The best family-friendly hotels in the Cotswolds
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There’s a reason Americans travelling to the UK repeatedly stick the Cotswolds at the very top of their Blighty bucket lists. They can’t resist the siren call of its bucolic-and-considered countryside, its honey-hued thatched cottages and pretty villages, torn out of a children’s storybook and soft with the centuries. The region’s undulating landscape carved by oaks, preened hedges plump with wild blackberries and postcard country lanes hosts several boutique hotels that city folk and their broods break for, really whenever they can. They, along with the wide-eyed American tourists gawk at its misty hills, its rose gardens and handsome manor houses, never far from a pub whispering tales of Ye Olde England under beery breath.
The key here is knowing which ones are genuinely family-friendly – aka not the Cotswold-Notting Hill rendition of rural where muddy wellies in the house prompts shrieks of horror. No, family-friendly hotels must master the art of accepting the wild unpredictability of young children, the pain points of their weary parents desperate for a break and blast of fresh air, all while keeping things chic for those without them (or, crucially, away from them). Which is no easy feat.
A few have prevailed. From spa hotels with an Ofsted-registered creche and Play Barn to honey-hued manor house hotels tempting exhausted parents with complimentary babysitting hours, here are the most family-friendly hotels in the Cotswolds.
Jason IngramLe Manoir aux Quat'saisons, A Belmond Hotel
It’s a rare pleasure, Le Manoir. A delight to stroll through the gardens fragrant with 10 different types of mint, squeaking kites flying overhead, and neat rows of leeks and beds of big, blousy cabbages, ancient ponds sprouting with lily pads. A thrill to peek through polytunnels and glasshouses peppered with life, buds blossoming, shelves stacked with germinating pots, or sitting beneath ornamental trees next to sweet sculptures, the Oxfordshire hills rolling away from your toes. A joy to slouch on plump, stripy sofas, papers in one hand, small people quaffing homemade hot chocolate tucked in the other. Yes, this place might be in a fiercely grand 15th-century honey-hued mansion, but the grandness stops there; inside, it’s relaxed, unpretentious, chic and smart but insanely open-armed. “Children of any age are not only accepted but they are welcomed”, reads the cover of the menu at the two Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant. And they mean it. They’ll excitedly set up Teddy Bear’s picnics in your room, tea stands groaning with tot-friendly fruit kebabs and loaf cake, teepees brimming with books. There are seed kits to take home, gardening and cookery courses in the school holidays, owls in the aviary to meet, and a chance to discover, learn and roam freely, all while being wrapped in the dazzling and graceful charm of a world-renown country-house bolthole. It’s the pink-cheeked, garden-fresh lungful of English countryside air that every parent longs for. Annabelle Spranklen
Address: Church Rd, Great Milton, Oxford OX44 7PD
Price: Doubles from around £900 per night, on a B&B basis.
Estelle Manor
A playground bursting with all things elaborate, beautiful and gloriously ornate. Contemporary art fills Estelle Manor’s Jacobethan bones, heavy drapes, and a no-expenses-spared mélange of textured interiors and clubbable service. Playful and fun, this hotel and members' club don’t take themselves too seriously, which is good if you’re bringing the brood. Ensconced in 3,000 acres of parkland, with trails amid ancient oaks, teens can dump the grump and get stuck into archery, axe-throwing or falconry, there’s a fleet of adorable pistachio mini Landies for wee petrolheads or a chance to go on a foraging frenzy to gather wild fruits and vegetables; even eight-year-olds more used to saying “yuck” will be tucking into borage and edible flowers straight from the forest floor. Older kids have their own chilled hangout called The Den, where gaming, pool tables and games await. There are jam-packed, supervised adventure programmes during school holidays, too (members also have access to two free hours of childcare every day at the Nook kids’ club), ideal for when you want to creep off and relish in the delights of the new 3,000 square-metre Roman-inspired spa or sit back in adults-only Billiards Room, martini to hand. You’ll want to book one of the roomy, bohemian-styled Woodland Cottages or splash out on the five-bedroomed Farriers, with upstairs sleeping quarters for the kids and its own private garden. They (and you) will have to be dragged away. Annabelle Spranklen
Address: Eynsham, North Leigh, Park OX29 6PN
Price: Doubles from around £450 and the Woodland Cottage starts from £1,300 for four people.
