Britain’s Top Family Friendly Hotels

On the hunt for the perfect hotel for a last-minute October half-term trip, or planning ahead for a 2026 summer family break? Head to one of these luxurious child-friendly hotels, which offer spacious, practically designed rooms, creches, large grounds for running wild and an array of activities the kids will love (plus excellent food and spa facilities, because you need to enjoy it too).

These reviews were taken from Great British & Irish Hotels 2025

Hotels The Kids Will Love: The Best Child-Friendly Hotels

Bovey Castle, Dartmoor National Park, Devon

First opened as a hotel and golf resort in 1930 by Great Western Railways, Bovey Castle is set in 275 acres of Devon countryside, surrounded by Dartmoor National Park, and is part of the Eden Hotel Collection. Rooms are spread between the historic manor house and private mews, but there are also three-storey self-catering lodges in the grounds, ideal for families who want independence while still being able to dip into all the hotel has to offer. This could include watching a complimentary falconry display, collecting eggs from the estate’s chickens or craft workshops. The Smith Brasserie restaurant is family-friendly, but you can also choose to cook in your lodge (these come with fully equipped kitchens) – or order one of the in-lodge dining options. Dartmoor National Park is on your doorstep too, where the kids can get involved with everything from horse riding to bushcraft and archery.

Doubles from £325, boveycastle.com

Chewton Glen is home to a collection of luxurious treehouse suites

Chewton Glen, New Forest, Hampshire

Set in 130 acres of Hampshire countryside, on the edge of the New Forest and a few minutes from the coast, Chewton Glen delivers the definitive five-star country house hotel experience throughout the year. Many rooms have family-friendly bed options – but little ones will particularly love the treehouse stays, which are perched on stilts within the trees and feel like a real adventure. They come with kitchenettes, TVs with DVD players, with a mix of king and single beds for different sized families. Within the estate, you can enjoy all kinds of family-friendly activities: there’s a nine-hole golf course, tennis courts and a croquet lawn. Or simply unwind in the fabulous indoor and outdoor pools and the indulgent, award-winning spa – there’s something to satisfy everyone. Service is effortless too. Without doubt, this is one of the country’s finest hotels. 

Doubles from £500, chewtonglen.com

Calcot & Spa, Tetbury, Gloucestershire

Set within 220 acres of rewilded countryside, Calcot is the perfect spot for a family-friendly weekend in the Cotswolds. The flagship of The Calcot Collection, a small, eclectic hotel group, which includes Lord Crewe Arms and The Painswick, there’s a total of 34 refreshed and reinvigorated cream-hued rooms here. Family rooms and suites occupy converted cottages and barns, and the expansive grounds offer tennis, bike trails and more. The recently expanded spa is superlative – and should you be lounging in the indoor or outdoor pool or the hot tub, this time can be guaranteed uninterrupted thanks to an Ofsted-registered crèche. Saying that, little spa-goers are also welcome to swim in the indoor pool at dedicated times. An array of activities are put on during the school holidays – plus babysitting can also be arranged if you fancy a child-free dinner.

Doubles from £344; calcot.co

The Fish, Broadway, Worcestershire

Tucked away on Farncombe Estate in the Cotswolds, alongside Dormy House and Foxhill Manor, The Fish is a boutique property with some extraordinary features. Alongside country-chic rooms and suites in The Stables, The Outhouse and The Coach House, there are three show-stopping luxury treehouses accessed via a rope bridge – perfect for a family escape. Families will love Feasting on The Deck, an outdoor space where you can enjoy a three-course BBQ extravaganza. It’s a fabulous spot for families and dogs, with an array of activities available on the Adventure Field, children’s woodland play area, agility course specifically for canines and – are you ready? – an outdoor ‘dog tub’. 

