The best luxury family-friendly hotels in the south of England

For something intended to be relaxing, I quickly discovered that holidaying with little ones can be the opposite—everything from the packing to the change of routine can trigger chaos. It's now clear to me that if you’re looking to staycation at a luxury hotel, there’s a big difference between those which simply allow babies and children, and those which pride themselves on welcoming them.

Indeed, when it comes to being ‘family-friendly’, there’s a league of luxury hotels that are centred around convenience for those travelling with little ones in tow.

With all kinds of facilities provided—from in-room amenities like baby-changing kits and monitor services, to on-site crèches, kids’ clubs and playgrounds—and inclusive services like family mealtimes and splash sessions in the pools, I've uncovered some properties that excel at ensuring travel with children can be as luxurious as it is adventurous.

Below, see 11 of the best family-friendly hotels I've stayed at with my two children (and one on the way) in the south of England —from the Cotswolds to Cornwall.

New Park Manor, Hampshire

The perfect blend of practical and plush, New Park Manor is part of the revered Luxury Family Hotels group, meaning it’s as stylishly family friendly as it gets.

Recently reopened following a significant renovation, the New Forest property is stunning inside (the design nodding to the property’s roots as King Charles II’s hunting lodge, as well as ancient forest folklore) and out—with its enchanting grounds poised for woodland adventures.

The facilities really cement it as a favourite, too. At the Ofsted-registered Four Bears Den children’s club all guests are entitled to a two-hour session per night's stay, meanwhile there’s unrestricted swim times for little ones in the heated indoor and outdoor pools, a fully equipped games room with a cinema screen and popcorn, and an adventure playground boasting views of and the resident deer and ponies. Plus—a personal highlight—there’s a stellar family-friendly spa, with a state-of-the-art meditation pod and hot tubs submerged in the terrace. Adorably, those as young as three can participate in ‘Little ishga’ treatments, which range from mini massages to manicures and facials.

Mealtimes are a delight, too, with family dining options (complete with kids’ menus and puree options for the littlest, plus games on tap to keep everyone entertained), and an elegant bar serving nightcaps once they’re all tucked up – should your monitor system stretch that far (ours did!).

All-in-all New Park Manor is a complete crowd-pleaser. You—and they—needn’t even need to know that Peppa Pig World is a 20-minute drive away…

New Park Manor, Lyndhurst Road, Brockenhurst, Hampshire, SO42 7QH

Calcot & Spa, Gloucestershire

The new family suites became the cherry on top for families at this boutique spa hotel in rural Gloucestershire. With two bedrooms, courtyard gardens, roomy living areas and family essentials provided (from amenities to listening devices and nightlights), they are as pleasing to parents are they are to little ones. Outside the suites there’s much to keep all entertained: indoor and outdoor pools, a pirate ship play area and outdoor kitchen, bike hire, tennis courts and a mini football field. At the Play Barn and Mez, with its 12-seater cinema, daily childcare sessions are included in a stay, giving parents the chance to fully switch off (courtesy of the spa, we’d advise). At the hotel’s Gumstool Inn there’s a dedicated daily hour for children’s tea, and adults can either dine there too or at the the Conservatory restaurant—overlooking gardens and rolling Cotswolds countryside—while children are tucked up under the watch of babysitters, bookable via the hotel.

Calcot & Spa, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, GL8 8YJ

The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences, London

The perfect spot for a family staycay in the capital, The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences wows all ages who visit. Opt for one of the hotel’s private residences (with views of Mayfair or Green Park) which come with kitchens, sitting rooms, interconnecting bedrooms, child beds, cots and—most importantly—an array of toys. Tailored to your little ones’ likes (they enquire in advance!) expect anything from a ball pit to puzzles and Yoto audio players—those magical screen-free devices playing audiobooks, music and more.

Leave the kids enjoying their complimentary bedtime milk and cookies and steal a grownup night out—the ever-accommodating team can arrange experienced nannies or babysitters. If you don’t want to venture far, the hotel’s signature British restaurant, 116 at The Athenaeum, serves stunning dishes with locally sourced ingredients. You’ll also dine here for breakfasts, with the kids eating for free. We can highly recommend the pancakes which, again, are sure to satisfy everyone in the brood.

The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences, 116 Piccadilly, London W1J 7BJ

Beaverbrook, Surrey

If you’re after opulence, look no further than Beaverbrook, a country house estate set within glorious 470-acre grounds that overlook the Surrey Hills. Where some family-friendly hotels can compromise on style, this offers quite the contrary while maintaining a warmth that’s so welcomed when travelling with children.

