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Anyone who’s been around children knows that the Family Holiday can easily become more stressful than it is relaxing. But our Gurus are here to help, having reviewed hundreds of hotels boasting their family friendly credentials and offering their candid recommendations on which of those hotels are genuinely set up with families in mind, beyond a big smiling welcome. And we think the secret to a successful family break can be found in our collection of the best family friendly hotels in the UK. This is a collection of easy-going hotels where your children will be made to feel an asset and not an intrusion. Some of our picks may run courses and activities specially geared to children; others may simply welcome them with open arms and cater to the needs of families. And we’ve found them all over; from the New Forest to the Cotswolds and Lake District.
For a coastal stay
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- Stay right on the beach in Mawgan Porth, Cornwall, at the Bedruthan Hotel, and look out over the Atlantic Ocean from 101 comfortable, modern rooms, of which there are numerous family friendly options. Or from the Herring Restaurant, which is known for its Cornish cuisine and locally sourced ingredients. There are two pools - indoor and outdoor - and a spa, plus you can arrange babysitting or complimentary baby listening.
- Or for a proper island break getaway, try the Star Castle Hotel, converted from a star-shaped castle on St. Marys, off the Isles of Scilly. There are 38 newly refurbished rooms, which are quaint but extremely comfortable, and there are two excellent restaurants. Owner Robert Francis has two passions: lobster fishing and wine and you will enjoy the fruits of both.
- For more watery views, in this case a stunning view of the Solent, consider the wonderful family time warp that is the Isle of Wight’s Northbank Hotel. This family-run property harks back to the family holidays of yesteryear — probably around the 1930s with a 60s twist! Don’t expect ensuite bathrooms, but it’s wonderfully cheap, wonderfully welcoming, colourful, eccentric and has direct beach access.
For Active Families
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- The Ffynnon Town House is a boutique, five bedroom B&B which welcomes families to the beauty of Snowdonia. Stylishly converted from a Victorian rectory, with individually designed rooms, the thing which sets this B&B apart is the way children are welcomed into the family. Read the papers over coffee in the lounge while the kids play out in the garden.
For great Value
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- Stay within striking distance of the beach, in a comfortable family room for under £100 per night at The Rose and Crown in Norfolk. This charmingly traditional pub has twisting passages, beamed ceilings and log fires, three dining rooms, three bars and a first-rate kitchen. There’s spectacular bird-watching from Snettisham beach and walks, golf and sailing on the doorstep.
- Or, you might consider Matfen Hall Hotel, a grand Gothic Northumberland pile turned into a golf and spa resort hotel, with an indoor pool, two restaurants and 300 acres of parklands and formal gardens. Here you can choose to be as active or as lazy as you like. There’s golf, walking, a Go Ape tree-top adventure course and Hadrian’s Wall on-site or nearby. Or just laze in the pool and Jacuzzi, book a spa treatment and have afternoon tea in the drawing room.
Cotswolds family friendly hotels
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- Calcot Manor Hotel is a mid-sized hotel converted from a charming stately. This superb, all-round hotel has its own estate grounds, so they’ve had plenty of space to fill it with everything you need, including a great restaurant, a stunning pool and spa, and lots of activities for kids of all ages. And it’s all stunning to boot, starting with the charming, 14th century manor house itself and continuing into the chic, but family-friendly, rooms.
In the Lake District
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- The Ryebeck, is a handsome Edwardian family home turned comfortable county house hotel in a peaceful spot overlooking Lake Windermere and just five minutes from Bowness-on-Windermere. Relaxed and informal, with 24 light, comfortable, unfussy rooms, you’re less than two miles from Beatrix Potter’s Hill Top. And there’s an excellent, unfussy, restaurant.
In the New Forest
- The wonderfully historic Master Builder’s is right on the Beaulieu River just outside Buckler’s Hard, above the river mouth. Its name refers to Henry Adams and his sons Balthazar and Edward, who built ships for Nelson’s navy, including three ships present at the battle of Trafalgar. There’s a list of the ships built here in the wonderfully atmospheric bar - where you can also get a top class meal. Or if you’re looking for something more formal there’s a restaurant facing the river. Standard rooms have a traditional, country house feel, but you can upgrade to rooms in the actual house and those are really something - expect plenty of historic features and wonderful details.
In Blackpool
The Big Blue Hotel
- If you’re looking for great, family friendly value then the Big Blue Hotel is perfect. You’re also right next to the Pleasure Beach and there’s a wide range of modern rooms, starting from just £55 per night, in fact there are 157 rooms and suites – all modern and spotless – including family options with bunk beds for the children - and all decorated with Designer’s Guild fabrics.
For a relaxing stay
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- You might not think a Jacobean manor house would be the most relaxing place to bring your kids, but Woolley Grange in Bradford-upon-Avon has been turned into a luxury family retreat, with stunning grounds and gardens with pools. Its 26 comfortable, modern rooms are a great welcome after a day of activities, and the restaurant caters to even the pickiest eaters. Children clubs, games rooms, gardens and more gives parents a chance to relax at the spa.
For a Special Occasion
- Or in buzzy, nearby Rock there’s the St Enodoc Hotel, a golf hotel right on the beach with all sorts of great family activities on offer, from sailing to waterskiing and a two Michelin starred restaurant.
- Or, for more of a grand country house feel, try Lucknam Park near Bath, which is surrounded by 500 acres of parklands and gardens, and has its own equestrian centre and a Michelin starred restaurant.
Family Friendly Hotels to Escape to!
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- Fingals Hotel in Dittisham, Devon is a delightfully informal four room boutique B&B, which feels more like a house party than hotel, with lawn tennis, an indoor pool, some lovely art and an overflowing library. 'Quintessentially English' - this 17th Century house is full to the rafters with art and antiques and home to a fine lawn, an indoor pool, gym and grass tennis. Whether rooms or self-catering, the homely vibe is throughout. A magical spot!
- And the Devonshire Fell Hotel on the Duke of Devonshire’s estate in Yorkshire has wonderful views over picturesque Wharfedale village, great family-sized suites and a laid back brasserie.
For an unusual stay
- Augill Castle near Kirkby Stephen in Cumbria - midway between the Yorkshire Dales and a the Lake District, is a fabulous old family castle, brimming full of antiques and curios, and with a cookery school where kids are welcome.
- Or you could stay in a windmill: Cley Windmill, a characterful windmill B&B overlooking the Cley mashes, by a pretty village and a shingle beach.
Still not sure which to book?
- Expand your search to include all the best places to stay in the UK, and then use the refine tool to see our whole list of the best family friendly hotels in the UK,
- ore refine your search by location and search for the best family friendly hotels in the Lake District, for example?
- or contact one of our friendly Gurus for advice.