Be prepared to be nagged to return here once the youngsters have experienced the fairytale children’s club, indoor and outdoor pools, cooking classes, golf and tennis. And if you book a treehouse suite, they may never agree to leave.

Take a hotel on Chesil Beach with fossils and smugglers’ tales galore, add a huge indoor play area with traversing wall and soft play area, a spa with indoor pools, plus an Ofsted crèche, and you’ve got the recipe for a happy family holiday.

If staying in a Victorian folly of a castle isn’t enough of a treat for the kids, there’s a games room, cinema and tennis court at Augill. It’s antique-filled but relaxed, with some seriously romantic bedrooms for the grown-ups.

A favourite for multi-generational families, and five minutes from the beach, Trefeddian has oodles of space for all ages. After time in the pool or in the indoor or outdoor play area, there’s early supper or kids’ menus at family meals.

It’s no surprise that parents who visited this coastal hotel as children return with their own families: it has everything from high chairs and cots to a games room and outdoor pool. It’s gloriously relaxed, with different dining options.

It feels like a family holiday from yesteryear at this easy-going island hotel, reached by ferry. There are beaches to comb, seals to spot and bikes to hire. Families and locals mingle in the bar and the restaurant has children’s menus.

This sister hotel to the nearby adults-only Scarlet goes all out for families, with dawn- to-dusk activities. Take them surfing on the beach or enjoy a family spa session. You’ll find all the clobber you need for young children, too.

It’s a home rather than a hotel, say owners Jenny and Justin Green, and a very family-friendly one at that. You can expect trampolines and a tree house, animals to feed, eggs to collect, bikes to ride and games galore. There are glamping tents in summer.

It’s not just about the kids at this play-and- stay option, which has set splash times in the pool, so adults get some quiet time. On hand is everything from a crèche to a cinema, plus more baby gear than some people have at home.

Be warned: you’ll raise children’s expectations sky high by taking them to this super-luxury hotel. Will anything ever match sleeping in a Treehouse suite with hot tub, 35 feet above ground? Or fun and games in the new fairytale children’s club?

A great place for three-generation family holidays; adults are cosseted by immaculate service and comfort, while children are kept busy with lovely Carne beach, swimming pools, tennis and family painting sessions with a resident artist.

‘I’m bored’ is just not an option at this friendly hotel on the Dorset coast. A huge indoor games room, swimming pools for all ages, a skittle alley and fossil hunts are on tap; an Ofsted crèche, high tea and baby listening give parents a break.

Generations of families have enjoyed the view across Cardigan Bay from this popular hotel that’s just a five-minute dash from the beach. But first you have to tear yourself away from the games room, indoor pool, putting green and tennis court.

Even north Norfolk’s glorious beaches have their drizzly days, and families will find happy refuge here in the games room (pool, table tennis, darts) and indoor pool. Children’s lunch and tea is served, as well as half portions from the adult menu.

Children love the adventure of a ferry ride to an island. Here there are bikes to hire, dolphins and seals to spot and white-sand beaches – as well as the purest of air. Not to mention board games, a kid’s menu and a laid-back vibe.

There’s something of Kirrin Island about car-free Sark, where children can be let off the leash. The Famous Five would have had an awfully jolly holiday at this traditional country house in gardens with tennis, croquet and solar-heated pool.

This converted Cotswold farmhouse has just the right level of sophistication to make it feel special, offset by an unstuffy atmosphere, a superb spa, crèches and children’s clubs for under- and over-eights and bikes for cycling round the grounds.

Set in 18 acres near the unspoilt Slieve Bloom mountains, this is a wonderfully relaxed and relaxing family home. Cots, kid’s supper and child beds are offered, with babysitting on request – though it’s worth staying in for Paddy Flynn’s superb dinners.

‘There’s Toad Hall…’ said the Rat, ‘…one of the nicest houses in these parts.’ Nice, indeed. And with so much laid on for kids at this manor house (said to have been Kenneth Graham’s model for Toad Hall), parents can truly relax.

Children thrill to stay in this fantasy castle with its free-and-easy ethos. Books and games, a cinema, flexible meal times, tennis, a playground and ‘Little Cooks’ school add up to a recipe for a happy holiday.

Now here is the real thing, an Elizabethan stone house within star-shaped fortress walls. Tim the boatman offers sea trips. You can swim in the indoor pool, play tennis, go horse riding, hire an electric Scilly Cart or take afternoon tea on the ramparts.

Baby and Toddler and Toddler and Time Out breaks are available at this super- family-friendly, Scandi-style seaside hotel. Children’s menus and sophisticated dining, a happy, laid-back vibe and plenty of activities keep everyone entertained.

The relaxed, welcoming atmosphere at this Georgian country house on a working farm makes everyone feel instantly at home. Young guests have woods to explore, a tree house to discover, animals to feed, new-laid eggs to collect.

From bangers and mash and knickerbocker glory, to a walled garden with climbing frame, early suppers, high chairs, cots, crayons and colouring books, children are more than merely tolerated at this fun 14th-century pub.

A fairy trail beguiles little ones at this Georgian mansion in gardens and woodland. With boules, croquet, bike rides, an Iron Age settlement and sandy beaches, you’ll never hear ‘I’m bored!’ Family suites and early supper are available.

It’s one long round of pleasure for kids at this Jersey manor-house hotel, with nature trails and treasure hunts, cookery classes and tennis lessons, beaches and pool. Babysitting and baby listening allow carefree evening dining.

Wellies of all sizes await outdoor types at this Scottish baronial castle on the Ayrshire coast. Take a boat trip with a picnic to see seabirds on Ailsa Craig, roam woodlands, go mountain biking, play tennis, quoits, giant pick-up-sticks.