You’ll all adore the cosy private cinema, adventure playground and swimming pools (indoors and out). The weekend and school holiday kids’ club, run by creative event experts Sharky & George, is something else. From treasure hunts and den building to laser tag and night safaris, they excel at memory making.

Family dining options include the The Garden House, The Pizzeria and even the Japanese Grill in The Dining Room—all of which come highly recommended for little ones and grown-ups alike. Plus, this summer, families can enjoy alfresco picnic lunches or dinners among the blooming flowers in Beaverbrook’s gardens. Expect beautifully decorated tables and cushioned blankets shaded by fringed parasols, and picnic baskets housing dedicated menus of food fresh from the kitchen.

Beaverbrook, Reigate Road, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 8QX

Bedruthan Hotel & Spa, Cornwall

While its sister hotel The Scarlet is adults-only, Bedruthan is a renowned retreat for families, having warmly welcomed children for more than 60 years. Positioned on the Cornish clifftops near Newquay, it’s ripe for outdoor adventures, from beach trips to lawn games on the large meadow overlooking the sea. When it comes to other activities—whatever the weather—it offers indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, an indoor cinema room, family spa sessions and guided arts and crafting. Parents can pack light when visiting, too: the hotel provides all kinds of kiddie equipment from buggies and baby carriers to bottle warmers and bibs. The Wild Café provides hearty and wholesome children’s meals, while evening dining at Ogo is delightful for grown-ups (here take advantage of the hotel’s partnership with babysitters at the Parent & Child Nanny Agency, making nights off easy).

Bedruthan Hotel & Spa, Mawgan Porth, Cornwall TR8 4BU

Perfect Stays, Cornwall, Devon, and Somerset

If self-catering appeals more, look to Perfect Stays which offers five-star rental properties in Cornwall, Devon, and Somerset. Either in staycation hotspots or somewhere more secluded, each comes with family-friendly facilities (think highchairs and travel cots as standard), with some boasting additional features like a kids’ bunker, indoor slide, climbing wall or trampoline. The company also provide a concierge service included with every booking, enabling services such as babysitting, a private chef for the evening or at-home wine tasting—once the little ones are tucked-up.

We stayed at Gwel Arvor in Port Isaac, a three-storey home with panoramic sea views. Ideal for multi-generational families or groups travelling together, there are five double bedrooms, a spacious kitchen/diner, living area and terrace, and a media room. Perfect for movie nights and gaming—complete with consoles and boardgames—there’s something for every age. The sun-trap garden is impressive too, with a hot tub, barbecue and ample garden furniture primed for socialising. Plus, the fishing village location feels family-centric in itself. A short stroll in one direction takes you to the picturesque port and beach (with rock pools to investigate) via eateries and boutiques, while the other leads you to Port Isaac Play Park with its café and broad coastal outlook. Nearby, Trevathan Farm is worth a visit for its animals, tractor rides, and ‘pick your own’ strawberries as well as Tintagel Castle, an impressive medieval fortification linked with the legend of King Arthur. You can’t fail to please all.

Gwel Arvor, Port Isaac, Cornwall – part of Perfect Stays, across Cornwall, Devon, and Somerset

Moonfleet Manor, Dorset

Overlooking the beautiful Jurassic Coast of Dorset, Moonfleet Manor is another hidden gem. The countryside estate comes with plenty to do indoors and out – whether that’s spending time together at the beach equipped with nets, buckets and spades (all provided!), getting active in the hotel’s mega-impressive activity centre or splashing about in the pool, reclining on bean bags with popcorn in the cinema room, or feasting on the adult's and children's afternoon tea. Bringing the dog? The Waggy Tails Tea Time and A La Bark menus will ensure your pet is as indulged as you all are.

Adult-only time is also encouraged, with in-room monitors allowing for dinner dates, plus there's 90 minutes’ daily complimentary childcare included at the kids' club for children up to the age of eight. Meanwhile, cosy up in one of the beautifully refurbished spaces to savour a drink and book by a crackling fire. What more could you need?

Moonfleet Manor, Fleet Road, Weymouth DT3 4ED

No.15 by GuestHouse, Bath

Within the impossibly charming cathedral city of Bath—on one of its most impressive streets—you’ll find GuestHouse’s first property, a decadently reimagined Georgian townhouse. Signature to the independent hotel group’s fun-loving style, No.15 by GuestHouse, Bath combines elements of pretty, playful and intrigue—with numerous touches appealing to children. Families can expect mini tipis in large guest rooms, housing bedtime books, wooden games and Yoto audio players (as praised above) with a library of cards. Corridor pantries are stocked with snacks, from homemade cakes to crisps, popcorn, and ice creams, while via the vinyl library – utilising the record players in each room—you can select the soundtrack to your stay. There's also complimentary use of Instax polaroid cameras, a special kids’ menu at the bar, and curious artworks to captivate throughout the hotel. Norland Nannies are available for babysitting and overnight stays, too, should you want to slip off to the spa alone, dine and drink downstairs after hours, or explore the graceful city centre.

