As most parents will attest, going away with children isn’t quite the same as a break pre-kids. One thing that can make the whole thing a little less stressful? The right accommodation. Somewhere where fellow diners aren’t going to give you the side-eye while your toddler throws a teatime tantrum. Somewhere where the kids can run off that endless energy and you can – dare we say it – relax. Somewhere where children aren’t just tolerated, but positively welcomed with open arms.
Luckily, the UK isn’t short on such places. From Cornwall to Perthshire, we’ve rounded-up the child-friendly hotels that are guaranteed to please the whole family. We also tapped Frankie Williams, creator of @tinytravelship, for her top tips for finding the perfect family hotel and her favourite destinations. The go-to Instagram account for super-stylish parent-friendly holidays curated by a global community of mums, Tiny Travelship is our first port of call when it comes to holiday inspo.
“When researching hotels, be savvy with your search filters,” says Frankie. “If you’re using TripAdvisor or pouring through AirBnb reviews, make sure to type ‘baby’ in the search bar for mama to mama reviews.”
“It’s always worth reaching out to the hotel for the best rate and more personalised service – they’ll know from which rooms the baby monitor will stretch to the pool or restaurant and you’ll be surprised by how much baby gear most places can offer.”
“Double check the finer details. If you’re staying in a luxury hotel, check family swim times. Whereas some places allow children in at all times, others only allow a limited number of hours a day. Look to see if there is an earlier dinner sitting for children – make sure the hotel timings suit your schedule.”
“Location location location! So you’ve found a gorgeous hotel – the next thing to do is check what’s nearby, especially when it comes to dining out. Unless you’ve mastered the car seat to cot transition, or want to eat in the hotel everyday, you’ll want to be walking distance to local restaurants.”
“Finally, don’t rule out all the incredible places on your bucket list. You’d be surprised how baby-friendly most places are, even if tiny travellers aren’t their target audience. Work out what you actually need, not just what you think you need. One of the best things about travelling with really little ones is that you’re not yet at the stage of endless activities or a pool full of slides. If all you actually need is somewhere for your baby to sleep, have a bath, and sterilise your bottles, the world really is still your oyster.”
Frankie’s Favourite Places
The Luxury Family Hotels group have hotels across the country in the New Forest, Wiltshire, Cornwall and Suffolk. True to their name, no one does luxury family-friendly holidays better in the UK. You get 90 mins free childcare a day (so you can enjoy the spa) plus complimentary baby listening devices that work anywhere in the hotel (so you can enjoy an adults only dinner).
North House Cowes on the Isle of Wight is the ultimate boutique break for bouji babies. Think Farrow & Ball decor, a restaurant which is a destination in itself, plus a family pool and babysitting.
Head to Gleneagles for life in the lap of luxury. Scotland’s ‘mini kingdom’ has it all – a brilliant kids club for age 2+, a wealth of restaurants to choose from, a pampering spa and even mini Land Rover replicas for little drivers.
9 More Child-Friendly UK Hotels
At Woolley Grange, “fun isn’t just allowed, it’s encouraged.” This Jacobean manor house is surrounded by grounds that essentially serve as an adventure playground: there’s the Good Life Garden – complete with play sheds and a tractor – a grass maze, fairy garden, and climbing frame. Indoors, you’ll find the Woolley Bears Den crèche, a swimming pool, spa and fine-dining restaurant, with a complimentary baby-listening or baby-sitting service so you can actually enjoy the latter. As an extra treat, book in for the Matilda afternoon tea.
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Perched on the shore of Ullswater, Another Place is perfectly positioned for adventures and exploring. Kids and adults can kayak, try their hand at archery, cycle or go for a dip in the lake. Inside, you’ll find the Ofsted-registered Kids’ Zone. Catering for children aged six months – 12 years, there’s forest school-style activities for small ones and a games den for older kids. Dining-wise, The Living Space offers a children’s menu from 5pm, while the Rampsbeck Restaurant has a three-course menu specially designed for younger diners from 6pm, and there’s a babysitting service available between 6.30pm and 1am if you want to enjoy a grown-up meal once the kids are in bed. You’ll also find pantry areas within the hotel with microwaves, washing-up facilities and bottles and you can reserve a foldable Micralite stroller to use during your stay.
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Crieff Hydro Hotel, Perthshire
Whether you want all the action or would rather be relaxing, Perthshire’s Crieff Hydro hotel offers it all. If you’re in the former camp, think everything from axe throwing to alpaca trekking and a huge wooden play fort. Catering to the latter is the adults-only Victorian baths, spa, gym five restaurants and free childcare. Book for at least two nights and you’ll get two hours in the kids’ club.
Book a stay here.
Tolcarne Beach Village, Newquay
A collection of beach huts and a boutique hotel nestled on a private beach on the Cornish Coast make up Tolcarne Beach Village. Welcoming families – including four-legged members – with open arms, it boasts a dedicated surf school, private hot tubs and boat tours. Tolcarne isn’t just a summer destination either – book in the cooler months and enjoy seasonal activities like storm watching sessions around an open fire. Toasted marshmallows as standard.
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If you’re looking for an extra-special family getaway, you can’t go wrong with Port Lympne. The conservation hotel and reserve in Kent offers an authentic safari experience that, while not cheap, is definitely cheaper than taking the family to Africa. Hotel guests get out-of-hours access to the park, which is home to lions, tigers, giraffes and bears to name a few. As well as the hotel, there are lodges and luxe glamping options.
Book a stay here.
A 5-star hotel that’s child-friendly? Welcome to The Grand, where little guests are greeted with a goody bag including an activity pack all about York, a balloon and “Grandollars”, a special currency for them to spend in the hotel. You’ll find children’s menus available for lunch, afternoon tea and dinner plus a brilliant mocktail menu. There’s plenty to see and do in the city itself, but the hotel also offers parent and child cookery classes and a mini-spa with treatments designed for under-16s.
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Sitting between the mountains and the sea and surrounded by lush greenery, Trefeddian offers plenty of outdoor adventure. Hit the beach – don’t forget to borrow a bucket and spade – play tennis, try out pony trekking or head to the outdoor play area. You can stay in the hotel itself or choose a self-catering cottage, and kids aged 9 and under go free throughout the year.
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Hotel Indigo Edinburgh York Place
Boasting a perfect location smack bang in the centre of Edinburgh, Hotel Indigo Edinburgh York Place has teamed up with RZSS Edinburgh Zoo to create the Ultimate Giraffe Experience – a stay in one of two giraffe-themed rooms, complete with teepee’s for the kids, and tickets to the Zoo. £3 from each is donated to RZSS to help care for the giraffes at Edinburgh Zoo and support work to protect the species in the wild.
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Holiday Inn London Regents Park
Realistically, if you’re on a city break in London with the family, you’re not going to be spending too much time in the hotel. While the recently refurbished Holiday Inn Regents Park doesn’t boast any jazzy kids experiences, it is perfectly positioned for seeing all the sights of the Capital and – wait for it – kids stay and eat for free, which means more pennies to spend on experiences and the obligatory souvenirs.
Book a stay here.
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