to have the perfect option for your family, and to welcome you with open arms and lots of family-friendly extras. Some of them have play rooms or just room to play, kids' menus, kids' clubs, and bespoke child-centric activities. But rest assured, all of our recommendations for the best family hotels in the UK are special enough to make fantastic family memories.

For a country escape

• Chewton Glen is a New Forest classic: a gorgeous country house hotel and spa, but with some luxury tree-house rooms, with panoramic views, and serious family appeal. Even if you’re not staying in one of the tree-houses you’re still welcome in The Beehive, the hotel’s kids' club, and on the tennis courts and croquet lawn, in the pool and on the golf course...There’s also 130 acres of grounds to explore, a spa, a cookery school and an excellent restaurant.
• The Retreat at Elcot Park is a beautifully restored 18th-century country house hotel and spa set in 16 acres of Berkshire countryside. Fabulous four-poster beds and roll-top baths blend with contemporary details providing great family-friendly accommodation, some with bunk beds. Tennis coaching weekends for kids are available, plus there's an outdoor play area and dedicated child-friendly times for the indoor pool. And enjoy a range of good family walks straight from the front door. 

• Nestled in ancient woodland in the New Forest, New Park Manor offers a relaxed family escape in beautiful surroundings. The spa, swimming pool and games rooms will keep everyone entertained, plus there are endless kids’ activities, plus two hours’ free childcare for every night stayed. Families can eat in The Vinery while the Stag Restaurant and Bar is elegant for adults, with romantic lighting and chandeliers. The Canadian hot tub with fab views is the icing on the cake! 

For a beach break

• For a stylish, laidback stay set in St Mawes, Hotel Tresanton fits the bill for the whole family. Rooms feel homely yet luxurious, plus there's a a charming sun terrace or cosy sitting room with log fire for chillier days. There are family suites, a dedicated children's play room, and games room. But it's the Beach Club immediately across the road, with direct access to Tavern Beach, that makes this the perfect seaside escape. Rockpooling, shrimping, habour walks, surfing, and sailing await!
• Torquay’s Cary Arms is a gorgeous old white and blue seafront pub with a collection of 21 boutique-style rooms, suites and huts, and an incredible position on the side of a cliff overlooking Babbacombe Bay. The 10 rooms and suites in the main building are simple but chic, plus there are three self-catering fishermen’s cottages and eight fun beach huts and beach suites right on the beach (these are fantastic for families — stay here and you can open your door directly onto the sundeck and then the beach), and all with a fresh, New England-y sort of feel. The gastro-pub style food is fantastic too, and there’s a spa.
• The Nici is in a prime spot, set on a cliff overlooking the beach. Spacious rooms feature plush leafy prints and bright artwork, some with terraces and sea views. There's plenty to keep the whole family entertained here with a cinema, restaurant and bar, plus a chic pool with cabanas, and firepits. For the younger ones there's a play room with games and books, plus ping-pong and outdoor play gear. And it's just a stone's throw away from Bournemouth's award-winning beach.

• The Braye Beach Hotel, on Alderney in the Channel Islands, is an elegant, modern, 27-room beach hotel right on the island’s best sandy beach. Car-free Alderney is known for being an escape, and it’s certainly a peaceful spot to get back to nature, but there’s plenty for families to do beyond visiting the beach: the hotel is well-equipped with ‘rainy day entertainments’ — as well as a huge terrace, a lounge and games room, it also has a cinema. Plus it’s really comfortable, with a choice of eating in the fine dining restaurant or in the pub.

• The Polurrian on the Lizard is a traditional, family-friendly hotel incredibly positioned overlooking the ocean, above a sandy stretch of beach. There are just 39 rooms and suites, all light, bright and airy, indoor and outdoor pools – and indoor and outdoor play areas too – plus a creche, a gym and spa, 12 acres of clifftop gardens, a cinema room and a choice of fine or family dining.
• On a prime location between the southern Snowdonian mountains and the Cambrian coastline, sits Trefeddian Hotel. Just a 5-minute walk away, Aberdovey's award-winning beach offers four miles of magnificent, powder-soft sands. And when everyone's tired out by the fresh sea air they can return to bright and airy rooms with wonderful views. With family rooms, a child-listening service, indoor pool, a play room, outdoor play area, children's supper, and all-day lounge menu, it's the perfect package for a relaxed family stay. 

For something different

• Hotel Football is the destination for Manchester United fans, young and old! Overlooking the Old Trafford Football stadium, it offers modern bedrooms, a family-friendly restaurant, and, not surprisingly, football-related artworks. There's an on-site retro sweet shop, free sweet minibar in every room, a fantastic children's menu plus, of course, the stadium! Interconnecting rooms are available as well as cots and “Squad” rooms that have a sofa bed for two kids.