Mr. TripperCowley Manor Experimental
Experimental Group, the youthful, Paris-based hoteliers who have brought fun and plenty of pizzazz to destinations around Europe, have recently taken over and Cowley Manor's newest reincarnation is better than ever. There’s a spark of contemporary design that hits all the right notes with grown-ups and children alike – think rabbit heads popping up all over the place, playing cards, chess boards and a discombobulating sense of scale throughout (inspired by the rumour that Lewis Carroll, a frequent visitor to Cowley Rectory, partly based Alice in Wonderland here). It might be drawing more of a party crowd these days, but families are still welcomed with open arms and little ones will adore exploring the 55 acres of swan-paddled lakes and woodland on offer here. Big families will want to book the Alpaca rooms, with teal-shaded walls and sofas that fold, origami-style, into bunk beds, or the three-storey Family Tree, both found in the stables part of the hotel. There’s dedicated family time in the outdoor pool every day too, and an excellent spa should you wing some precious time off-duty.
Address: Cowley, Cheltenham GL53 9NL
Price: Starting from £250 per night.
The Fish
If you’re after laid-back coolness in the Cotswolds, an arms-wide-open sort of place dressed up with bags of character and an A-team of staff, somewhere to actually get excited about when it comes to a chilled-out weekend in the sticks with your brood, you’ll adore The Fish. It’s sprawling, with 66 bedrooms and cosy-chic suites created from an old coach house, stables and a farmhouse, all peppered around its 500 acres. While couples love the romantic fairy-light-strewn shepherds' huts, families will want to bag one of the three treehouses that sit serenely on stilts above the bird-chattering woodland, with a separate bunk room for kids, sweeping terrace and outdoor twin tubs. There are other bigger suites too (you’ll want Lancaster which has its own private terrace, ideal for roaming toddlers), that come with wood burners and complimentary minibars stuffed with posh cans of ready-to-drink cocktails and gourmet nibbles. Stop by the boot room to borrow a pair of wellies and get stuck into some of the thrill-seeking adventures here – off-road buggies, hovercrafts, archery and falconry, or the natural playground for when they simply need to let off some steam. Don’t miss a chance to eat at the Hook, where you can tuck into twice-baked Comté souffle, Porthilly oysters and bbq monkfish tail (there’s a ‘tiddlers menu’ too plus they’ll provide all the child-friendly tableware), with staff who don’t sweat over mini meltdowns and a multitude of mess.
Address: Farncombe House, Campden Ln, Farncombe, Broadway WR12 7LH
Price: From £220 per night, on a B&B basis.
The Slaughters Country Inn
This sort of place, right in the heart of one of the Cotswolds’ prettiest villages, should be a secret. But it’s not. Families have long clocked on to this charming spot that sits on the banks of the River Eye, with quacking ducks, toasty fires and oodles of space for little legs to toddle. While its grown-up sister, Slaughters Manor House, sits directly opposite, Slaughters Country Inn is geared up to offer a more casual escape, where little ones are scooped up and taken care of, with welcome bags, special menus and essential kit at your disposal (cutlery, baby monitors, sterilising kits, changing mats, they have it all). There are heaps of room options to go for – whether it’s a family suite like Chapel House, that’s big enough for five with its own private garden and seating area, or one of the six cottages, which offer a first-floor bedroom, and separate living area on the ground floor. The brasserie-style food – roast lamb rump, beer-battered fish and chips, and pea, ricotta and wild garlic macaroni – is parent-pleasing, as is the fact you can hop across to the Manor House for a G&T as and when you feel like it (with or without your clan).
Address: Lower Slaughter, Cheltenham GL54 2HS
Price: Doubles from £175 on a bed and breakfast basis.
OLA O SMITThe Lakes By YOO
This 850-acre Cotswold estate – formerly a quarry – with 160 private homes, waterside cabins and apartments around 11 freshwater lakes, is a haven for well-heeled families seeking refuge from the city, where lungfuls of fresh air and the great outdoors beacon. You don’t have to be one of the billionaire owners to come here though because there’s a scattering of magazine-worthy holiday homes to nab for a weekend, with floor-to-ceiling windows, large terraces, log burners and film-set worthy kitchens ready to host you and your dearest. Spend your time pedal-powering through the estate, with Scandinavian-style trailers made for carting around small people at the back or trying one of the adrenaline-pumped adventures; zip lines, high ropes, trapeze, climbing walls, not to mention a brand new kids’ club that will see them whisked off into the wild for teddy bears picnics and den-building. An ideal time, perhaps, to check out the estate’s new wellness centre for a Kate Moss-approved facial and massage treatment.
Address: High Street, Lechlade GL7 3DT
Price: Cabins from £995 per night. Apartments from £1,050 per night. Minimum length of stay outside of holidays is two nights.
