Here are the Good Hotel Guide’s Editor's Choice selections for best family hotels.
2021 Editor's Choice Family Hotels
Best family friendly hotels in UK
Woolley Grange - Gourmet Two Night Break Special Offer
Bradford-on-Avon
An unstuffy atmosphere reigns in this Jacobean manor with crèche, where little ones can go egg collecting or pond-dipping while adults enjoy the spa. Kids can tuck into high tea before being tucked up, and there’s fine dining for grown-ups.
Chewton Glen - 4 Nights for the Price of 3 Special Offer
New Milton
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.
Augill Castle - 25% Discount Special Offer
Kirkby Stephen
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.
Trefeddian Hotel
Aberdovey
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.
Porth Tocyn Hotel
Abersoch
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.
The Colonsay
Isle of Colonsay
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.
Bedruthan Hotel and Spa
Mawgan Porth
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.
Ballyvolane House
Fermoy
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.
Moonfleet Manor
Fleet
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.
Calcot & Spa
Tetbury
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.
2020 Editor's Choice Family Hotels
Best family friendly hotels in UK
Woolley Grange - Gourmet Two Night Break Special Offer
Bradford-on-Avon
One of the first country house hotels to welcome families, this mellow Wiltshire manor continues to delight all ages. Extensive grounds contain a grass maze and play garden with tractor; indoors, there’s a crèche, games room, pool and spa.
Chewton Glen - 4 Nights for the Price of 3 Special Offer
New Milton
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?
The Nare - Spring Garden Breaks Special Offer
Veryan-in-Roseland
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.
Trefeddian Hotel
Aberdovey
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.
The Blakeney Hotel
Holt
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.
The Colonsay
Isle of Colonsay
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.
The White House
Herm
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.
Moonfleet Manor
Fleet
‘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.
Calcot & Spa
Tetbury
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.
Roundwood House
Mountrath
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.
2019 Editor's Choice Family Hotels
Best family friendly hotels in UK
Star Castle - Autumn full board Special Offer
St Mary's
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.
Augill Castle - 25% Discount Special Offer
Kirkby Stephen
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.
The Grove
Narberth
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.
Bedruthan Hotel and Spa
Mawgan Porth
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.
Ballyvolane House
Fermoy
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.
Moonfleet Manor
Fleet
Family rooms, all-weather play facilities, beaches for fossil hunts, a crèche, babysitters, a baby pool, flexible meal options, treatment rooms and adult-only dining keep all generations in clover at this country manor house close to Chesil Beach.
Fowey Hall
Fowey
‘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.
The Rose & Crown
Snettisham
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.
Longueville Manor
St Saviour
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.
Glenapp Castle
Ballantrae
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.
2018 Editor's Choice Family Hotels
Best family friendly hotels in UK
Chewton Glen - 4 Nights for the Price of 3 Special Offer
New Milton
Readers are ‘unable to fault anything at all’ at this ivy-clad country house hotel on the edge of the New Forest, ‘the ultimate luxurious and indulgent treat’.
Augill Castle - 25% Discount Special Offer
Kirkby Stephen
With its towers and battlements, wood-panelled walls and ornate ceilings, this Victorian-folly castle set in acres of grounds still manages to be ‘very relaxed; we never felt we had to be on our best behaviour’.
Trefeddian Hotel
Aberdovey
Treffedian Hotel has closed, but hopes to reopen in February 2021. It may have a four-star rating, but there is nothing too swanky about this child-friendly, dog-friendly hotel overlooking Cardigan Bay, across the road from dunes, golf links and white-sand beach.
The Colonsay
Isle of Colonsay
The island’s only hotel is set on a hillside above the harbour, and has sweeping views across the bay to Jura.
The White House
Herm
With no cars, and white sandy beaches, this tiny island paradise has just one hotel.
Bedruthan Hotel and Spa
Mawgan Porth
There are grandparents who today cherish childhood memories of holidays at this family-friendly hotel.
Ballyvolane House
Fermoy
A house-party atmosphere prevails at Jenny and Justin Green’s Italianate mansion set amid romantic gardens and parkland.
Moonfleet Manor
Fleet
It’s one long round of fun at this family-friendly hotel, centred on a Georgian manor house overlooking Chesil Beach and the Fleet Lagoon.
Fowey Hall
Fowey
There are lots of good things to report about this family-friendly spa hotel this year.
Calcot & Spa
Tetbury
‘We had a wonderful family holiday here.
2017 Editor's Choice Family Hotels
Best family friendly hotels in UK
Woolley Grange - Gourmet Two Night Break Special Offer
Bradford-on-Avon
Fun time, mucking-in time and adult ‘me time’ are all part of the deal at this rambling Jacobean manor turned child-friendly and dog-friendly hotel, with extensive grounds.
Augill Castle - 25% Discount Special Offer
Kirkby Stephen
With its towers and battlements, wood-panelled walls and ornate ceilings, this Victorian-folly castle set in acres of grounds still manages to be ‘very relaxed; we never felt we had to be on our best behaviour’.
Trefeddian Hotel
Aberdovey
Treffedian Hotel has closed, but hopes to reopen in February 2021. It may have a four-star rating, but there is nothing too swanky about this child-friendly, dog-friendly hotel overlooking Cardigan Bay, across the road from dunes, golf links and white-sand beach.
Porth Tocyn Hotel
Abersoch
‘I would love to keep it to myself, but I thought I should share the good news.
The Colonsay
Isle of Colonsay
The island’s only hotel is set on a hillside above the harbour, and has sweeping views across the bay to Jura.
Bedruthan Hotel and Spa
Mawgan Porth
There are grandparents who today cherish childhood memories of holidays at this family-friendly hotel.
Tresanton
St Mawes
Tumbling down cliffs overlooking Falmouth Bay, Olga Polizzi’s glowing white Tresanton shows how to put style into a family-friendly seaside hotel – at a price.
Moonfleet Manor
Fleet
It’s one long round of fun at this family-friendly hotel, centred on a Georgian manor house overlooking Chesil Beach and the Fleet Lagoon.
Fowey Hall
Fowey
There are lots of good things to report about this family-friendly spa hotel this year.
Longueville Manor
St Saviour
A sense of history pervades this 14th-century manor house, festooned with wisteria, which sits in landscaped grounds in a wooded valley.
2016 Editor's Choice Family Hotels
Best family friendly hotels in UK
Congham Hall
King's Lynn
In summer, visitors buzz like contented bees around a garden of almost 400 herb varieties at Nicholas Dickinson’s Georgian merchant’s house-turned-hotel.
Calcot & Spa
Tetbury
‘We had a wonderful family holiday here.
The Evesham Hotel
EVESHAM
A self-confessed ‘quirky’ establishment, this family-friendly hotel has been run by John and Sue Jenkinson for 40 years. They have appointed David Field as manager, and stepped back ‘to concentrate on the bits we really enjoy’.
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