For family-friendly luxury

• The Gleneagles Hotel is a beautiful old grand dame resort hotel in a stunning Perthshire setting, surrounded by championship golf courses. You might have heard of it, but what you might not have known is how perfect it would be for a family holiday: offering the opportunity to try falconry, take a riding lesson or clay pigeon shooting, or play tennis or go fishing, swimming or cycling, or use the pitch and putt course. There’s also a range of places to eat and a spa, so there’s a lot of five star luxury to offer parents too.

For great activities

• A family retreat set in 1800 acres of beautiful National Trust grounds, The Ickworth in Bury St Edmunds offers numerous activities for parents to enjoy with their children. Wildlife-spotting in the grounds, a swimming pool, or nearby attractions such as Colchester Zoo make this a fun stay, plus there's a cinema, complimentary creche, babysitting services, and a kids' games room. Add to this the fact you'll be staying in a grand stately home where elegance abounds with stylish rooms, a spa, and restaurant, and you have a perfect escape for the whole family. 
• Lough Erne Resort in the stunning Fermanagh Lakelands has something for everyone. The youngsters will enjoy the kids' games area, movie evenings, designated pool times, and golf lessons, while the adults can relax at the Thai Spa, tucked away in a quiet corner offering restorative treatments, an indoor pool, and hydrotherapy. With four on-site restaurants ranging from casual to fine dining all tastes are catered for here. 
• It may be an elegant Jacobean Manor but you wouldn't believe how much Woolley Grange in Bradford on Avon has to offer families. Babysitting, kids' hang out zones, a play room, pool table, table football... And that's before you explore the Good Life Garden, complete with play sheds, grass maze, fairy garden, and climbing frame. Adults are well-catered for too with a spa and country house hotel comforts.

For a family-friendly city break

• An elegant Grade-II listed property, Georgian House is the ideal choice for a stylish family getaway to London. Kids will love the wizard theme – the basement rooms that are accessed through a bookshelf are Wizard & Enchanted themed Chamber rooms. Perfect for Harry Potter fans! There are kids' options in the restaurant, plus wizard-themed afternoon teas at weekends and potion making experiences.
• Edinburgh’s The George, is a grand city hotel with grand traditions – the perfect place for afternoon tea, fancy details and impeccable service. And that impeccable service extends to extra care for families too. They have a clever range of interconnecting rooms and suites, welcome gifts for children, and child-friendly menus in the superb restaurant. The location is unbeatable too, a short walk from many of Edinburgh’s top attractions.

• A family-friendly boutique hotel in a glorious Georgian listed building, No.15 is set on one of Bath’s grandest streets. You'll find vivid artwork, leather loungers, sparkly chandeliers, dolls' houses and Crossley record players. Kids will love the in-room tipis, bedtime books, kids' menu, DIY ice cream sprinkling, and instant cameras. Adults can relax in the basement spa boasting treatment rooms and vaulted copper room while the children are very well looked after by a babysitter. The team can even create a gourmet hamper for a family picnic nearby! 

For great value

• The Auchrannie House Hotel is part of a beautifully sprawling estate on the Isle of Arran. The hotel has 84 rooms, suites and private cabins and cottages, dressed in contemporary fashion, with a preference for tartan that works well in this idyllic spot. The gardens aren’t just providing a relaxing view, they’re also a setting for archery classes and tennis courts. Indoors there’s a pool, a cosy lounge and bar, a games room, and friendly restaurant.
• Soar Mill Cove Hotel is another really affordable family-friendly hotel in a fantastic seaside spot, this time a couple of miles from Salcombe. Owned and run by the same family for 30+ years, this is a spot families come back to year after year. There are 20 large rooms and suites, some with private patios and sea views, and there are another two self-catering cottages which share a private outdoor hot tub. In addition to the beach and the cliffs and the ocean, there’s an indoor swimming pool, play area and tennis court to keep your kids occupied, and there’s miles of spectacular, safe walking. Not forgetting the restaurant with a daily changing Prix Fixé menu.
• For a summer seaside holiday with kids at very reasonable rates, Beach House Hotel on the Northumberland coast is a great choice. Modern rooms are decorated in a fresh, breezy style and several have sea views. There's a bright sitting room and restaurant overlooking the lawn, plus dogs are very welcome here so the family pet can come too. And for any Harry Potter fans its location close to Alnwick is a definite plus! 

Still not sure which to book?

• Refine your search by location and check out our lists of the best family hotels in London.
• Or you could peruse the best family hotels in the Lake District, the best family hotels in York, or our recommendations for the best family hotels in Devon.
• Alternatively, you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.