Lucknam Park
Just 6 miles from Bath’s handsome crescents and splendid antiquity, the equally splendid Lucknam Park is a sure-hit for families. 500 acres of subtly tamed parkland are dotted with rustic-but-refined private cottages (for those in need of the space, but also the service), while bed and cots can be added to resplendent rooms in the main butter-milk 18th century house. Parents would be wise to opt for the Chester Package for children under 12, which includes an extra bed in the room, breakfast, a welcome teddy and access to The Hideaway indoor and outdoor play area with Tractor Ted and the use of the pool during family hours. Endless country pursuits keep energetic bambinos engaged and well-exercised, from archery to duck herding. But Lucknam’s really all about horse riding, which is top-drawer and the ultimate introduction to ponies for little ones. They’ll cherish the sense of freedom that accompanies trotting out into the Wiltshire countryside. While boredom rarely features on the Lucknam agenda, Longleat Safari Park and the postcard-worthy village of Castle Combe is an easy drive away.
Address: Lucknam Park, Chippenham SN14 8AZ
Price: Rooms from about £344 per night.
Woolley Grange
A beloved Cotswold retreat for families (as well as the baby brigade) this Wiltshire wunder-hotel pulls a proverbial rabbit out of a hat for children with a wildly imaginative roster of activities and parent perks. Don’t be fooled by the rather austere, ‘to the manor born’ exterior, inside the team are ready to perform backflips to ensure weary parents get that well-deserved break they’ve been longing for. From the ‘Baby’s First Stay Away’ package (featuring rare perks such as complimentary on site babysitting and baby’s first swim sessions) to the Ofsted-registered Woolley Bears Den and a Hen House hangout for older children, this hotel has smoothed all the pain points of travelling with broods in tow. They’ve even covered the fictional lie in, peeling toddlers off exhausted parents and piling them into breakfast club. When they’re not building dens in 14 acres of meadows and woodland, or mastering croquet on the lawn, little ones can be treated to a Mini-Me Children’s Massage with all-natural Bramley lotions and potions. Somehow, this is all achieved while keeping Woolley Grange a soul-nourishing, hearty country stay for adults too, with creative locavore menus, genteel, antique-clad bedrooms and a pampering spa tucked in a walled garden.
Address: Woolley Green, Bradford-on-Avon BA15 1TX
Price: Doubles from about £130 per night.
Paul MasseyArtist Residence Oxfordshire
If holing up in a kitsch-and-cosy Cotswold hotel (only to escape for long, woodland rambles and chocolate-box village safaris) is on the agenda, drop your bags (and broods) at Artist Residence Oxford. This reimagined 16th-century inn honours its squire-era character with exposed beams, velvet touches and dark sultry hues, a cosy canvas for zeitgeisty tasselled benches and driftwood four-posters. The service mimics the hotel’s warming, home-from-home design agenda, with niche requests never too much trouble, say, for instance, sterilising bottles or cooking up specific dishes for fussy bambinos. While all Artist Residences share this trait (and the fabulous backstory), the Oxford outpost’s Stable room, Stable Suite and Barn Suite – all converted outbuildings – offer up oodles of space for cots and the endless piles of family luggage, as well as private entrances (a blessing for prams and noisy nippers). Here, families can sink into armchairs, warming their toes in front of a crackling log fire following brisk walks through sun-doused fields and along dandelion-fringed lanes. Lobster lunches and negronis can be delivered to parents for a cot-side supper, while families no longer beholden to early bedtimes can head to the Residence’s Mason Arms for a cosmopolitan spin on an old country pub. Read our full Artist Residence review.
Address: Station Rd, South Leigh, Witney OX29 6XN
Price: Doubles from about £120 per night.
Adam LynkLygon Arms
This 16th-century coaching inn occupies a central spot along Broadway Village’s main stretch (busy for the Cotswolds is a few Range Rover and Bentleys tailing an obstinate tractor). Inside, traditional ruddy-faced, country pub interiors play to the crowd – a large chunk of which remain welly-booted and Schoffel’d by the fire. This fraction feels most at home among the cold flagstones, the roasty hues and creaky stairs that lead to Dickensian-esque, high-ceilinged rooms. The other heads to the courtyard suites (particularly the families) for that refurbished, modern (albeit tartan) aesthetic, little terraces and heaps of space. Children’s minds will reel at the guestbook – signed by historical heavy weights such as Oliver Cromwell and Charles I, who undoubtedly would have approved of the hotel’s dog-friendly policy and its chichi Le Chameau-themed canine stay packages. Kingly pursuits roll out on the lawn after spoiling breakfasts: competitive family clay shooting, archery, falconry and even foraging. A grand restaurant with a stucco ceiling and cosy banquettes is large enough for families to gently josh around in, without raising any eyebrows. And its menus have been cleverly tailored to children, without sliding into sausage and mash territory.
Address: High St, Broadway WR12 7DU
Price: Doubles from about £195 per night.
