Time was when children were lucky if there was a kiddies’ menu and a climbing frame to amuse them on holiday. Now, trampolines, seashore foraging and painting sessions mean that the little people get the same treatment as the grown-ups
Chewton Glen
You might not expect a world-class hotel like Chewton Glen in the New Forest to be particularly welcoming to children but you’d be mistaken: the hotel’s approach is to make everything as child-friendly as possible, with welcome activity packs for little ones, a range of DVDs and PlayStation, a cupboard full of games including Junior Scrabble and baby Wellington boots for the ever-popular beach walk nearby. For even tinier guests there’s bottle warmers, swimming nappies, high chairs and cots. Top marks for all-round family service. chewtonglen.com
Bedruthan Steps
Bedruthan Steps in Cornwall has been welcoming all three generations of family, from grandparents down to the little ones, for more than 50 years, and for good reason – its mix of light and airy contemporary furnishings, stunning coastal location – you can watch the waves crashing from your bed – and myriad child-friendly activities, from pool tables and Jungle Tumble to outdoors playgrounds, three outside swimming pools and an inside swimming pool, make it a Mecca for families. One thing’s for sure: nobody is going to get bored during a stay at Bedruthan Steps. bedruthan.com
Wheatsheaf Inn
Dog-friendly, child-friendly, adult-friendly – the Wheatsheaf Inn in the Cotswolds prides itself on being welcoming and accommodating to all, whether it’s a dog bowl for canine visitors or baby cots (free), and fold-out Z-beds for under-16s (£25 a night). Babysitting with Rocking Horse Nannies can also be arranged at a week’s notice. cotswoldwheatsheaf.com
Browns Hotel
Victorian splendour meets contemporary chic at the Olga Polizzi-designed Brown’s Hotel in London, which extends as warm a welcome to children as it does to their parents. Extra beds can be put into rooms for a £75 charge (+VAT), and cots are free. roccoforte.com
The Ickworth
While the grown-ups relax with some feet-up, chill-out time in the spa or read a paper, children are encouraged to get adventurous finding a giraffe in the walled garden, spotting deer on the estate, exploring the fairy garden, visiting the farm animals and cycling along woodland trails. There’s also a great pool, and in the evening parents can turn the children over to expert crèche staff and babysitters, and switch on the baby-listening system. ickworthhotel.co.uk
Fowey Hall
Decked out to accommodate children, dogs as well as grown-ups, Fowey Hall in Cornwall has 12 family suites and plenty of interconnecting bedrooms, so you can choose the best way to suit your family needs. Kids can eat bangers and mash, bounce on the trampoline, paint pictures and play Wii, as well as zoom down the zip wire, splash in the pool and collect eggs from the chickens. There’s also complimentary crèche facilities, baby-listening system and games rooms ensure that children of all ages are entertained. foweyhallhotel.co.uk
The Pig Hotel
A classic country house hotel with a cool contemporary vibe, The Pig Hotel in the New Forest is a young family’s dream destination – think roaring log fires, squidgy sofas and an atmosphere that positively embraces the little people. The family rooms have a large double bed, space for a cot or camp bed, a separate bunk room for children up to 12 (below) and an ensuite bathroom with 6ft monsoon shower and freestanding bath. thepighotel.com
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