Christmas is out of the way, the New Year is in full swing, so it’s time to look forward to the next date in the holiday calendar; half term. With oodles of fun for kids of all ages, here are 10 of the Good Hotel Guide’s favourite family friendly hotels for half term…
Trefeddian Hotel, Wales
Unfailingly cheerful and spectacularly located on Cardigan Bay, Trefeddian Hotel is a favourite amongst all who visit. It was the winner of Best Loved Hotel’s Bring the Kids Award 2015, has Family Rooms and Superior Rooms that can sleep up to two adults and four children. It has child friendly dining and a children's outdoor play areas as well as beautiful beaches close by to visit as well.
Woolley Grange, Wiltshire
Part of the Luxury Family Hotels group, it is said that parents sleep like babies at this fantastic family-friendly hotel, a Jacobean manor house in glorious Wiltshire countryside. Woolley Grange is surrounded by chocolate-box perfect Cotswolds countryside and offers free childcare, lots of children’s activities and all the facilities for parents to enjoy time out as well with a charming spa and spectacular grounds.
Porth Tocyn Hotel, Wales
Described as ‘lovely’ and ‘wacky’ by one reviewer, Porth Tocyn Hotel is another charming family friendly hotel overlooking Cardigan Bay. Welcoming, happy, smiley and with a beautiful swimming pool to enjoy in addition to the awe-inspiring surroundings, the hotel has dedicated areas for children including a cosy snug complete with a TV, videos, games and table tennis. Cots and highchairs are readily available, ad well as child friendly dining - everything is done to make every effort to accommodate all your needs during your stay.
The Colonsay, Scotland
Carefree and informal, The Colonsay is an 18th century inn that sits up a single track road from the ferry close by. With magnificent views across to Jura, Scarba and the Corrievreckan whirlpool, it’s a total escape and fun for the whole family with boat trips, beaches, fishing and a generally genial vibe that welcomes everyone - it’s childhood entertainment in the old fashioned, heart warming, get-outside-and-get-a-little-muddy sense.
Bedruthan Hotel and Spa, Cornwall
Indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, pottery studio, art gallery, theatre, art and design fairs, playgrounds and kites, not to mention the beautiful beaches close by, Bedruthan Hotel and Spa is a winning choice for families. It’s a natural playground with extra bells and whistles provided, all surrounded by chic Scandinavian design with a Cornish twist. They were voted the top hotel for families by the Sunday Times and best UK accommodation at the Family Traveller Awards in 2015, and offer kids clubs, free childcare and can even provide baby backpacks so that everyone can get out and enjoy the beautiful countryside!
Tresanton, Cornwall
On a hill, up a a higgledy-piggledy path, a cluster of houses forms a faultless hotel whose panoramic views reach across Falmouth Bay towards St Anthony’s lighthouse. This is hotel Tresanton, where blue and white interiors add to the seaside vibe thanks to designer Olga Polizzi, has three family suites and several interconnecting rooms that can take either an extra bed or cot. There’s also a children’s playroom, which has a good selection of toys and a large flat screen TV with a DVD library and playstation, a cinema room, and a children’s tea available all day.
Moonfleet Manor, Dorset
Another of the Luxury Family Hotels’ spectacular venues, Moonfleet Manor combines elegance with child friendly facilities. In beautiful Dorset, the Georgian manor house has pools, family films, play facilities, a crèche and an early-morning breakfast club to keep little ones entertained, and that’s before you get to the simple joy of the location itself. Relax while little ones climb trees and play games in the grounds, and sit back while they enjoy the sand pit or take them rockpooling at nearby coves.
Fowey Hall, Cornwall
Rumoured to have been author Kenneth Graham’s model for Toad Hall in The Wind in the Willows, could there be anywhere more perfect for a family holiday? Overlooking the estuary at Fowey where you can watch the boats drift by, pick and mix from the panoply of family-friendly options and activities: collect eggs from the hens, walk Bramble, the dog, bounce on a trampoline, or take a bucket and spade to the beach. There is a child friendly menu available, and all the while staff couldn’t be nicer.
Augill Castle, Cumbria
With friendly smiles and a warm atmosphere all round, this Victorian fantasy castle is a longstanding favourite amongst all who visit. Augill Castle is all about cosy fires and indulgence without ceremony. There’s a grand piano and music books, a cinema complete with popcorn, and outside there’s 20 acres to explore where you’ll find a well loved tree house, tennis court and playground. Family rooms, highchairs and monitors are all supplied and if you want to venture behind the hotel, there’s plenty to see and do nearby as well.
Longueville Manor, Jersey
A lovingly restored Jersey manor house, Longueville Manor is a member of the exclusive Relais & Châteaux worldwide collection of luxury hotels where the grounds are a natural playground with activities ranging from kid's croquet, nature trails, swimming, tennis and more. Kids play area, children's menus, early suppers, DVD library, babysitting and baby listening and in school holidays extra activities can be arranged including treasure hunts, tennis lessons, cookery classes and nature trails. Fun, games and a little luxury for the whole family!
From a selection of hotels from the Good Hotel Guide.