Ellenborough Park
This rambling 15th-century manor lords over 90-acres of Brideshead Revisited-style parkland and triumphantly removes itself from the “children-should-be-seen-and-not-heard” mantra that so often grips country pile hotels. Like an aristocrat softened with age, Ellenborough Park warmly embraces families with treasure hunts, Bainton bikes to explore the grounds on and complimentary wellies and coats to ward off excuses for missing long dog walks (even the family pooch can pile in, with 12 dog-friendly rooms). Traditional country house interiors are gently turned up a notch to form a Nina Campbell wallpapered warren of chintz-but-charming rooms dressed in mahogany furniture, heavy curtains and roll top bath tubs. Children in top floor rooms can trace the Tudor beams from their beds and ruminate on the centuries of history that unfolded below them. Downstairs, and with a top-drawer babysitter installed, parents can reward themselves with gin and tonics in the suave Horse Box Bistro before moving to the Brasserie booths for a buttoned-down, exquisite menu of clever riffs on Franglais classics. Children are welcome here, though the well-behaved sort are welcome to stay on past 8pm…
Address: Southam Ln, Cheltenham GL52 3NJ
Prices: Doubles from about £299 per night.
David PooleBruern Cottages
Tucked discreetly between the lovely (and A-lister heavy) Cotswolds villages of Chipping Norton and Burford, Lady Astor’s impossibly pretty Bruern Abbey looks proudly over landscaped grounds. Scattered around these like pearls escaping a string are a series of dainty cottages. These have been carefully renovated to preserve their Cotswoldian charm: in some, refined country sofas press up against bookshelves, in others, thick creamy curtains frame manicured gardens, and in all, a roaring fire calls for biscuits and boardgames. Interiors aside, Bruern’s grounds are decked in various cabins, playgrounds and climbing frames that send children wild, racing from the breakfast table to fill their boots and imaginations. The Wendy house is the show-stopper, a two-storied marvel which sprogs can scramble up to snooze in the canopied bed or serve tea to siblings and visiting grown-ups in the kitchen downstairs. When not diving into the play cabin’s dressing up box, getting creative on the easel or cavorting around the grounds in a go-cart, broods can accompany their parents to the indoor and outdoor pool. Harder-to-please older kids can hunker down in the Games Room with the full works (pool tables to PS4s). Above all, a serious spa, housekeeping services and breakfast and lunch hampers championing Cotswoldian fare offer parents the perks of a hotel, just without dreaded treading on eggshells around other guests.
Address: Bruern, Chipping Norton OX7 6QA
Prices: Cottages from about £630 per night
Calcot & Spa
With its clipped-but-cosy interiors, knockout spa and 220-acres of rewilded meadowland scattered in treehouse stays, Calcot & Spa has long been a Cotswoldian favourite with families. Lavender seems to waft from every corner, unpretentious restaurants serve up radically local (and exquisitely cooked) plates, and parents can recalibrate in a fireside hot tub or on one of the warm treatment beds, under the agile hands of therapists. Not only did the already-phenomenal spa receive a hefty refresh this year, but Calcott added two new cavernous family suites. As a welcome legacy of lockdown, one of these assumes the style and privacy of a self-contained cottage with its own pretty courtyard where families can gather for marshmallows and stargazing around a firepit. ‘I’m bored’ is a phrase rarely uttered here, not with a Trim Trail for long country romps and bike rides, tennis courts and acres and acres of wildflowered wilderness to explore. Smaller sprogs will be drawn to the private ship and outdoor kitchen play area, when they’re not in the Playbarn or Ofsted-approved creche (the full baby compendium, from next-to-me cots to sterilisers, is offered here for parents travelling with tinies), while children above eight can make for The Mez for slightly more grown-up fun.
Address: Gloucestershire, Tetbury GL8 8YJ
Price: Doubles from £259, the new Cosy Family Room from £664 per night on a B&B basis based on a family of four sharing.
Martin MorrellThe Wild Rabbit
The latest addition to Carole Bamford’s Cotswoldian kingdom, The Wild Rabbit is only a few paddocks down from its organic HQ, Daylesford. Interiors seize upon the same puritanically natural theme as Dayelsford’s leeks and slabs of grass-fed steak, with silver birch-branch four posters, thick linen bed throws and rope-wrapped side tables. The pub’s plush, earthy-toned Hedgehog room can sleep two adults and two children (0-12), while a smattering of cottages and houses encasing the pub guarantees families privacy, just with hotel service and Chef Sam Bowser’s tasty seasonal plates a few yards away. Foodie families, conscious of provenance and quality, will relish the Daylesford organic lamb with glazed carrots, the fresh asparagus salads (in spring, of course) and hearty puddings such as baked Brillat-Savarin cheesecake decorated in garden strawberries. Daylesford Farm’s proximity is a godsend, once cabin fever hits and children can spill out into the woods for guided walks or check into junior cooking classes, (while parents hide in the Bamford Spa).
Address: Church St, Kingham, Chipping Norton OX7 6YA
Prices: Rooms from £125, cottages from £350.