No.15 by GuestHouse, Bath, 15 Great Pulteney Street, Bath, BA2 4BS

Homewood, Somerset

Ten minutes from the centre of Bath, within the bucolic Somerset hills, is Homewood—a grand Georgian country house with plush rooms and hot tub suites. Fun at first sight, the large grounds feature an outdoor children’s play area and eclectic artwork (think a giant topiary teddy and a stone poodle statue), while the interiors are similarly imaginative. Rooms marry tradition with modernity, featuring luxury amenities all the family will appreciate—from a Dyson hairdryer to Smeg coffee machine, 100 Acres toiletries, a flatscreen TV and Nintendo Switch. The generous family bedrooms come with cots or rollaway beds on request, and several of the other rooms are interconnecting which is ideal for those travelling with older children or in groups.

Downstairs, the Mediterranean-inspired restaurant—with its heavenly terrace—has a thoughtful yet crowd-pleasing menu. Using ingredients that are locally sourced, if not from the property’s ‘no-dig’ kitchen garden, dishes are delicious for all ages and tastes. Meanwhile, the complimentary larder, stocked with soft drinks, snacks and sweets, will fill any gaps between meals.

And then there’s the spa: with a heated outdoor lap pool welcoming children at all times, it infinitely adds to Homewood’s holiday spirit. Plus, kids stay free during school holidays. As if you needed another reason to visit.

Homewood, Abbey Lane, Freshford, Bath, Somerset, BA2 7TB

The Langley, Buckinghamshire

If you're seeking timeless luxury—look to The Langley, the freshly restored former manor home of the third Duke of Marlborough. Just 40 minutes from central London in leafy Buckinghamshire, the hotel's expansive grounds encompass picturesque gardens and woodland, serving as an idyllic playground for little explorers. Inside you'll find modern furnishings amidst historic features with a design that cleverly blends opulence and practicality (think spacious, elegantly appointed connecting rooms and suites ensuring ample space for relaxation).

Children are greeted with welcome gifts, while mini bathrobes and slippers await them in the rooms. They'll adore the outdoor and indoor swimming pools (the latter set within the exquisite spa), as well as visiting the hotel's resident pygmy goats, Cinnamon and Nutmeg.

During school holidays there's a dedicated bell tent set up with activities—including crafting, painting and water doodling, while games equipment is also available, from Lego to a large Connect 4. In partnership with Sharky & George, The Langley too provides kids' club sessions and holiday camps, with adventures taking place within the hotel surroundings. And, for some much-needed downtime, a cinema room can be hired for private family movie nights.

The chic restaurant, with its dedicated kids' menu, provides delectable options for all palates, though babysitting services can also be arranged upon request if you'd rather separate meal times (and enjoy yours uninterrupted).

The Langley, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Avenue Drive, Uxbridge Road, Iver, Slough SL3 6DU

Fowey Hall, Cornwall

Hard to imagine a children’s hotel with play dens, kid’s clubs and rabbits to feed but that still caters a full dose of luxury for the grown-ups, isn’t it? Well now you can book into the real deal by way of Fowey Hall. As if the location in the pretty coastal village of Fowey wasn’t enough (there will be a map in your room for the best spots, plus a net to go crabbing with for the kids), the hotel lays on a daily itinerary for your children. From story time with milk and cookies at 5pm, kid’s movies and popcorn from 6pm in the cinema, an always-on children's menu plus adult-free play time in the den with professional friendly childcare if you want time off, this is one break where you can switch off because the parental planning has been done for you. And while you may feel like your child’s plus one, adults can enjoy their time off lounging by the pool with a top-notch cocktail from the bar - if you can prize yourself off that giant bed in the well-designed bedroom, or perhaps booking in for an Ishga treatment in the spa (which the little ones are also invited to try, by the way).

Like New Park Manor and Moonfleet Manor, it's another member of the Luxury Family Hotels group, which really has cornered this market, making Fowey Hall the perfect seaside spot for kids that need some fun, and the tired parents in need of some respite who are lucky enough to go with them.

Fowey Hall Hotel, Hanson Drive, Fowey, Cornwall, PL23 1ET

This article first appeared in harpersbazaar.com/uk in August 2024. 

Lead image: Courtesy of New Park Manor

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