Doubles from £225; thefishhotel.co.uk

The Bell at Charlbury, Charlbury, Oxfordshire

With its cosy nooks, log fires and orchard garden, this 17th-century pub in the market town of Charlbury is another Daylesford Stays triumph – and part of the collection which includes The Wild Rabbit. As always with Daylesford – the vision of Lady Bamford who opened the first farmshop in 2002 – the food is exceptional, with a Little Ones menu featuring goujons and chips, tomato penne and gelato for pudding. Generous Sunday roasts are cooked slowly over fire in The Barn – an open-plan feasting space that’s also perfect for family gatherings. In the summer, the huge garden is the place to enjoy wood-fired sourdough pizzas from the Garden Bar. The 12 beautiful bedrooms sitting above the pub and The Barn feel like a home away from home, with spacious rooms located in the oldest part of the venue. And throughout the year, The Bell hosts a series of craft, art and floristry workshops in The Barn, as well as Easter egg hunts and summer parties in the Garden.

Doubles from £152; thebellatcharlbury.com

The Montagu Arms, Beaulieu, Hampshire

Combining all the attributes of a traditional country house hotel – roaring log fires, oak panelling, pretty gardens and comfortable bedrooms – with a picturesque village setting, The Montagu Arms makes an ideal base for a family-friendly break. Take a riverside walk to Buckler’s Hard or explore the New Forest National Park. There are 33 bedrooms, with the House Suites best suited to families, featuring separate sleeping areas. The extensive House Menu has a kids section, and can be enjoyed wherever you feel most comfortable – whether that’s with the family at country pub Monty’s, alfresco in the flower-filled garden or in the smart dining room, The Terrace, which welcomes children over eight. 

Doubles from £200; montaguarmshotel.co.uk

Watersmeet Hotel, Woolacombe, Devon

The proud recipient of Condé Nast Johansens’ hugely prestigious Best Waterside Hotel for UK and Ireland 2024 award, Watersmeet boasts one of the most stunning locations in North Devon, offering dramatic views of the rolling surf and beyond towards Hartland Point, Baggy Point and Lundy Island. Overlooking Combesgate Beach, the property has its own private steps down to this sandy cove, which is perfect for bodyboarding, beach games and rock-pooling, and rarely gets crowded, even in peak season. There’s also an outdoor swimming pool, with shallow areas for younger swimmers, and the restaurant offers a kids menu featuring dishes like fish fingers and chips. In the lounge, meanwhile, families can play board games and puzzles, or even join one of Watersmeet’s movie nights, complete with popcorn.

Doubles from £210; watersmeethotel.co.uk

The Grand York, Yorkshire

Originally built in 1906 as a Palace of Business for the North Eastern Railway Company, The Grand, York lives up to its name, retaining much of its Edwardian splendour. Located in the heart of the historic city, this five-star hotel seamlessly blends heritage with modern luxury. The 207 beautifully designed rooms and suites are split across two wings – the original building, with its grand high ceilings and architectural quirks, and the contemporary wing. Categories include Grand Family Rooms, for families of four (with space for extra beds and travel cots) and the penthouse suite, which has views of York’s skyline from the rolltop bath. Dining options, meanwhile, include a wizard-themed afternoon tea, and The Rise, where little diners can enjoy dishes like macaroni, breaded chicken breast with French fries, and cookies and cream for dessert. For hands-on foodies, The Grand, York is also home to an award-winning Cookery School where classes include everything from bread-making to beef Wellington, and from Goan curry nights to a half-day dedicated to an Italian-themed feast. Look out for the parent-child courses to get your little ones started young. 

Classic Room from £209; thegrandyork.co.uk

The Manor House in Castle Combe

Set in the 12th-century Cotswolds village of Castle Combe, this honey-hued countryside manor offers an idyllic escape – from the riverside drive to pretty Italian gardens, lawns and several inviting lounges. There are family rooms with two double beds, plus the option to add extra beds or cots, and there are an array of outdoor and indoor games to choose from. The Castle Inn pub, in the heart of the village is the perfect spot for an afternoon family lunch, or you can treat the kids to a child-friendly afternoon tea in the hotel’s Bybrook restaurant. This hotel is also perfectly placed for outings: simply grab a map from the hotel and borrow Le Chameau wellies from reception for a walk, or venture further afield to Longleat Safari Park.

Doubles from £246; exclusive.co.uk